Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in San Francisco, CA

Compare 358 daycare centers in San Francisco. Average rating: 4.57/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

San Francisco, California at a glance

Daycares
358
Avg rating
4.57/5
Parent reviews
1,030
Top rated (4.5+)
134

San Francisco has 358 licensed daycares with 1,030 parent reviews averaging 4.57/5.134 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 74% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 94105 (avg 5 stars), while 94115 has the largest selection (27 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in San Francisco

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
    Moldovan Academy INC.
    4.78 score
    5(18)

    1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children

    Moldovan Academy receives consistent 5-star reviews from parents who praise the school's warm, caring environment and strong focus on social-emotional development. Parents report significant developmental gains in their children's speech, emotional regulation, and social skills, along with enthusiasm for attending school daily. The facility is noted for its small class sizes, engaging curriculum, and dedicated leadership under owner Kathleen.

    Warm and caring teachersstrong social-emotional development focussmall class sizesengaging hands-on curriculum (science
  2. 2

    401 Euclid Avenue, San Francisco, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 59 children

    Laurel Hill Nursery School is a play-based cooperative preschool in San Francisco with consistently excellent ratings. Parents praise the caring teachers, nurturing community atmosphere, exceptional outdoor space, and the co-op model that encourages parental involvement and education. Families report significant positive impacts on their children's development and their own parenting skills.

    Experienced and caring teachersplay-based learning approachlarge and well-equipped outdoor spacecooperative model with parent involvement
  3. 3

    1105 Quintara Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 104 children

    Little Star Preschool Too receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the warm, welcoming environment and dedicated teachers. Parents consistently report significant child development across academic, social, and emotional areas, with children eager to attend daily. The school is commended for quality facilities, engaging activities, community involvement, and strong parent communication.

    Caring and dedicated teachersindividual attention to each child's needsstrong child development (academic/social/emotional)warm and welcoming community atmosphere
  4. 4

    25 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children

    Parents consistently praise MCH as an exceptional Montessori school with highly experienced, long-tenured teachers (many with 25+ years), a calm and nurturing environment, and strong community. Children are reported to thrive developmentally with increased independence, confidence, and love of learning. The school is described as well-run, welcoming to working families, and fostering genuine friendships among parents.

    Experienced teaching staff with long tenureauth
  5. 5

    1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 48 children

    Parents universally praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and experienced leadership under Ms. Vasi. Children consistently show enthusiasm about attending, and parents report strong developmental progress across academics and life skills. The school fosters a warm, welcoming environment where children feel accepted and families feel supported.

    Caring and loving teachersexperienced leadership (Ms. Vasi)clean and well-maintained facilitiesstrong communication with parents
  6. 6

    1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 18 children

    Parents consistently praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and nurturing environment. Director Ms. Vasi and her experienced teaching staff are highlighted as deeply invested in children's development and highly communicative with families. Children show genuine enthusiasm for attending school and demonstrate strong developmental progress across academic and social-emotional skills.

    Experiencedcaringand loving staff; Director Ms. Vasi's involved leadership and mentorship; Cleanwell-maintained facilities; Extended hours (7:30am-6pm); Montessori curriculum emphasizing exploration and learning; Strong communication with parents about daily activities and developmental milestones; Continuity from infant through pre-K; Bilingual exposure; Staff longevity (15-20+ years); Family partnership approach to challenges like potty training
  7. 7

    1401 Broadway, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children

    Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery (TelHi) receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise it as a nurturing, community-focused cooperative preschool. Parents highlight the play-based learning model, exceptional teachers, strong sense of belonging, and diverse, inclusive environment. The parent participation component is valued for building lasting friendships and providing insight into their child's development.

    Cooperative model with parent invol
  8. 8
    St. Anne Preschool
    4.67 score
    5(10)

    1362a 14th Avenue, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 25 children

    St. Anne Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its experienced, caring staff and strong educational program. Parents highlight the school's balanced approach combining academics with developmental and social-emotional learning, along with excellent communication from director Judy. The facility fosters a strong sense of community among families.

    Experienced and dedicated teaching staff with high retention rateswarm and welcoming environmentstrong curriculum balancing academics and life skillslow student-teacher ratio
  9. 9
    Little Bee
    4.67 score
    5(10)

    2733 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 32 children

    Parents consistently praise Little Bee as an excellent preschool with caring, attentive staff and strong communication. The bilingual immersion program (Mandarin and English), outdoor exploration in the Presidio, organized curriculum, and active community are frequently highlighted as major strengths. All reviewers report positive experiences with their children's development and adjustment.

