46 Daycare Centers in San Rafael, California
Browse all 46 daycare centers in San Rafael, California. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in San Rafael
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.
- 1Creart Early Education & Preschool4.64 score5(9)
1055 Las Ovejas Ave., #9 & #10, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children
CreArt Early Education & Preschool in San Rafael receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the nurturing, creative environment and dedicated staff led by owner Patricia. Parents consistently highlight their children's happiness, the school's inclusive community, and their peace of mind leaving their children in the center's care.
Loving and nurturing teacherscreative daily activitiesoutdoor playnatural classroom design - 2Montessori In Motion4.64 score5(9)
3 Wellbrock Heights, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children
Montessori in Motion is highly praised by parents for its nurturing Montessori approach, skilled and caring staff, and emphasis on fostering independence and confidence in children. Parents consistently report their children thriving academically and socially, with smooth transitions to kindergarten. The program is described as a loving, intimate community with small class sizes and a well-structured curriculum.
Passionate and caring staffstrong academic preparationindependence and confidence buildingsmall class sizes - 3Creart Early Education & Preschool-Infant Program4.64 score5(9)
1055 Las Ovejas Ave., #9 & #10, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 18 children
CreArt Early Education & Preschool-Infant Program in San Rafael receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the nurturing environment, dedicated staff led by owner Patricia, and creative curriculum. Parents consistently highlight their children's happiness, safety, and strong attachment to teachers, with many noting their children eagerly return to school.
Caring and loving teachersowner Patricia's dedication and personal attentioncreative daily activities including artmusic instruction - 4Trinity Preschool4.58 score5(7)
333 Woodland Ave, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 92 children
Trinity Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its warm, caring environment and well-rounded curriculum that balances learning with play. Parents highlight the dedicated teaching staff, strong academic preparation for kindergarten, and excellent facilities including outdoor spaces. The center is also noted for its flexibility, community atmosphere, and additional offerings like summer camp and extracurricular classes.
Warm and caring environmentclean and organizedexcellent outdoor play areawell-rounded curriculum - 5City Of San Rafael - Pickleweed P/S4.41 score4.6(11)
40 Canal Street, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 44 children
Pickleweed is a well-regarded community center with a beautiful location overlooking San Rafael Bay and marshes. Parents appreciate its modern facilities including a gym, sports field, park, and various event spaces. The center is noted for cleanliness and offering diverse recreational activities.
Beautiful location with bay viewsmodern facilitiesgym with outdoor accessadjacent park - 6Bright Stars Toddler & Preschool4.4 score4.6(10)
1055 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children
Bright Stars Toddler & Preschool in San Rafael receives consistently high praise from parents. Reviews highlight the clean facilities, caring and experienced staff, hands-on ownership, and strong focus on child safety and development. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving at the center.
Clean facilityfriendly and caring staffexperienced teachershands-on owner (Nahid) - 7Bright Stars Infant Center4.4 score4.6(10)
1055 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 15 children
Bright Stars Infant Center receives uniformly positive reviews from parents who praise the clean, safe facility and caring, experienced staff. Parents consistently highlight the hands-on owner Nahid, engaging activities, and strong sense of community. Children are reported to be happy, thriving, and excited to attend.
Clean facilityfriendly and compassionate staffexperienced teachershands-on owner - 8Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool & Kindergarten INC.4.31 score4.5(8)
1055 Las Ovejas, San Rafael, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 100 children
Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool & Kindergarten receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with particular praise for the caring, experienced teaching staff and strong focus on emotional development and individual attention. Parents report significant improvements in their children's social skills, independence, and enthusiasm for school. One unrelated negative review appears to describe an incident with a staff member toward non-students outside of school context.
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in San Rafael based on parent reviews
Creart Early Education & Preschool
1055 Las Ovejas Ave., #9 & #10, San Rafael, CA
CreArt Early Education & Preschool in San Rafael receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the nurturing, creative environment and dedicated staff led by owner Patricia. Parents consistently highlight their children's happiness, the school's inclusive community, and their peace of mind leaving their children in the center's care.
