Most Reviewed Daycares in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
Choosing the right daycare in Santa Monica, CA can be overwhelming. With 33 daycares operating across the Santa Monica 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 Monica, California using total review volume, which reflects the breadth of client experience and community trust. We reviewed 33 active businesses in the Santa Monica market and selected the top 15 for this list.
By the numbers: Guide Score percentages on this list range from 49% 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 Monica.
The Top 15 Daycares in Santa Monica, CA
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#1 First Step Nursery School 49%
Ranked 1st among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
First Step Nursery School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://firststepnurseryschool.com/.
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#2 Cassidy Preschool 49%
Ranked 2nd among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Cassidy Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://cassidypreschool.com/.
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#3 The First School 49%
Ranked 3rd among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
The First School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, school, home service. Website: http://www.thefirstschool.org/about/contactus/.
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#4 The Early Years School 49%
Ranked 4th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
The Early Years School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.theearlyyearsschool.com.
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#5 Smartstart Preschool 49%
Ranked 5th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Smartstart Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://smartstartschool.com/.
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#6 First School 49%
Ranked 6th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
First School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: http://www.thefirstschool.org.
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#7 Growing Place at Marine Park 49%
Ranked 7th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Growing Place at Marine Park is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: https://www.growingplace.org/about-us.
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#8 The Growing Place 49%
Ranked 8th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
The Growing Place is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.growingplace.org/.
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Ranked 9th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
The Children's Place Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.childrensplacepreschool.org/.
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#10 Montana Preschool & Toddlers 49%
Ranked 10th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Montana Preschool & Toddlers is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://montanapreschoolsantamonica.com/.
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#11 Dreamland Preschool 49%
Ranked 11th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Dreamland Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.dreamlanddaycarecenters.com/.
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#12 Garden of Angels School 49%
Ranked 12th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Garden of Angels School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: http://www.garden-of-angels.com/.
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#13 Little Dolphins By the Sea 49%
Ranked 13th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Little Dolphins By the Sea is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.littledolphins.org/.
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#14 Lighthouse Preschool 49%
Ranked 14th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Lighthouse Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://thelighthousechristianpreschool.com.
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Ranked 15th among daycares in this market based on overall Guide Score.
First United Methodist Church School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://santamonicaumc.org/preschool-directors-m…
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How We Ranked These Daycares
This list ranks daycares by total verified review count, reflecting the breadth of their client base and community trust. Ties are broken by Guide Score.
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 Monica?
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 Monica, CA?
As of 2026, First Step Nursery School holds the #1 ranking in Santa Monica 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 Monica?
Our database currently tracks 33 active daycares in the Santa Monica, CA metro area. This list highlights the top 15 based on Guide Score. Browse our full Santa Monica 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 Monica?
We recommend evaluating: (1) professional certifications and credentials, (2) verified customer reviews and ratings, (3) years of experience in the Santa Monica 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.