Find a daycare in San Diego, CA

Find daycares in San Diego, CA

Find daycares in San Diego, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Find daycares in San Diego, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Top 10 daycares in San Diego, CA

Parents agree: these San Diego daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
SHTEWI, MANAR FAMILY CILD CARE

SHTEWI, MANAR FAMILY CILD CARE

New on TrustedCare
Serves San Diego, CA
Welcome to Shtewi, Manar Family Child Care, San Diego’s cozy corner for your little ones to flourish! Nestled in the heart of 92115, we offer personalized daycare services with a sprinkle of love and a dash of fun. With one dedicated caregiver, your child receives the attention they deserve in a warm and nurturing environment. Here, every day is an adventure filled with learning and laughter. Join our family and watch your child thrive in a place where they truly belong!
Jama Safiyo & Farah Abdi Family Childcare

Jama Safiyo & Farah Abdi Family Childcare

New on TrustedCare
9+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Welcome to Jama Safiyo & Farah Abdi Family Childcare, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities. Located in the heart of San Diego, our dedicated team of three professionals provides a nurturing and safe environment for your little ones. We specialize in daycare services, offering a warm and engaging atmosphere where children can learn, play, and thrive. Join our family and let us be a part of your child's early development journeyOur licensed child care facility has been open for 9 years. Located in City Highlights is now offering affordable evening, night and weekend child care for infants, toddlers, preschool and schoo
Hillcrest Preschool

Hillcrest Preschool

New on TrustedCare
55+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Established in 1970, Hillcrest Preschool is a diverse and inclusive institution based in San Diego, California. They are dedicated to fostering socialization and authenticity in a safe, loving environment. Catering to children aged 18 months to 5 years, Hillcrest offers both full-time and part-time slots with an emphasis on play-based learning. Their curriculum is well-rounded, focusing on physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and creative development. The preschool prepares children for kindergarten and beyond, aiming to make them comfortable in a social setting, excited about learning, and confident in their unique talents.
ABC Little Hands

ABC Little Hands

New on TrustedCare
21+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Founded in 2022, ABC Little Hands is a licensed daycare based in San Diego, CA, with a mission to nurture and enrich children's growth on all fronts. Offering a bilingual program with Spanish immersion, ABC Little Hands is dedicated to small group interaction, promoting social skills, and providing organic meals. Their unique services extend to providing daycare until 6pm and a monthly parents' night out. With a commitment to providing a fun, safe, and nurturing environment, ABC Little Hands is now enrolling for 2024 / 2025
Samantha's Family DayCare

Samantha's Family DayCare

New on TrustedCare
17+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Founded in 2008, Samantha's Family Daycare is a trusted home-based child care provider in San Diego, California, and its surrounding areas. Passionate about nurturing children, Samantha Carvalho offers a bilingual curriculum in Portuguese and English. The daycare center focuses on hands-on activities, arts and crafts, sensory-based activities, indoor and outdoor play, reading, music, and more. Samantha prides herself on cultivating an environment filled with love, care, and constant learning for children from newborns to five years old, and also provides after-school care.
Montessori Explorer

Montessori Explorer

New on TrustedCare
24+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Established in 2002, Montessori Explorer, based in Chula Vista, CA, is a renowned Montessori school serving children ages two to twelve. Founding values surrounded on key element. That is the child. Our whole focus is driven through this most important key element. The child is the center of the value stream, and the school focuses on social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development as an individual. This concept drives the teachers to focus on providing one-to-one lessons, following the child and his/her interests, develop character, self-worth, and independence. They offer half- and full-day programs, with extended hours for tho
Little Blue House Daycare

Little Blue House Daycare

New on TrustedCare
17+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Little House Daycare, located in Chula Vista, CA and its surrounding areas, is an in-home family daycare that provides a play-based curriculum for infants to preschool-age children. The daycare emphasizes engagement and exploration, encouraging kids to develop problem-solving skills, social skills, and vocabulary. Conveniently located near Lillian J. Rice Elementary School, the facility also includes a fenced-in yard for safe outdoor play and offers a range of activities including art, music, field trips, and academic tasks.
ABC Family Daycare

ABC Family Daycare

New on TrustedCare
10+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Established in 2015, ABC Family Daycare is located in Chula Vista, California, extending its services to the surrounding areas. With a rich experience of over 20 years, they assure a secure, clean, and affectionate environment for children. Their services include a comprehensive nutrition program, emphasizing a nurturing atmosphere for your child's holistic development.
Montessori Achievement Centre

Montessori Achievement Centre

New on TrustedCare
41+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Welcome to Montessori Achievement Centre, where we prioritize nurturing each child's natural curiosity and love for learning. Located in the heart of Spring Valley, CA, we offer a unique daycare experience that focuses on fostering independence, creativity, and critical thinking. Our small team of dedicated educators works closely with children to provide a supportive and enriching environment. At Montessori Achievement Centre, we believe that early education is the foundation of lifelong success, and we are committed to helping your child achieve their fullest potential.
I.Newton Education Center

I.Newton Education Center

New on TrustedCare
4+ years in business
Serves San Diego, CA
Welcome to I.Newton Education Center, where your child's growth and development are our top priorities. Located in El Cajon, CA, our nurturing daycare environment is designed to foster learning and social skills in young children. With a dedicated team of 8 passionate educators, we provide personalized attention to help your child thrive. At I.Newton Education Center, we believe in creating a safe, engaging, and supportive space that inspires curiosity and a love for learning. Join us and watch your child flourish.

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?

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