Best Daycares in San Francisco, CA — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 50 daycares and childcare centers in San Francisco based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in San Francisco

  1. #1 — Little People Preschool and T K Score: 100%

    Little people preschool & TK

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  2. #2 — Teaching Tots Preschool Score: 91%

    Teaching Tots Preschool San Francisco, CA

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  3. #3 — Montessori Children’s Center Score: 84%

    Montessori Children's Center

    Programs: Montessori. View full profile →

  4. #4 — Project Commotion Score: 83%

    Project Commotion: Child development, movement, play & community

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  5. #5 — Stepping Stones Preschool Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  6. #6 — Discovery Land Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  7. #7 — St. Pauls Littlest Angel Preperatory Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  8. #8 — Playmates Cooperative Nursery School Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Little People Preschool and TK Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, Home service. View full profile →

  10. #10 — Baby Steps Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  11. #11 — Lakeside Presbyterian Center For Children Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  12. #12 — John McLaren Early Education School Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →

  13. #13 — Acorn Nursery School Score: 76%

    Programs: Preschool, Education, School. View full profile →

  14. #14 — Sweet Peas Preschool Score: 74%

    Sweet Peas Preschool | Preschool | Bernal Heights

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  15. #15 — facessf Score: 74%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/732239389. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Noe Valley Nursery School Score: 71%

    Noe Valley Nursery School

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Friends Of Potrero Hill Nursery School Score: 71%

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  18. #18 — Ark Christian Pre-School Score: 71%

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  19. #19 — Smart & Fun Preschool Score: 71%

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, School. View full profile →

  20. #20 — Buen Dia Family School Score: 69%

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, School. View full profile →

  21. #21 — Mission Montessori Score: 63%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/282917235. Type: montessori. Program signals: montessori. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: Montessori. View full profile →

  22. #22 — Hands and Hearts Daycare and Preschool Score: 63%

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  23. #23 — Sunrise Christian Preschool Score: 63%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  24. #24 — Montessori House Of Children Score: 63%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, School. View full profile →

  25. #25 — Brotherhood Way Preschool Score: 61%

    Programs: Preschool, School, Education. View full profile →

  26. #26 — Growing Stem Academy Score: 60%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  27. #27 — San Francisco Montessori Academy Score: 60%

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →

  28. #28 — Puddle Jumpers Workshop Daycare Co-op Score: 60%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  29. #29 — SF Tikes Academy Score: 60%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  30. #30 — Banana Fana Preschool Score: 60%

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Our Guide Score percentage combines Google rating (35%), review volume (20%), web and contact presence (20%), profile completeness (15%), accreditation such as NAEYC (5%), press recognition (3%), and years of operation (2%), then normalizes across captured positive categories. Read our full methodology →

Browse San Francisco daycares by program

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in San Francisco?
Little People Preschool and T K is currently the #1 ranked daycare in San Francisco based on our Guide Score, which evaluates parent reviews, licensing status, accreditation, and quality signals. See the full ranked list above.
How are daycares ranked in San Francisco?
Our Guide Score percentage combines weighted evidence from Google rating, review volume, web and contact presence, profile completeness, accreditation, press recognition, and years of operation, then normalizes across categories with captured positive evidence. There is no paid placement.
How much does daycare cost in San Francisco?
Childcare costs in San Francisco vary by program type and age group. Full-time infant care commonly ranges from $800–$2,500/month; preschool programs run $600–$1,800/month. Each center's profile page lists contact information for current rates.