KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado
KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado is a licensed child care center in La Mesa, CA, licensed for up to 83 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 1985. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 6 times and investigated 6 complaints, 1 of them substantiated. The state issued 8 citations, 1 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for training & qualifications (4 of 8). 4 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 Type A. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #26 of 32 centers in La Mesa and has more citations per inspection than 76% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on interviews the facility did not comply with the section cited above, when C1 was left without supervision in the preschool restroom for estimated 2-3 minutes, which posed an immediate Health and Safety risk for children in care.
Based on interviews, the Director did not report to licensing that C1 was left without supervision in the preschool restroom for estimated 2-3 minutes, which posed a potential Health and Safety risk for children in care.
Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above when 1 out of 7 staff did not have mandated reporter training certification which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above when 3 out of 7 staff did not have health screening, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that S1 qualifies as an aide and was observed in Preschool Classroom 2 with 12 children and was not under the supervison of a teacher which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in one out of five persons as Staff 1 did not have immunizations records for pertussis and mealses during time of inspection which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in one out of five persons which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in one out of 41 persons as an Epi-Pen for C1 expired on 10/31/2022, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Complaint investigations
Staff left a child in the restroom unattended.
Staff did not comply with reporting requirements.
How often are complaints about daycares in San Diego County substantiated? See the county-by-county report →
About this center
Other licenses at this address
Common questions
Does KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children. An infant center is licensed separately at the same address (listed below).
Has KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado had any serious violations?
California issued 1 Type A citation since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on May 21, 2026, for care and supervision. Each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado?
California investigated 6 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 1. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.
How does KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado compare with other daycares in La Mesa?
It is tied for #26 of 32 centers in La Mesa by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 76% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado last inspected?
Apr 8, 2026. No citations were issued during that visit.
How much does KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in San Diego County, which includes La Mesa, was $1,013 a month for preschoolers (about $1,280 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs KinderCare Learning Center - Via Mercado?
The licensee is Knowledge Universe Education LLC, and the administrator listed with the state is Marcela Zavala.
Licensed centers nearby
3655 Via Mercado, La Mesa · under 0.1 mi away · 36 spotsMore citations than mostLearning Jungle Rancho San Diego - Preschool
3605 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa · 0.3 mi away · 72 spotsToo few inspections to compareLearning Jungle Rancho San Diego - Infant
3605 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa · 0.3 mi away · 48 spotsToo few inspections to compareSkyline Child Development Center
11330 Campo Road, La Mesa · 0.4 mi away · 45 spotsMore citations than mostSkyline Child Development Center
11330 Campo Road, La Mesa · 0.4 mi away · 72 spotsAmong the most citedABC Barn Children's Place
10842 Fury Lane, La Mesa · 0.4 mi away · 87 spotsMore citations than most
Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 370805497 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.