Find a daycare in San Francisco, CA

Find daycares in San Francisco, CA

Find daycares in San Francisco, 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA

Parents agree: these San Francisco daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Odyssey Learning Academy

Odyssey Learning Academy

New on TrustedCare
Serves San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Odyssey Learning Academy, located in San Francisco’s Dogpatch district. I’m Magdalena Prado Rosas, the founder and director, with over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. My journey has led me through various roles, from lead teacher to early intervention specialist, and inspired me to create a learning environment where children can grow and thrive.
Kids' Dreams Childcare

Kids' Dreams Childcare

New on TrustedCare
17+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Kids' Dreams Childcare, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities. Kids' Dreams Family Daycare with preschool curriculum is a safe, nurturing environment where your child will get the attention and care that he/she needs. We are licensed in the state of CA as a home daycare facility and have met or exceeded all health and safety guidelines. Toddler Program (Ages 2-3) Our toddlers are offered a variety of opportunities to explore their world through play. Gross motor skills and social skills are developed through both structured and unstructured play. Their days are filled with music, art, dance, story time
JOSY CHILD CARE

JOSY CHILD CARE

New on TrustedCare
14+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
I have experience with children, more than 40 early childhood education units, associate teacher permit. I love working in this area, working with children is a rewarding job, in which not only the children learn, but also learn from them. And all the assistants are always improving the care with early childhood education classes and special needs too.
Big Bird Preschool

Big Bird Preschool

New on TrustedCare
8+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Big Bird Preschool provides a nurturing, home-like environment where children can explore their interests. The curriculum is emergent from children's interests and has a Waldor/ Reggio feel. We accept children ages 18 months- school aged and offer after care with pick up to local Pacifica schools.
Arboleda Escuela

Arboleda Escuela

New on TrustedCare
Serves San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Arboleda Escuela, where we prioritize the growth and well-being of your child in a nurturing environment. Located in the heart of San Francisco, our unique daycare provides personalized care and attention with a focus on fostering social and educational development. With a dedicated team of two, we ensure each child receives the individual support they need to thrive. Join us at Arboleda Escuela and watch your child flourish in a community that values their potential and nurtures their growth.
Pumpkin's Corner

Pumpkin's Corner

New on TrustedCare
Serves San Francisco, CA
Welcome to Pumpkin's Corner, a nurturing daycare in the heart of San Francisco dedicated to providing a safe and enriching environment for your little ones. With an emphasis on personalized care and attention, our small team ensures each child feels valued and supported. At Pumpkin's Corner, we focus on fostering social and educational development through interactive and engaging activities. Join us in creating a joyful and constructive space where your children can thrive.
Diversity Connection Child Care

Diversity Connection Child Care

New on TrustedCare
Serves San Francisco, CA
Diversity Connection Child Care is a Mandarin and English bilingual environment that offers a safe, clean, and loving environment with knowledgeable teachers who honor your family’s routine and your child's individual needs. We provide a balanced curriculum mix of Creative, Reggio, and Project-based learning for your growing child. The emphasis is to nurture each child's individual, social, and emotional development and provide them with problem-solving skills that will help prepare them for school and beyond.
Live Love Laugh Daycare

Live Love Laugh Daycare

5.0Exceptional(11)
1 hire on TrustedCare
6+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Eddy G. says, "Josie is the best. She cares for the kids and gets their personality to come out. She helped raised my son for the first 3.5 years in his life and I feel it was a great way to start life. Thank you Josie." Read more
The Hummingbirds

The Hummingbirds

5.0(3)
25+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Grant B. says, "The owner, Adela, is a one of a kind caregiver that has provided care for both of our kids. We loved her energy, compassion and communication, oh and her ability to get our kids to nap. Our kids built amazing relationships with her and the other children at the daycare." Read more
Little School

Little School

New on TrustedCare
40+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
The Little School, founded in 1984, is an inclusive and relationship-focused preschool located in San Francisco, California, and serves the surrounding areas. This institution is recognized for its individualized teaching approach and commitment to inclusivity. The Little School offers an extended day program and summer camp, accommodating up to 110 students including those with special needs. In addition, it offers a Transitional Kindergarten program where children engage in an in-depth study of art, music, dance, theater, and literature.

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 San Francisco daycares

Recent success stories from people in the San Francisco area.
Stacy H.
Our daughter (and us) loved Live Love Laugh Daycare. Josie is an amazing daycare provider and person. Between the amazing healthy food she cooked for the kids and help with things liked potty training we were so grateful we found Josie. We highly recommend Live Love Laugh Daycare.
Live Love Laugh Daycare
Vanessa D.
Our two children went to The Hummingbirds from 18 months to three years and had the most wonderful experience. Adela is wonderful with the kids, an excellent communicator and keeps a very safe space for children to develop. Our kids were loved and well prepared for the next stage of their care in preschool. Couldn’t recommend Adela and The Hummingbirds more.
The Hummingbirds
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