    Warm and attentive staffbilingual immersion (Mandarin)outdoor exploration in Presidiodaily photo/video updates
  10. 10

    3595 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

    Little People Preschool receives consistently positive reviews from parents whose children attended. Parents praise the nurturing staff, educational curriculum combined with engaging activities, and the director Galina's leadership. Children are reported to thrive academically and socially while enjoying the program daily.

    Caring and patient teachersclean and organized facilitybalanced mix of academics and hands-on activitiesquality meals provided

Rating Distribution

Based on 182 daycares with Google ratings in San Francisco

4.5 - 5.0
134
4.0 - 4.4
26
3.0 - 3.9
16
Below 3
6

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 1,030 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Friendly staff
7
2Nurturing environment
6
3Caring and loving staff
5
4Caring staff
4
5Great teachers
4
6Small class sizes
4
7Affordable tuition
4
8Friendly and helpful staff
4

Best Rated Neighborhoods

San Francisco zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9410512
5
3
941097
4.9
4
9411823
4.77
12
9413218
4.76
9
9411713
4.76
6
9411527
4.76
14
9412117
4.75
7
941148
4.73
5
941297
4.72
4
941235
4.67
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in San Francisco (12–400 children)

Small

up to 30 children

121

Medium

31–75 children

164

Large

76–150 children

56

Very Large

150+ children

17

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in San Francisco based on parent reviews

Moldovan Academy INC.

5(18)

1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA

Moldovan Academy receives consistent 5-star reviews from parents who praise the school's warm, caring environment and strong focus on social-emotional development. Parents report significant developmental gains in their children's speech, emotional regulation, and social skills, along with enthusiasm for attending school daily. The facility is noted for its small class sizes, engaging curriculum, and dedicated leadership under owner Kathleen.

Warm and caring teachersstrong social-emotional development focussmall class sizes

Laurel Hill Nursery School

5(17)

401 Euclid Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Laurel Hill Nursery School is a play-based cooperative preschool in San Francisco with consistently excellent ratings. Parents praise the caring teachers, nurturing community atmosphere, exceptional outdoor space, and the co-op model that encourages parental involvement and education. Families report significant positive impacts on their children's development and their own parenting skills.

Experienced and caring teachersplay-based learning approachlarge and well-equipped outdoor space

Little Star Preschool Too

5(17)

1105 Quintara Street, San Francisco, CA

Little Star Preschool Too receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the warm, welcoming environment and dedicated teachers. Parents consistently report significant child development across academic, social, and emotional areas, with children eager to attend daily. The school is commended for quality facilities, engaging activities, community involvement, and strong parent communication.

Caring and dedicated teachersindividual attention to each child's needsstrong child development (academic/social/emotional)

Montessori Children'S House Of The West Coast

5(17)

25 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA

Parents consistently praise MCH as an exceptional Montessori school with highly experienced, long-tenured teachers (many with 25+ years), a calm and nurturing environment, and strong community. Children are reported to thrive developmentally with increased independence, confidence, and love of learning. The school is described as well-run, welcoming to working families, and fostering genuine friendships among parents.

Experienced teaching staff with long tenureauth

Montessori School Of The Bay Area INC.

5(16)

1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA

Parents universally praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and experienced leadership under Ms. Vasi. Children consistently show enthusiasm about attending, and parents report strong developmental progress across academics and life skills. The school fosters a warm, welcoming environment where children feel accepted and families feel supported.

Caring and loving teachersexperienced leadership (Ms. Vasi)clean and well-maintained facilities

Montessori School Of The Bay Area INC. - Infant

5(16)

1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA

Parents consistently praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and nurturing environment. Director Ms. Vasi and her experienced teaching staff are highlighted as deeply invested in children's development and highly communicative with families. Children show genuine enthusiasm for attending school and demonstrate strong developmental progress across academic and social-emotional skills.

Experiencedcaringand loving staff; Director Ms. Vasi's involved leadership and mentorship; Clean

Map

Daycare Centers in San Francisco, California

San Francisco offers a diverse landscape of childcare options, ranging from specialized speech and hearing support to standard preschool environments. Parents consistently highlight the warmth of the staff and the nurturing atmosphere as key factors in their positive experiences. The directory includes facilities across various neighborhoods, with the 94105 zip code standing out for its consistently high ratings.

Based on Google reviews, daycares in San Francisco have an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 across 182 rated facilities, with 74% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.76 stars. Our analysis covers 1,030 parent reviews. Parents in San Francisco most frequently praise daycares for friendly staff, nurturing environment, and caring and loving staff.

