Curated · May 2026

Best Daycares in Santa Barbara, CA

Our top licensed picks in Santa Barbara — ranked on license status, capacity, and verification recency from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division. 30 centers reviewed. No paid placement, ever.

How we picked: from 30 licensed centers in Santa Barbara, we surface those with a current license, larger licensed capacity, and the most recent verification. Ranking is objective and editorial — providers cannot pay for placement. Always confirm current license status before enrolling.

1

Los Angeles Discovery Preschool #1027

Santa Barbara, CA · 93109

Licensed Group Child Care Home Capacity 116 6 weeks - 5 years
2

Santa Ana Cloud Nine Kids #543

Santa Barbara, CA · 93110

Montessori Capacity 116 6 weeks - 12 years
3

Happy Days Los Angeles Daycare #1023

Santa Barbara, CA · 93101

Infant Care Capacity 111 5 years - 12 years
4

Bakersfield Playhouse Academy #153

Santa Barbara, CA · 93111

Preschool Capacity 110 2 years - 5 years
5

Los Angeles Primrose School #1025

Santa Barbara, CA · 93105

Child Care Center Capacity 102 0 months - 12 months
6

Bakersfield Smart Start Academy #147

Santa Barbara, CA · 93101

Before & After School Care Capacity 99 3 years - 5 years
7

San Jose Children's Place #54

Santa Barbara, CA · 93111

Family Daycare Capacity 94 0 months - 5 years
8

Explorer Kids Bakersfield #149

Santa Barbara, CA · 93105

Montessori Capacity 86 6 weeks - 12 years
9

Growing Minds San Jose #53

Santa Barbara, CA · 93110

Child Care Center Capacity 77 0 months - 12 months
10

Fresno Bright Futures Daycare #443

Santa Barbara, CA · 93109

Head Start Capacity 73 2 years - 12 years

See all 30 Santa Barbara daycares

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