Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Carmel, CA

Compare 6 daycare centers in Carmel. Average rating: 5/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Carmel, California at a glance

Daycares
6
Avg rating
5/5
Parent reviews
6
Top rated (4.5+)
1

Carmel offers 6 licensed daycares, 1 of which has public ratings averaging 5/5.The highest-rated options cluster around the 93923 zip code, averaging 5 stars across 6 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Carmel

Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.

  1. 1
    Potrero Canyon School
    4.55 score
    5(6)

    8340 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 41 children

    Potrero Canyon School is a highly-regarded, play-based preschool in Carmel where parents report their children are happy, engaged, and developing strong social-emotional skills. Teachers are described as passionate, nurturing, and supportive of both children and families. The school emphasizes nature exploration, peer relationships, and instilling a love of learning in a welcoming community environment.

    Passionate and nurturing teaching staffstrong social-emotional learning focuswelcoming community atmospherebeautiful outdoor spaces and garden

Rating Distribution

Based on 1 daycares with Google ratings in Carmel

4.5 - 5.0
1
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
0
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Carmel, based on parent reviews

Before or After School Daycare

5avg rating
3 daycares · 1 rated

Child Daycare & Preschools

No ratings yet
3 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Carmel zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
939236
5
1

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Carmel (6–110 children)

Small

up to 30 children

4

Medium

31–75 children

1

Large

76–150 children

1

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Carmel based on parent reviews

Potrero Canyon School

5(6)

8340 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA

Potrero Canyon School is a highly-regarded, play-based preschool in Carmel where parents report their children are happy, engaged, and developing strong social-emotional skills. Teachers are described as passionate, nurturing, and supportive of both children and families. The school emphasizes nature exploration, peer relationships, and instilling a love of learning in a welcoming community environment.

Passionate and nurturing teaching staffstrong social-emotional learning focuswelcoming community atmosphere

Map

Daycare types in Carmel

Child Daycare & Preschools 3Before or After School Daycare 3

Browse by type in Carmel

🎨 Preschools 3

Daycare Centers in Carmel, California

There are 6 daycare centers in Carmel, California. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

Based on Google reviews, daycares in Carmel have an average rating of 5 out of 5 across 1 rated facilities, with 100% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 6 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Carmel, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

All Daycare Centers in Carmel

Showing 6 results

Potrero Canyon School
Before or After School Daycare
5

Potrero Canyon School is a highly-regarded, play-based preschool in Carmel where parents report their children are happy, engaged, and developing strong social-emotional skills. Teachers are described as passionate, nurturing, and supportive of both children and families. The school emphasizes nature exploration, peer relationships, and instilling a love of learning in a welcoming community environment.

Passionate and nurturing teaching staffstrong social-emotional learning focuswelcoming community atmosphere
Address
8340 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA
Phone
(831) 625-0545
Carmel Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
8460 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA
Phone
(831) 624-8047
Junipero Serra School Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
3090 Rio Road, Carmel, CA
Phone
(831) 624-8322
Bardis Family Preschool - All Saints' Day School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
8060 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA
Phone
(831) 624-9171
Stevenson School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
24800 Dolores Street, Carmel, CA
Phone
(831) 626-5200
St. Dunstan'S Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
28003 Robinson Canyon Road, Carmel, CA
Phone
(831) 624-9250

Page 1 of 1· 6 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 6 all daycares in Carmel, California. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Carmel have an average Google rating of 5 out of 5 across 1 rated facilities. About 100% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Carmel, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with California's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in California)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Carmel offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 3 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 3 facilities
Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.
Daycare costs in California typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Carmel for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Carmel must be licensed by California's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities are required to meet standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios. You can verify a facility's license status through your state's licensing database.