Best Daycares in Santa Monica, CA — 2026 Rankings
We ranked 33 daycares and childcare centers in Santa Monica based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.
Top Daycares in Santa Monica
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#1 — Smartstart Preschool Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#2 — The Children's Place Preschool Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#3 — Dreamland Preschool Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#4 — Garden of Angels School Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →
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#5 — Little Dolphins By the Sea Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#6 — First United Methodist Church School Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#7 — The Mulberry Tree Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#8 — Maple Tree Academy Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#9 — L.A. Nature Kids Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
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#10 — Starting Point Mandarin Immersion Montessori Preschool Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#11 — Westside Waldorf Score: 76%
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
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#12 — Circle of Children Pre-School Score: 71%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#13 — First Step Nursery School Score: 69%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#14 — Montana Preschool & Toddlers Score: 66%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#15 — The Hundred Studio Score: 63%
Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, High school. View full profile →
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#16 — Cassidy Preschool Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#17 — The First School Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →
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#18 — The Early Years School Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
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#19 — First School Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →
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#20 — Growing Place at Marine Park Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
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#21 — The Growing Place Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#22 — Lighthouse Preschool Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
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#23 — Beginnings Learning Center Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#24 — Palisades Preschool Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#25 — Kigala Preschool Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
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#26 — Gan Israel Preschool Score: 60%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#27 — SMAP childcare Score: 54%
Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →
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#28 — Westside Montessori School Score: 51%
Programs: Preschool, School, Education. View full profile →
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#29 — My First Place Preschool and Infant Center Score: 51%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#30 — Kidz Korner WeeCare Score: 49%
Programs: Preschool, School, Education. 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 →
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the #1 daycare in Santa Monica?
- Smartstart Preschool is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
- 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 Santa Monica?
- Childcare costs in Santa Monica 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.