Daycares and Preschools in California
We list 12,472 daycares in 760 California cities and towns. Pick a city to compare them, or send one request and let local daycares come to you.
Cities in California
Smaller towns (256)
How to choose a daycare
Look up the state license
Every state licenses child care centers, and most also license home daycares above a certain size. Many states post inspection reports and violations online, so search your state's child care licensing website for the program and read the latest reports.
Ask about ratios and group sizes
Ask how many children each caregiver looks after in your child's age group and how large the groups are. Lower ratios matter most for infants and toddlers, and a good program will tell you its numbers without hesitation.
Tour during a normal day
Visit mid-morning when children are there, not after hours. Watch how staff talk to the kids, whether rooms are clean and safe, and whether children seem engaged rather than parked in front of screens.
Check staff training and turnover
Ask about background checks, CPR and first aid training, and how long the lead teachers have been there. Frequent staff turnover can be hard on young children, so it is a fair question to ask directly.
Read the policies before signing
Get the parent handbook and check tuition, deposits, late pickup fees, sick child rules, holiday closures and how much notice you must give to leave. A program that will not share written policies is a red flag.
What it typically costs
These are typical US ranges, and child care prices vary a great deal from state to state and city to city, so always confirm current tuition with each program.
Infant care costs the most because babies need more staff per child, and prices run highest in large metro areas.
Prices usually drop a little as children get older and ratios increase.
Home daycares often cost less than centers, with rates set by each provider.
The price depends on how many days and hours a week, and some public pre-K programs are free for eligible children.
Common questions
How much does daycare cost in your area?
It depends mostly on your child's age and the type of program, with infant care usually the most expensive. Centers tend to cost more than licensed home daycares. Call a few programs in your area for current tuition, since rates often change each year.
When should I start looking for daycare?
Start as early as you can, ideally several months before you need care, and even earlier for an infant. Many centers have waitlists, especially for infant rooms. Some families join waitlists during pregnancy.
What is the difference between daycare and preschool?
Daycare usually offers full-day, year-round care starting in infancy, while preschool focuses on early learning for children about 3 to 5 years old, often on a school-year schedule. Many centers offer both under one roof. Because the line varies by program, ask what a typical day looks like.
How do I check a daycare's license and inspection history?
Search your state's child care licensing website, which usually lists licensed programs along with their inspection reports. You can also call the licensing office to ask about complaints or violations. Ask the program for its license number so you can find it quickly.
What staff-to-child ratio should a daycare have?
Each state sets its own minimum ratios by age, with the fewest children per adult for infants. Ask each program for the ratio and group size in your child's room and compare it with your state's rules. Some accredited programs keep groups smaller than the state minimum.
Can I find part-time or drop-in daycare in your area?
Sometimes, but many centers only enroll full-time or set part-time schedules. Home daycares are often more flexible about days and hours. Ask each program in your area what schedules it offers and whether part-time spots cost more per day.