Best Daycare Centers in Salinas, CA
Compare 50 daycare centers in Salinas. Average rating: 4.35/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Salinas, California at a glance
- Daycares
- 50
- Avg rating
- 4.35/5
- Parent reviews
- 83
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 7
Salinas has 50 licensed daycares with 83 parent reviews averaging 4.35/5.7 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 47% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 93908 (avg 5 stars), while 93905 has the largest selection (18 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Salinas
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.
- 1Laura'S Barn Childcare Center (Pre-School)4.32 score4.4(20)
275 River Road A, Salinas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Laura's Barn Childcare Center receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the caring and attentive staff, structured educational activities, and strong communication through daily updates and photos via the Procare app. Children reportedly thrive academically and emotionally, with parents feeling confident and relieved leaving their children in the center's care.
caring and attentive teachersplanned educational activities (artfine motorsensory - 2Laura'S Barn Childcare Center (Infant)4.32 score4.4(20)
275 River Road A, Salinas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 19 children
Laura's Barn Childcare Center receives universally positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, structured learning activities, developmental progress, and transparent communication through daily updates and photos. Families express strong satisfaction with the safe, nurturing environment and enrichment programs offered.
Caring and attentive staffstructured learning activities (artsciencecoo - 3Alisal Campus Early Education Center4.25 score4.4(8)
1752 East Alisal Street, Salinas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children
Reviews are predominantly positive, with visitors praising the clean, accessible campus and educational opportunities. However, one negative review mentions a poor experience with an instructor in the Diesel program. Note: Many reviews appear to reference a college/vocational campus rather than early education childcare.
Clean and well-maintained facilityaccessible campusgood learning opportunitiesknowledgeable staff - 4Northminster Presbyterian Preschool/Kinderprep4.22 score4.4(6)
315 East Alvin Drive, Salinas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children
Parents praise Northminster Presbyterian Preschool/Kinderprep as a welcoming, community-oriented facility with great daycare and pre-school programs. The church hosts engaging community events and has a nice music program. Overall, families view it as a quality, well-established institution.
welcoming environmentcommunity-orientedquality daycare and pre-school programsengaging events - 5Northminster Presbyterian Infant Care4.22 score4.4(6)
315 East Alvin Avenue, Salinas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 12 children
Northminster Presbyterian Infant Care is a small, welcoming church-based daycare in Salinas. Parents praise the daycare and pre-school programs as great, and appreciate the community-oriented atmosphere and family-friendly events.
welcoming environmentcommunity orientedgreat daycare and pre-school programsfamily-friendly events
Rating Distribution
Based on 15 daycares with Google ratings in Salinas
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Salinas, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Salinas zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93908 | 6 | 5 | 3 | |
| 93906 | 13 | 4.4 | 0 | |
| 93901 | 9 | 4.35 | 2 | |
| 93905 | 18 | 3.47 | 1 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Salinas (12–120 children)
Small
up to 30 children
23
Medium
31–75 children
21
Large
76–150 children
6
Very Large
150+ children
0
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Salinas based on parent reviews
Montessori Learning Center
30 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, CA
Parents highlight the school's caring staff and Montessori philosophy, noting that students develop into independent, creative thinkers who are well-prepared for higher education. Long-term families report that children are challenged, loved, and allowed to learn at their own pace, fostering a genuine love for learning.
Little Friends Day Nursery
1025 Post Dr, Salinas, CA
Parents highlight the school's Christian values, individualized attention, and academic preparation for kindergarten, though one family notes the religious emphasis despite appreciating the balanced approach. Reviewers praise the friendly and firm teaching staff, including specific mentions of Ms. Joanna, Ms. Angela, Ms. Ariana, and Ms. Carmen. The program includes field trips and holiday programs, with costs averaging around $630 monthly.
Laura'S Barn Childcare Center (Pre-School)
275 River Road A, Salinas, CA
Laura's Barn Childcare Center receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the caring and attentive staff, structured educational activities, and strong communication through daily updates and photos via the Procare app. Children reportedly thrive academically and emotionally, with parents feeling confident and relieved leaving their children in the center's care.
Laura'S Barn Childcare Center (Infant)
275 River Road A, Salinas, CA
Laura's Barn Childcare Center receives universally positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, structured learning activities, developmental progress, and transparent communication through daily updates and photos. Families express strong satisfaction with the safe, nurturing environment and enrichment programs offered.
