Licensed Daycare in San Francisco, California
135 licensed daycares in San Francisco, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official California licensing records.
San Francisco listings updated May 2026 from official California records.
Daycare in San Francisco: what parents should know
There are 135 licensed childcare providers on record in San Francisco. 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, 17 centers in San Francisco report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 17 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 17 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in San Francisco 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 Francisco's licensed centers hold about 8,885 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
San Francisco childcare by the numbers
The San Francisco childcare landscape
San Francisco runs one of the most generous local early-childhood systems in the country — Preschool for All makes preschool free or low-cost for every 4-year-old in the city — even as it remains one of the most expensive private markets anywhere. The split between the free preschool years and very high infant care defines the SF market.
Preschool for All and Universal TK
The city's Preschool for All (PFA) program, run by the Office of Early Care and Education, offers free or low-cost preschool to every San Francisco 4-year-old regardless of income, at participating community providers. On top of that, California's Universal Prekindergarten / Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is expanding free TK through San Francisco Unified. The preschool year is, for most SF families, free.
Subsidies and resource referral
For infants and toddlers, California subsidizes care through CalWORKs and Alternative Payment programs. In San Francisco, the Children's Council of San Francisco and Wu Yee Children's Services are the resource-and-referral agencies that help you 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 the city/county quality-rating efforts alongside any NAEYC accreditation, and confirm the public license and inspection record before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
San Francisco is at the very top of the national price range — full-time infant care commonly runs $2,200–$3,000+/month. Demand is high citywide; family child care homes (abundant in the Sunset, Richmond, and Excelsior) are usually the most affordable licensed option, and many offer bilingual care.
When to start looking
Enroll in Preschool for All and TK ahead of the fall through the city and SFUSD. For infant care, SF waitlists are among the longest in the country — tour and list during pregnancy where possible, and check whether your employer offers a childcare benefit.
Childcare costs in San Francisco
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 Francisco 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
- 65 kids
Largest licensed centers in San Francisco
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All San Francisco licensed centers
Page 8 of 9Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in San Francisco, California?
What's the average daycare cost in San Francisco?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in San Francisco daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in San Francisco?
How do I verify a San Francisco daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in San Francisco
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 Francisco
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for San Francisco, 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 135 Licensed Centers in San Francisco
Free, no signup, verified directly with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.