When choosing a daycare in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco

Showing 358 results

Russian Hill School
Before or After School Daycare
5

One parent reports that their daughter enjoys the program, noting the school's success in delivering an enriching curriculum and maintaining strong communication through weekly email updates with photos. Another review highlights the importance of the service without providing specific details about the childcare experience.

enriching curriculumeffective parent communicationweekly email updates with photos
Address
2026 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 202-0525
Happy Day Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent describes the facility as a cozy preschool with bilingual English and Cantonese instruction, featuring Halloween neighborhood walks and end-of-year performances. Another review notes that the program provides good training for children.

bilingual English and Cantonese instructionengaging staffcommunity events like Halloween walks
Address
809 Taraval Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 564-7999
The Learning Bridge Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Reviewers highlight the exceptional staff stability and deep care at The Learning Bridge, noting long-tenured teachers like Jane, Evelyn, and Queenie who create a nurturing environment. Parents appreciate the thoughtful community building, such as surprise birthday celebrations, and report high satisfaction with their children's development and experience.

stable and experienced staffpersonalized carestrong community building
Address
1050 Kirkham Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 753-1802
St. Philip The Apostle Preschool Day Care Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent highlights the wonderful preschool environment, noting kind and caring teachers who facilitate activities such as art, mathematics, and mindfulness. The review specifically praises staff members for fostering a nurturing and loving atmosphere that supports children's growth.

kind teacherscaring staffdiverse activities including art
Address
725 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 282-0141
Mission Head Start-Bernal Dwellings Childcare Ctr.
Headstart Programs
5
Address
3125 - 3141 26th Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 826-1653
Moldovan Academy INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Moldovan Academy receives consistent 5-star reviews from parents who praise the school's warm, caring environment and strong focus on social-emotional development. Parents report significant developmental gains in their children's speech, emotional regulation, and social skills, along with enthusiasm for attending school daily. The facility is noted for its small class sizes, engaging curriculum, and dedicated leadership under owner Kathleen.

Warm and caring teachersstrong social-emotional development focussmall class sizes
Address
1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 549-7470
Montessori Children'S Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One reviewer highlights the staff and the rewarding experience of working with children, while another notes the school's suitability for early childhood education student observations. A third review consists solely of a name.

Supportive staffrewarding work environmentgood for ECE student observations
Address
80 Juan Bautista Circle, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 333-4410
Pacific Primary
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

A few parents describe Pacific Primary as an exciting environment with a quirky and caring staff that fosters child growth. Reviewers highlight the strong sense of community within the center.

exciting environmentstaff genuinely care about childrenfocus on growth and development
Address
1500 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 346-0906
Sfusd-Jefferson Early Education School-Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
1350 25th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 759-2852
Sfusd-Commodore Stockton Early Ed School (Ps)
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent describes the school and its staff, including teachers and cleaning personnel, as very kind and friendly. Another reviewer notes that the teachers are very amiable, characterizing the school as very good.

friendly staffkind teachershelpful cleaning personnel
Address
1 Trenton St., Rms 1/2/3/4, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 291-7932
Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery (TelHi) receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise it as a nurturing, community-focused cooperative preschool. Parents highlight the play-based learning model, exceptional teachers, strong sense of belonging, and diverse, inclusive environment. The parent participation component is valued for building lasting friendships and providing insight into their child's development.

Cooperative model with parent invol
Address
1401 Broadway, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 421-3313
Phoebe A. Hearst Preschool Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent describes Phoebe Hearst as an awesome and well-run preschool where their son enjoyed his time, noting the availability of extra services like speech and occupational therapy. Another reviewer simply mentions that there is ample parking in the area.

well-run preschoolenjoyable experience for childrenavailable speech and occupational therapy
Address
1315 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 931-1018
Chinatown Community Children'S Center-North Beach
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Parents describe the center as a fantastic, engaging environment with ideal student-to-teacher ratios and diverse, caring staff. Reviewers highlight the bilingual curriculum, nutritious in-house cooking, and comprehensive safety precautions as key benefits for their children's social and cultural development.

bilingual English and Mandarin instructionideal student-to-teacher ratiodiverse class environment
Address
715 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 986-2528
Compass Children'S Center - Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

A parent with multiple children attending the center highlights the staff's deep knowledge of individual children and their ability to provide loving care during both good and difficult days. The review specifically praises the director and co-director for revitalizing the center and commends specific teachers for their effectiveness in areas like potty training.

staff personalizationexperienced teacherssupportive leadership
Address
144 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 644-0504
Friends Of Potrero Hill Nursery School
Before or After School Daycare
5
Address
1060-A Tennessee Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 864-5464
Glen Park Montessori
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Parents describe the curriculum and teaching staff as exceptional, noting significant improvements in subjects like math, language, and botogy compared to other Montessori schools. Families also highlight the supportive parent community and extended operating hours from 8am to 6pm as key benefits.

