Licensed Daycare in Sacramento, California
145 licensed daycares in Sacramento, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official California licensing records.
Sacramento listings updated May 2026 from official California records.
Daycare in Sacramento: what parents should know
Our directory lists 145 licensed childcare providers in Sacramento, California. Every provider here holds a current California license at indexing time, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.
For age coverage, 19 centers in Sacramento report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 18 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 18 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Sacramento spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 12% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Together, licensed providers in Sacramento report capacity for roughly 9,997 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Sacramento childcare by the numbers
The Sacramento childcare landscape
Sacramento gives California families the state's expanding free Transitional Kindergarten without the coastal price tag. As the capital, it also has a well-organized resource-and-referral network that makes finding subsidized care relatively straightforward.
Universal PreK and Transitional Kindergarten
California's Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is expanding free Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds through districts including Sacramento City Unified, with eligibility widening each year. The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) also offers free preschool to income-eligible 3- and 4-year-olds.
Subsidies and resource referral
For infants and toddlers, California subsidizes care through CalWORKs and Alternative Payment programs. In Sacramento, Child Action, Inc. is the long-running resource-and-referral and subsidy-payment agency — the fastest way to find vetted providers and apply for help.
Licensing and quality
Providers are licensed and inspected by California Community Care Licensing (CDSS). Look for participation in Quality Counts Sacramento (the regional quality system) alongside any NAEYC accreditation.
Neighborhoods and cost
Sacramento is more affordable than coastal California — full-time infant care commonly runs $1,300–$1,700/month. East Sacramento, Land Park, and Midtown are family-dense and competitive; the suburbs of Roseville, Folsom, and Elk Grove add capacity.
When to start looking
TK enrollment runs through your district on the regular calendar — confirm your child's birthday cutoff. For infant and toddler care, contact Child Action early and tour in advance, since infant rooms carry waitlists.
Childcare costs in Sacramento
ChildCare Aware reports the California average full-time cost at $1,800/month for infant care and $1,240/month for preschool. City-level prices in Sacramento vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. California families may also qualify for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195).
Full California licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:12
- Avg capacity
- 68 kids
Largest licensed centers in Sacramento
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Sacramento licensed centers
Page 3 of 10Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Sacramento, California?
What's the average daycare cost in Sacramento?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Sacramento daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Sacramento?
How do I verify a Sacramento daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Sacramento
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programCalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(916) 651-6195 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Sacramento
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Sacramento, California are compiled from official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 145 Licensed Centers in Sacramento
Free, no signup, verified directly with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.