Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Mill Valley, CA

Compare 18 daycare centers in Mill Valley. Average rating: 3.83/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Mill Valley, California at a glance

Daycares
18
Avg rating
3.83/5
Parent reviews
37
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Mill Valley has 18 licensed daycares with 37 parent reviews averaging 3.83/5.The largest concentration is in 94941 with 18 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Mill Valley

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
    Marin Day School - Mill Valley Preschool
    4.75 score
    5(15)

    10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children

    Parents consistently praise Mill Valley Nursery School as an exceptional co-op preschool with a strong sense of community and parent involvement. Children thrive in the nurturing environment led by experienced teachers, and families appreciate the lower tuition offset by meaningful participation in their child's education.

    Experienced and caring teachers (particularly Teacher Cathy)parent participation and involvement opportunitiesstrong community and friendships formedchildren's emotional and social development
  2. 2
    Mill Valley Cooperative Nursery School
    4.75 score
    5(15)

    51 Shell Road, Mill Valley, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 24 children

    Mill Valley Cooperative Nursery School receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the cooperative model, strong community, and experienced teaching staff. Parents consistently highlight their children's development, the parent participation component, and the welcoming environment. The school is noted for its lower tuition compared to other Bay Area preschools, with costs offset by parent involvement.

    Cooperative parent participation modelstrong sense of community and lifelong friendshipsexperienced and caring lead teacherchild development and confidence building

Rating Distribution

Based on 6 daycares with Google ratings in Mill Valley

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

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Mill Valley, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.25avg rating
13 daycares · 4 rated

Before or After School Daycare

3avg rating
5 daycares · 2 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Mill Valley zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9494118
3.83
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Mill Valley (18–110 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

13

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Mill Valley based on parent reviews

Marin Day School - Mill Valley Preschool

5(15)

10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, CA

Parents consistently praise Mill Valley Nursery School as an exceptional co-op preschool with a strong sense of community and parent involvement. Children thrive in the nurturing environment led by experienced teachers, and families appreciate the lower tuition offset by meaningful participation in their child's education.

Experienced and caring teachers (particularly Teacher Cathy)parent participation and involvement opportunitiesstrong community and friendships formed

Mill Valley Cooperative Nursery School

5(15)

51 Shell Road, Mill Valley, CA

Mill Valley Cooperative Nursery School receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the cooperative model, strong community, and experienced teaching staff. Parents consistently highlight their children's development, the parent participation component, and the welcoming environment. The school is noted for its lower tuition compared to other Bay Area preschools, with costs offset by parent involvement.

Cooperative parent participation modelstrong sense of community and lifelong friendshipsexperienced and caring lead teacher

Marin Day Schools - Hillside Campus - Preschool

5(1)

80 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, CA

Old Firehouse School Mill Valley-Preschool

4(4)

10 Olive Street, Mill Valley, CA

One parent describes a joyful, self-guided environment that fosters independence and curiosity, while another details a traumatic experience marked by chaos, discrimination, and lack of structure. A third review praises the school as a hidden gem with reasonable tuition and inspiring teachers.

self-guided learningjoyful atmospherefosters independence

Rainbow Montessori Of Marin

3(1)

270 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA

Little School

1(1)

285 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA

Map

Daycare types in Mill Valley

Child Daycare & Preschools 13Before or After School Daycare 5

Browse by type in Mill Valley

🎨 Preschools 5

Daycare Centers in Mill Valley, California

There are 18 daycare centers in Mill Valley, 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 Mill Valley have an average rating of 3.83 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.25 stars. Our analysis covers 37 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Mill Valley, 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 Mill Valley

Showing 18 results

Marin Day School - Mill Valley Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Parents consistently praise Mill Valley Nursery School as an exceptional co-op preschool with a strong sense of community and parent involvement. Children thrive in the nurturing environment led by experienced teachers, and families appreciate the lower tuition offset by meaningful participation in their child's education.

Experienced and caring teachers (particularly Teacher Cathy)parent participation and involvement opportunitiesstrong community and friendships formed
Address
10 Old Mill Street, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 381-4206
Marin Day Schools - Hillside Campus - Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
80 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 381-3120
Mill Valley Cooperative Nursery School
Before or After School Daycare
5

Mill Valley Cooperative Nursery School receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the cooperative model, strong community, and experienced teaching staff. Parents consistently highlight their children's development, the parent participation component, and the welcoming environment. The school is noted for its lower tuition compared to other Bay Area preschools, with costs offset by parent involvement.

Cooperative parent participation modelstrong sense of community and lifelong friendshipsexperienced and caring lead teacher
Address
51 Shell Road, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-9174
Old Firehouse School Mill Valley-Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4

One parent describes a joyful, self-guided environment that fosters independence and curiosity, while another details a traumatic experience marked by chaos, discrimination, and lack of structure. A third review praises the school as a hidden gem with reasonable tuition and inspiring teachers.

self-guided learningjoyful atmospherefosters independence
Address
10 Olive Street, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-1417
Rainbow Montessori Of Marin
Child Daycare & Preschools
3
Address
270 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 381-5666
Little School
Before or After School Daycare
1
Address
285 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 383-9696
Marin Day Schools - Old Mills Campus
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
352 Throckmorton, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 383-1308
Marin Day Schools - Park School Campus Eds
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
360 East Blithdale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-1458
Tamalpais Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
410 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-4286
Gga Kids Marin
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
201 Seminary Drive, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 408-6868
Kumara Day School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
540 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-5437
Marin Day School - The Cottage Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
322 Throckmorton, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 381-4206
Marin Horizon School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
305 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-8408
Marin Horizon School- Toddler Bldg.
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
247 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-8408
Ross Academy Montessori School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
7 Thomas Drive, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 383-5777
Marin Day Schools-Edna Maguire Campus
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
80 Lomita Dr, Rm A/22, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 381-2231
Marin Day Schools - Strawberry Campus Eds
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
117 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 383-6204
Marin Day Schools - Tam Valley Campus
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
350 Bell Ln. Eds, Building A/B, Mill Valley, CA
Phone
(415) 388-8304

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Frequently asked questions

There are 18 all daycares in Mill Valley, California. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Mill Valley have an average Google rating of 3.83 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Mill Valley, 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
Mill Valley offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 13 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 5 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 Mill Valley for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Mill Valley 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.