Church Of The Good Shepherd Preschool
301 Corral De Tierra Road, Salinas, CA
Church Of The Good Shepherd Ps At The Grange
348 Corral De Tierra Road, Salinas, CA
Map
Daycare types in Salinas
Browse by type in Salinas
Daycare Centers in Salinas, California
There are 50 daycare centers in Salinas, 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 Salinas have an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 across 15 rated facilities, with 47% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 83 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Salinas, 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 Salinas
Showing 50 results
- Address
- 342 Front Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 757-7692
- Address
- 301 Corral De Tierra Road, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 484-2363
- Address
- 348 Corral De Tierra Road, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 484-1882
- Address
- 1145 Acosta Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 769-0907
- Address
- 156 Homestead Avenue, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 755-6945
Parents highlight the school's caring staff and Montessori philosophy, noting that students develop into independent, creative thinkers who are well-prepared for higher education. Long-term families report that children are challenged, loved, and allowed to learn at their own pace, fostering a genuine love for learning.
- Address
- 30 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 455-1546
Parents highlight the school's Christian values, individualized attention, and academic preparation for kindergarten, though one family notes the religious emphasis despite appreciating the balanced approach. Reviewers praise the friendly and firm teaching staff, including specific mentions of Ms. Joanna, Ms. Angela, Ms. Ariana, and Ms. Carmen. The program includes field trips and holiday programs, with costs averaging around $630 monthly.
- Address
- 1025 Post Dr, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 424-2145
Reviews are predominantly positive, with visitors praising the clean, accessible campus and educational opportunities. However, one negative review mentions a poor experience with an instructor in the Diesel program. Note: Many reviews appear to reference a college/vocational campus rather than early education childcare.
- Address
- 1752 East Alisal Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 755-6774
Laura's Barn Childcare Center receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the caring and attentive staff, structured educational activities, and strong communication through daily updates and photos via the Procare app. Children reportedly thrive academically and emotionally, with parents feeling confident and relieved leaving their children in the center's care.
- Address
- 275 River Road A, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 261-9897
Parents praise Northminster Presbyterian Preschool/Kinderprep as a welcoming, community-oriented facility with great daycare and pre-school programs. The church hosts engaging community events and has a nice music program. Overall, families view it as a quality, well-established institution.
- Address
- 315 East Alvin Drive, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 449-5676
Laura's Barn Childcare Center receives universally positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, structured learning activities, developmental progress, and transparent communication through daily updates and photos. Families express strong satisfaction with the safe, nurturing environment and enrichment programs offered.
- Address
- 275 River Road A, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 261-9897
Northminster Presbyterian Infant Care is a small, welcoming church-based daycare in Salinas. Parents praise the daycare and pre-school programs as great, and appreciate the community-oriented atmosphere and family-friendly events.
- Address
- 315 East Alvin Avenue, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 449-2717
- Address
- 1494 Schilling Place, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 783-1679
- Address
- 1230 Luther Way, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 422-4614
- Address
- 1437 Del Monte Avenue, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (408) 424-0461
- Address
- 680 Las Casitas Drive, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 753-5770
- Address
- 925 North Sanborn Road, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 796-3916
- Address
- 1225 Towt Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 753-5589
- Address
- 1770 Kittery Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 442-3526
- Address
- 1505 Cougar Drive, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 751-1945
- Address
- 1300 Rider Avenue, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 754-2319
- Address
- 1300 Rider Avenue, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 753-5740
- Address
- 2014 Santa Rita, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 755-0325
- Address
- 123 W Market Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 771-1324
- Address
- 24495 Calle El Rosario, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 751-9376
Hearts and Hands Christian Childcare & Preschool in Salinas receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the caring, supportive staff and director Michelle, noting their children feel welcomed, happy, and well-prepared academically for kindergarten while learning important life skills and values.
- Address
- 345 East Alvin Drive, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 449-7536
- Address
- 901 North Sanborn Road, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 753-5760
- Address
- 55 Rogge Road, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 755-0350
- Address
- 705 California Street, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 753-5625
- Address
- 18250 Van Buren Avenue, Salinas, CA
- Phone
- (831) 443-7212
Page 1 of 2· 50 results
Frequently asked questions
- 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
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 35 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 11 facilities
- Church Daycare — 2 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 2 facilities