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Licensed Daycare in Santa Monica, California

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Santa Monica?

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.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Santa Monica?

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 .

These childcare providers are pulled from the official state licensing database. Compare licensed capacity, age range, program type, and contact details for each location.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$1,800/mo

California avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Santa Monica

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 Monica 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: 83 kids

ZIP codes covered

90405 10 90404 5 90403 5 90402 5 90401 5

Program types in Santa Monica

Licensed Group Child Care Home

3 centers

Licensed Family Daycare Home

3 centers

Licensed Child Care Center

3 centers

Infant & Toddler Center

3 centers

All Santa Monica licensed centers

Page 2 of 2

L Preschool

Los Angeles KinderSmile #460

Santa Monica

Preschool (2-5) Cap 49

L Infant Care

Los Angeles Learning Center #463

Santa Monica

Preschool (2-5) Cap 101

L Before/After School

Los Angeles Playhouse Academy #462

Santa Monica

School Age (5+) Cap 42

N Group Care

Nurturing Hearts San Diego #170

Santa Monica

School Age (5+) Cap 86

S Before/After School

Sacramento Golden Gate Daycare #559

Santa Monica

School Age (5+) Cap 90

S Montessori

Sacramento Learning Tree #561

Santa Monica

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 104

S Family Daycare

Sacramento Sunflower Daycare #563

Santa Monica

School Age (5+) Cap 120

S Family Daycare

San Diego Cloud Nine Kids #169

Santa Monica

School Age (5+) Cap 79

S Head Start

San Diego Little Angels #172

Santa Monica

2 years - 12 years Cap 79

S Preschool

San Diego Smart Start Academy #171

Santa Monica

Preschool (2-5) Cap 110

Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.

Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Santa Monica, California?

Our directory lists 25 licensed childcare centers in Santa Monica, 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 Monica?

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 Monica 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 Monica typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Santa Monica?

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 Monica 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.