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

  1. #1 — Smartstart Preschool Score: 86%

    Smartstart Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://smartstartschool.com/.

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

  2. #2 — The Children's Place Preschool Score: 86%

    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/.

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

  3. #3 — Dreamland Preschool Score: 86%

    Dreamland Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.dreamlanddaycarecenters.com/.

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

  4. #4 — Garden of Angels School Score: 86%

    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/.

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

  5. #5 — Little Dolphins By the Sea Score: 86%

    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/.

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

  6. #6 — First United Methodist Church School Score: 86%

    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-message/.

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

  7. #7 — The Mulberry Tree Score: 86%

    The Mulberry Tree is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://mulberrysantamonica.com/.

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

  8. #8 — Maple Tree Academy Score: 86%

    Maple Tree Academy is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.MTacademy.com/.

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

  9. #9 — L.A. Nature Kids Score: 86%

    L.A. Nature Kids is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: https://lanaturekids.com/.

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

  10. #10 — Starting Point Mandarin Immersion Montessori Preschool Score: 86%

    Starting Point Mandarin Immersion Montessori Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://www.startingpointedu.com/.

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

  11. #11 — Westside Waldorf Score: 84%

    Westside Waldorf is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.wswaldorf.org.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  12. #12 — Circle of Children Pre-School Score: 80%

    Circle of Children Pre-School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.circleofchildrenpreschool.com.

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

  13. #13 — First Step Nursery School Score: 77%

    First Step Nursery School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://firststepnurseryschool.com/.

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

  14. #14 — Montana Preschool & Toddlers Score: 74%

    Montana Preschool & Toddlers is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://montanapreschoolsantamonica.com/.

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

  15. #15 — The Hundred Studio Score: 71%

    The Hundred Studio is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, high school. Website: http://mapletreesantamonica.com/.

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

  16. #16 — Cassidy Preschool Score: 69%

    Cassidy Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://cassidypreschool.com/.

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

  17. #17 — The First School Score: 69%

    The First School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, school, home service. Website: http://www.thefirstschool.org/about/contactus/.

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

  18. #18 — The Early Years School Score: 69%

    The Early Years School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.theearlyyearsschool.com.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  19. #19 — First School Score: 69%

    First School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: http://www.thefirstschool.org.

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

  20. #20 — Growing Place at Marine Park Score: 69%

    Growing Place at Marine Park is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: https://www.growingplace.org/about-us.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  21. #21 — The Growing Place Score: 69%

    The Growing Place is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.growingplace.org/.

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

  22. #22 — Lighthouse Preschool Score: 69%

    Lighthouse Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://thelighthousechristianpreschool.com.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  23. #23 — Beginnings Learning Center Score: 69%

    Beginnings Learning Center is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.beginningslc.com/.

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

  24. #24 — Palisades Preschool Score: 69%

    Palisades Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.palisadespreschool.org/.

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

  25. #25 — Kigala Preschool Score: 69%

    Kigala Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://kigala.org/contact/.

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

  26. #26 — Gan Israel Preschool Score: 69%

    Gan Israel Preschool is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.ganisraelpreschool.org/.

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

  27. #27 — SMAP childcare Score: 63%

    SMAP childcare is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, school, home service. Website: http://smapchildcare.com/.

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

  28. #28 — Westside Montessori School Score: 60%

    Westside Montessori School is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, school, education. Website: http://www.westsidemontessorischool.com/.

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

  29. #29 — My First Place Preschool and Infant Center Score: 60%

    My First Place Preschool and Infant Center is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.myfirstplacedaycare.com/contactus.html.

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

  30. #30 — Kidz Korner WeeCare Score: 57%

    Kidz Korner WeeCare is a childcare center in Santa Monica, CA. Programs include Preschool, school, education. Website: https://weecare.co/daycare/kidz-korner?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=bing-listing.

    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.