Licensed Daycare in San Diego, California
150 licensed daycares in San Diego, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official California licensing records.
San Diego listings updated May 2026 from official California records.
Daycare in San Diego: what parents should know
Our directory lists 150 licensed childcare providers in San Diego, 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 San Diego report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 19 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 19 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in San Diego spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 13% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, San Diego's licensed centers hold about 10,162 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
San Diego childcare by the numbers
The San Diego childcare landscape
San Diego is in the middle of California's rollout of free Transitional Kindergarten for every 4-year-old, which is steadily lowering what families pay for the pre-K year. Infant and toddler care remains pricey, but a strong county resource-and-referral network makes finding subsidized options easier than in much of the state.
Universal PreK and Transitional Kindergarten
California's Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is expanding free Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to all 4-year-olds through districts including San Diego 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 San Diego, the YMCA Childcare Resource Service is the regional resource-and-referral agency and the fastest way to find vetted providers and apply for help. Neighborhood House Association runs much of the county's Head Start.
Licensing and quality
Providers are licensed and inspected by California Community Care Licensing (CDSS). Look for participation in Quality Start San Diego, the county quality-rating system, alongside any NAEYC accreditation.
Neighborhoods and cost
Full-time infant care in San Diego commonly runs $1,400–$1,900/month. North County coastal communities (Carlsbad, Encinitas) skew highest; the South Bay (Chula Vista, National City) offers more bilingual options; and licensed family child care homes are common countywide.
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 the YMCA Childcare Resource Service early and tour in advance, since San Diego infant rooms carry waitlists.
Childcare costs in San Diego
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 San Diego 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
- 67 kids
Largest licensed centers in San Diego
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All San Diego licensed centers
Page 4 of 10Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in San Diego, California?
What's the average daycare cost in San Diego?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in San Diego daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in San Diego?
How do I verify a San Diego daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in San Diego
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 San Diego
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for San Diego, 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 150 Licensed Centers in San Diego
Free, no signup, verified directly with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.