excellent curriculumworld-class teacherssupportive parent community
Address
647 Chenery Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 585-7701
Alta Plaza Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Reviewers highlight the school's ability to balance structure with flexibility, noting welcoming teachers and a strong sense of community. Parents appreciate the daily park access, diverse activities, and responsive staff, though specific operational complaints are not detailed.

flexible schedulingwell-organized yet adaptable curriculumkind and experienced teachers
Address
2140 Pierce Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 928-6483
Ccfc-Vv Leland Center (P)
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent who has known the school since 2007 describes it as a nice and great institution, noting that while changes have occurred over the last decade, the quality remains positive. No specific complaints or negatives were identified in the available feedback.

long-term presencepositive atmosphereperceived as a great school
Address
325 Leland Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 921-7019
Centro Las Olas
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
3737 26th Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 821-6527
Chibi-Chan Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Chibi Chan Preschool receives universal praise from parents for its caring, diverse community and attentive staff. Parents highlight excellent teacher-to-student ratios, strong communication, comprehensive programming including extracurricular activities, and successful preparation of children for kindergarten. Families report smooth transitions and lasting friendships formed at the school.

Kind and thoughtful staffhigh teacher-to-student ratios (at least 3 per class)diverse and inclusive community
Address
2507 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 351-0955
Soma Daycare & Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

SOMA Daycare & Preschool receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise it as an exceptional learning environment with caring, dedicated staff. Parents highlight the small size, individualized attention, creative curriculum, and smooth transitions for young children. Multiple families describe it as a nurturing community where children thrive socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

Dedicated and well-trained teacherssmall class sizes with low teacher-to-student ratiosindividualized attention
Address
1112 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 418-4834
Kids By The Bay - Infant
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Parents highlight the center's spacious, well-lit classrooms and extensive outdoor and indoor play areas, including a dedicated toddler zone and mud kitchen. Reviewers appreciate the on-site chef providing healthy meals, year-round availability, and the enhanced security provided by the facility's location within a government building.

Spacious and well-ventilated classroomsabundant natural lightlarge outdoor playground with toddler area and mud kitchen
Address
90 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 554-8100
St. Anne Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

St. Anne Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its experienced, caring staff and strong educational program. Parents highlight the school's balanced approach combining academics with developmental and social-emotional learning, along with excellent communication from director Judy. The facility fosters a strong sense of community among families.

Experienced and dedicated teaching staff with high retention rateswarm and welcoming environmentstrong curriculum balancing academics and life skills
Address
1362a 14th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 731-2355
Teremok
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent highlights the center for its wonderful teacher, Tonia, noting that their children are learning a lot and expressing strong satisfaction with the experience. A second review briefly describes the location and staff as great without providing further detail.

wonderful teacherlearning environmentgreat people
Address
2460 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 441-3866
Maureen & Craig Sullivan Youth Services
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
801 Jessie Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 863-1171
Up On Top After School
Before or After School Daycare
5

One parent describes the after-school program as an amazing experience and expresses gratitude for discovering the location. The single review highlights a highly positive interaction without citing specific operational details or complaints.

amazing experiencethankful for finding the place
Address
1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 225-6558
1st Place 2 Start
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
1252 Sunnydale Ave, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 333-2659
Alemany Center-Head Start (Ps)
Headstart Programs
5
Address
956 Ellsworth Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 635-0904
Alpha Kids Academy LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Parents highlight a nurturing environment with loving staff, engaging learning activities, and reasonable tuition, noting that children are eager to attend and develop new skills. Families appreciate the detailed daily communication, convenient parking, and proximity to a playground for after-care socializing. No negative aspects were reported in the available feedback.

nurturing environmentloving and gentle staffengaging indoor and outdoor activities
Address
175 Junipero Serra Blvd, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 664-8080
Bambini Montessori School
Before or After School Daycare
5

Parents highlight the school's effective Montessori approach, noting that children develop strong independence, confidence, and academic readiness in reading, math, and science. Families appreciate the transparent communication through daily photo updates and responsive teacher messaging, as well as the inclusion of free language immersion programs.

Montessori curriculum fostering independence and academic skillsdaily photo updates via appresponsive teacher communication
Address
2042 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA
Phone
(415) 668-8828

Page 1 of 12· 358 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 358 all daycares in San Francisco, California. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in San Francisco have an average Google rating of 4.57 out of 5 across 182 rated facilities. About 74% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in San Francisco, 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
San Francisco offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 294 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 16 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 9 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 39 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 San Francisco for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in San Francisco 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.
The 94105 zip code is the best-rated area, maintaining an average of 5/5 stars across 12 facilities.
Reviewers frequently mention friendly, caring, and loving staff, as well as a nurturing environment.
Yes, the directory includes specialized options like the Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California, which holds a 4.5/5 rating.