Best Daycares in Santa Ana, CA (2026)
Choosing the right daycare in Santa Ana, CA can be overwhelming. With 15 daycares operating across the Santa Ana metro area, how do you separate the truly exceptional from the merely adequate? At The Daycare Directory, we analyze publicly available data to rank every daycare on a transparent, editorial basis -- no paid placements, no sponsored rankings.
This 2026 ranking evaluates daycares in Santa Ana, California using our Guide Score percentage, which normalizes captured evidence from reviews, credentials, press recognition, web presence, experience, and profile completeness. We reviewed 15 active businesses in the Santa Ana market and selected the top 15 for this list.
By the numbers: Guide Score percentages on this list range from 29% to 49%. Updated July 2026.
Each entry below includes the business's Guide Score, star rating, review count, and a data-driven explanation of why they earned their spot. Click through to any profile for the full breakdown including contact information, specialties, credentials, and related businesses in Santa Ana.
The Top 15 Daycares in Santa Ana, CA
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#1 The Big Backyard Preschool 49%
Ranked 1st among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
The Big Backyard Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://bigbackyardoc.com/.
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Ranked 2nd among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
South Coast Metro Children's Village is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://childrensvillagepreschool.com.
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#3 Kidspia Preschool 49%
Ranked 3rd among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Kidspia Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.kidspiapreschool.com/.
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Ranked 4th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
SAUSD - Early Childhood Education is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, school. Website: http://www.sausd.us/ece.
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#5 Sunflower Preschool 49%
Ranked 5th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Sunflower Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.sunflowerpreschoolsantaana.com/.
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Ranked 6th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Storybook Preschool and Kindergarten is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, home service. Website: http://www.storybookpreschoolsantaana.com/.
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Ranked 7th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Love 2 Learn Preschool & Kindergarten is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.love2learnpreschool.com.
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#8 Kiddie Academy of Santa Ana 49%
Ranked 8th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Kiddie Academy of Santa Ana is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: https://kiddieacademy.com/academies/santa-ana/.
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Ranked 9th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Plumfield Preschool and Kindergarten is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, home service. Website: http://www.plumfieldschool.com/home.html.
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#10 Children's Village Preschool 49%
Ranked 10th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Children's Village Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://childrensvillagepreschool.com/.
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#11 Santa Clara Nursery School 37%
Ranked 11th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Santa Clara Nursery School is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, private school, religious school. Website: http://adoptamission.com.
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#12 Mexican American Preschool 37%
Ranked 12th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Mexican American Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.maof.org.
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Ranked 13th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Santa Ana , Unified School District, Head Start State Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.ochsinc.org/community/index.php/ochs-locations.
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#14 Ricca Children's Learning Center 37%
Ranked 14th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Ricca Children's Learning Center is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://www.karpos.co.jp/ricca2012.
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#15 Cano State Preschool 29%
Ranked 15th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Cano State Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Ana, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool.
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How We Ranked These Daycares
Our Guide Score percentage combines verified ratings, review volume, web presence, profile completeness, professional credentials, press recognition, and experience. Scores are normalized across categories where positive evidence was captured, so a missing category is shown as not captured rather than counted as a failing grade. No business can pay for a higher ranking.
Data sources include Google Business Profile, professional registries, portfolio sites, press databases, and direct business submissions. Every piece of data is publicly verifiable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did we rank the best daycares in Santa Ana?
The Daycare Directory ranks daycares using our Guide Score percentage, a composite metric computed from publicly available data. The score uses weighted evidence from ratings, review volume, web presence, profile completeness, credentials, press recognition, and experience, then normalizes across categories where positive evidence was captured. Categories with no captured signal are not counted as failing grades. There is no paid placement -- every ranking is purely editorial.
Who is the #1 daycare in Santa Ana, CA?
As of 2026, The Big Backyard Preschool holds the #1 ranking in Santa Ana with a Guide Score of 49%. Rankings are recalculated with every data update and reflect the latest available information.
How often is this list updated?
Core data (ratings, reviews, contact information) is re-verified on a rolling monthly cadence. Credentials and awards are audited quarterly. Guide Scores recalculate automatically with every data update, so rankings may shift as new reviews are posted or credentials are verified.
How many daycares are there in Santa Ana?
Our database currently tracks 15 active daycares in the Santa Ana, CA metro area. This list highlights the top 15 based on Guide Score. Browse our full Santa Ana directory to see every listed business.
Can a daycare pay to be ranked higher?
No. The Daycare Directory does not accept payment for rankings. Guide Scores are computed algorithmically from verified public data. Businesses can claim and update their profile with accurate information, but the ranking algorithm treats all profiles equally. Our editorial independence is core to our methodology.
What should I look for when hiring a daycare in Santa Ana?
We recommend evaluating: (1) professional certifications and credentials, (2) verified customer reviews and ratings, (3) years of experience in the Santa Ana market, (4) portfolio quality and range of work, (5) budget alignment with your project scope, and (6) responsiveness and communication style. Our Guide Score weighs these factors so you can compare at a glance.