Best Daycares in California — 2026 Rankings
We ranked 146 daycares and childcare centers across 6 cities in California.
Top Daycares in California
-
#1 — Santa Clara Montessori Score: 26/100
Santa Clara, CA — Montessori Education in Santa Clara, CA
Programs: Montessori. View full profile →
-
#2 — Santa Clara Montessori Score: 26/100
Santa Clara, CA — Montessori Education in Santa Clara, CA
Programs: Montessori. View full profile →
-
#3 — Action Day Primary Plus Score: 26/100
San Jose, CA — Action Day | Private School & Child Care in San Jose, CA
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#4 — Rainbow Montessori Child Development Center Score: 25/100
Sunnyvale, CA — Rainbow Montessori CDC
Programs: Montessori. View full profile →
-
#5 — Montessori Country Day Score: 25/100
Sacramento, CA — Bergamo Montessori Schools
Programs: Montessori. View full profile →
-
#6 — YMCA Child Care Score: 24/100
La Mirada, CA — YMCA Child Care Services In Whittier CA
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#7 — San Jose Parents Participating Nursery School Score: 24/100
San Jose, CA — San Jose Parents Participating Nursery School
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#8 — Moldovan Academy Score: 24/100
San Francisco, CA — Preschool, childcare, daycare, toddler care, infant care, prekindergarten, prek, education, schools, academic, curriculum
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#9 — Jim Gilliam Child Care Center Score: 24/100
Los Angeles, CA — JIM GILLIAM CHILD CARE CENTERCity of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#10 — Kai Ming Head Start Score: 24/100
San Francisco, CA — Kai Ming Head Start
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#11 — Bethany Christian Preschool Score: 23/100
Los Angeles, CA — Bethany Christian Preschool: Westminster, CA > Home
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
-
#12 — Project Commotion Score: 23/100
San Francisco, CA — Project Commotion: Child development, movement, play & community
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
-
#13 — BunnyBears Preschool La Mesa Score: 23/100
La Mesa, CA — Early Childhood Education
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
-
#14 — SBPC Preschool Score: 23/100
San Diego, CA — Solana Beach Presbyterian Preschool
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
-
#15 — Action Day Primary Plus Score: 23/100
Campbell, CA — Action Day | Private School & Child Care in San Jose, CA
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#16 — SOMA Daycare & Preschool Score: 23/100
San Francisco, CA — SOMA Daycare & Preschool
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
-
#17 — KinderCare Learning Centers Score: 23/100
San Diego, CA — Sorrento Valley KinderCare | Daycare, Preschool & Early Education in San Diego, CA
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#18 — Carden Conservatory Score: 22/100
Huntington Beach, CA — Middle School & Kindergarten Huntington Beach CA
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#19 — Yak Academy Score: 22/100
Los Angeles, CA — Yak Academy
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
-
#20 — The Language Grove Score: 22/100
Los Angeles, CA — The Language Grove
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
Top cities in California
How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers
Our Guide Score (0–100) 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%). Read our full methodology →
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best daycare in California?
- Santa Clara Montessori is currently the #1 ranked daycare in California based on our Guide Score. See the full statewide ranked list above.
- How many daycares are ranked in California?
- We have ranked 146 daycares and childcare centers across 6 cities in California. Rankings are computed by Guide Score and updated regularly.