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Licensed Daycare in Santa Clara, California

15 licensed daycares in Santa Clara, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official California licensing records.

15
Licensed Centers
2
Infant Care
$1,800/mo
California avg infant
1:4
State infant ratio

Santa Clara listings updated May 2026 from official California records.

Daycare in Santa Clara: what parents should know

Santa Clara has 15 licensed childcare providers in our directory. 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, 2 centers in Santa Clara report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 2 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 1 is a Head Start program, free for income-eligible families.

Licensed care in Santa Clara spans 3+ 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.

Together, licensed providers in Santa Clara report capacity for roughly 1,050 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.

Santa Clara childcare by the numbers

15
Licensed providers
1,050
Licensed child seats
2
Family child care homes
3+
ZIP codes covered

Childcare costs in Santa Clara

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 Santa Clara 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 overview

Quick 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
70 kids

All Santa Clara licensed centers

Page 1 of 1

Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.

Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Santa Clara, California?
Our directory lists 15 licensed childcare centers in Santa Clara, California, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.
What's the average daycare cost in Santa Clara?
Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Santa Clara daycares?
All licensed California centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:12 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Santa Clara typically operate below these ceilings.
Are subsidies available for daycare in Santa Clara?
California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.
How do I verify a Santa Clara daycare's license?
Look up the provider directly in the official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.

Where to get childcare help in Santa Clara

Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.

Local CCR&R agency

Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.

1-800-424-2246 · Find yours
Dial 2-1-1

United Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.

Call 211 · 211.org
Head Start (free)

Free early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.

Find a program
State subsidy

CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.

(916) 651-6195 · How to apply
Quality ratings

Check NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.

Find quality care
Verify a license

Confirm any provider's current license & inspection record with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.

Official license search

How this data is sourced. Listings for Santa Clara, 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 15 Licensed Centers in Santa Clara

Free, no signup, verified directly with California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division.

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