Find a daycare in Long Beach, CA

Find daycares in Long Beach, CA

Find daycares in Long Beach, CA

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Find daycares in Long Beach, CA

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
Zip code

Top 10 daycares in Long Beach, CA

Parents agree: these Long Beach daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Galeano Child Care

Galeano Child Care

5.0Exceptional(8)
Serves Long Beach, CA
Jennifer M. says, "I'm very happy with this daycare. My children come home happy as well." Read more
StickyLilFingers

StickyLilFingers

Serves Long Beach, CA
Welcome to StickyLilFingers, Homebased Daycare. Our goal is for parents to feel good about their childcare choice, knowing that their children are safe, engaged, educated, and smiling. And, for the future, we want these children to look back at their experience with us and see it as a cherished part of their childhood. Your children will be with a teacher who has experience and is educated.
Learning Ladders Daycare

Learning Ladders Daycare

5.0Exceptional(10)
5+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Shirley S. says, "Yhe personal care and attention to education, nutrition, life skills and well-being of each and evchild" Read more
Perez Family Childcare

Perez Family Childcare

5.0Exceptional(5)
24+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Luke W. says, "Martha is one of those people where you can just tell, “Yeah, you were born to do this”. Master level early childhood development teacher on all levels. I see my daughter supported and excelling emotionally, with her manners, her speech reading, writing, creativity, numbers.. I could go on and on. Martha’s got my full trust, and appreciation. Daughter loves being there, and I love her being there!" Read more
Auntie Me-Cole's Childcare

Auntie Me-Cole's Childcare

2+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Welcome to Auntie Me-Cole's Childcare, where we nurture your child's growth in a loving, safe, and educational environment. Located in Norwalk, CA, our intimate daycare service is dedicated to providing personalized care and attention, ensuring each child thrives. With a focus on fostering social, emotional, and cognitive development, our small team is committed to creating a supportive and engaging atmosphere. Join us at Auntie Me-Cole's Childcare and watch your child flourish in our warm, family-oriented setting.
Tiny Steps Family Child Care

Tiny Steps Family Child Care

Serves Long Beach, CA
At Tiny Steps Family Child Care in Gardena, CA, we understand the importance of providing a nurturing and safe environment for your little ones. With a dedicated team of two, our intimate setting allows us to give personalized attention to each child, fostering their growth and development. Our daycare services are designed to create a warm, family-like atmosphere where children feel valued and encouraged to explore and learn. Choose Tiny Steps Family Child Care, where your child's first steps are guided with care and commitment.
Smith Family Child Care

Smith Family Child Care

37+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Smith Family Child Care, founded in 1982 in San Pedro, CA, specializes in providing a safe, warm, and structured environment for children aged 0 to 12 years. They offer engaging activities and a preschool curriculum that prepares children for advanced kindergarten. With an emphasis on early childhood education, children are taught in a fun, interactive manner, learning everything from ABC recognition to using scissors. Hot meals are provided, and a structured routine helps children make a smooth transition to kindergarten. Smith Family Child Care is committed to nurturing future geniuses.
Little Sprouts Childcare

Little Sprouts Childcare

14+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Villagran Family Childcare, founded in 2011, is a dedicated home-based daycare provider in Lynwood, California, and its surrounding areas. They offer quality childcare, including school pick-up and drop-off services. Their professional staff are all background checked, and CPR and first aid certified, ensuring a safe and fun-loving environment for all children. The facility is equipped with age-appropriate toys and activities, and even an outdoor play area, catering to a maximum of 14 children. Bilingual services in English and Spanish are also available.
Smart Steps Day Care

Smart Steps Day Care

9+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Established in 2016, Smart Steps Day Care, located in La Mirada and Buena Park, California, offers a nurturing environment for children's emotional, physical, and intellectual development. The daycare provides comprehensive care and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children up to the sixth grade. By implementing a curriculum inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori's teaching principles, Smart Steps Day Care ensures the advancement of a child's whole personality. Activities include language and literacy skills, math, music, art, and outdoor play. The facility maintains a safe, smoke-free setting, and also provides before
Bright Futures Learning Academy

Bright Futures Learning Academy

8+ years in business
Serves Long Beach, CA
Founded in 2017, Bright Futures Learning Academy is a high-quality preschool based in Long Beach, California. The academy is committed to providing a nurturing and educational environment for children aged 3months-5 years old. Our curriculum is play-based, incorporating renowned early childhood theories from Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. We also integrate elements of the S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum to prepare our students for Kindergarten and beyond. Our dedicated and experienced team, led by Ms. Tiffany Fields ensures that each child receives individualized lesson plans and age-

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

Reviews for Long Beach daycares

Recent success stories from people in the Long Beach area.
Vecki H.
My daughter is happy having her children taking care there. The staff is very professional.
Galeano Child Care
Lucy L.
Kim and her staff really care about the children. My child started talking within 2 months at LL. Over the year my child’s speech, social and independence grew tremendously. What I love is they take the kids on field trips through out the year as well! Truly the best daycare in Carson. I couldn’t thank them enough for all the love they pour into the children.
Learning Ladders Daycare
Priscilla C.
Martha is just an amazing provider. The moment i went to tour her house my baby instantly fell in love with her. Very honest, communicates & addresses any concerns you may have. Im very happy with the choice i made and my baby as well. Definitely recommend her childcare.
Perez Family Childcare
Starla L.
I loved the supportive team, the kids' energy, and the chance to make a daily impact on young lives.
Hill Academy Scholars Childcare
Violet J.
If it truly takes a village to raise a child, then T and Ron are nothing short of Papa and Mama Smurf! I cannot express enough how much my 3-year-old son adores them. Every day, he eagerly looks forward to attending their daycare, constantly asking about them. What stands out the most is their incredible wealth of knowledge on everything from nutrition and hair care to faith and parenting. As a full-time student and single mom, I am deeply grateful for the peace of mind they provide by accommodating my hectic schedule and always offering exceptional care for my child. What I appreciate even more is their openness to discussing developmental and behavioral milestones. They collaborate with me thoughtfully and offer wonderful strategies to help my child grow and thrive. I wholeheartedly recommend this daycare — it’s truly a gem!
House of Elevation Child Care
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