Montessori In Motion
3 Wellbrock Heights, San Rafael, CA
Montessori in Motion is highly praised by parents for its nurturing Montessori approach, skilled and caring staff, and emphasis on fostering independence and confidence in children. Parents consistently report their children thriving academically and socially, with smooth transitions to kindergarten. The program is described as a loving, intimate community with small class sizes and a well-structured curriculum.
Creart Early Education & Preschool-Infant Program
1055 Las Ovejas Ave., #9 & #10, San Rafael, CA
CreArt Early Education & Preschool-Infant Program in San Rafael receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the nurturing environment, dedicated staff led by owner Patricia, and creative curriculum. Parents consistently highlight their children's happiness, safety, and strong attachment to teachers, with many noting their children eagerly return to school.
Trinity Preschool
333 Woodland Ave, San Rafael, CA
Trinity Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its warm, caring environment and well-rounded curriculum that balances learning with play. Parents highlight the dedicated teaching staff, strong academic preparation for kindergarten, and excellent facilities including outdoor spaces. The center is also noted for its flexibility, community atmosphere, and additional offerings like summer camp and extracurricular classes.
City Of San Rafael - Pickleweed P/S
40 Canal Street, San Rafael, CA
Pickleweed is a well-regarded community center with a beautiful location overlooking San Rafael Bay and marshes. Parents appreciate its modern facilities including a gym, sports field, park, and various event spaces. The center is noted for cleanliness and offering diverse recreational activities.
Bright Stars Toddler & Preschool
1055 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA
Bright Stars Toddler & Preschool in San Rafael receives consistently high praise from parents. Reviews highlight the clean facilities, caring and experienced staff, hands-on ownership, and strong focus on child safety and development. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving at the center.
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Daycare types in San Rafael
Browse by type in San Rafael
Daycare Centers in San Rafael, California
There are 46 daycare centers in San Rafael, California. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.
When choosing a daycare in San Rafael, 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 Rafael
Showing 46 results
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 499-1277
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas, Rm.#17, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 507-0460
Trinity Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its warm, caring environment and well-rounded curriculum that balances learning with play. Parents highlight the dedicated teaching staff, strong academic preparation for kindergarten, and excellent facilities including outdoor spaces. The center is also noted for its flexibility, community atmosphere, and additional offerings like summer camp and extracurricular classes.
- Address
- 333 Woodland Ave, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 453-4526
- Address
- 51 Albert Park Lane, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 485-3388
CreArt Early Education & Preschool in San Rafael receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the nurturing, creative environment and dedicated staff led by owner Patricia. Parents consistently highlight their children's happiness, the school's inclusive community, and their peace of mind leaving their children in the center's care.
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas Ave., #9 & #10, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 444-0600
- Address
- 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 444-8042
- Address
- 610 Del Ganado, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-7373
Montessori in Motion is highly praised by parents for its nurturing Montessori approach, skilled and caring staff, and emphasis on fostering independence and confidence in children. Parents consistently report their children thriving academically and socially, with smooth transitions to kindergarten. The program is described as a loving, intimate community with small class sizes and a well-structured curriculum.
- Address
- 3 Wellbrock Heights, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 342-6622
- Address
- 70 Skyview Terrace, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-6026
- Address
- 800 Belle Avenue, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 485-3121
- Address
- 1100 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 456-1702
CreArt Early Education & Preschool-Infant Program in San Rafael receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the nurturing environment, dedicated staff led by owner Patricia, and creative curriculum. Parents consistently highlight their children's happiness, safety, and strong attachment to teachers, with many noting their children eagerly return to school.
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas Ave., #9 & #10, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 444-0600
- Address
- 2000 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-4140
Bright Stars Toddler & Preschool in San Rafael receives consistently high praise from parents. Reviews highlight the clean facilities, caring and experienced staff, hands-on ownership, and strong focus on child safety and development. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving at the center.
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (925) 798-7202
Pickleweed is a well-regarded community center with a beautiful location overlooking San Rafael Bay and marshes. Parents appreciate its modern facilities including a gym, sports field, park, and various event spaces. The center is noted for cleanliness and offering diverse recreational activities.
- Address
- 40 Canal Street, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 485-3101
Bright Stars Infant Center receives uniformly positive reviews from parents who praise the clean, safe facility and caring, experienced staff. Parents consistently highlight the hands-on owner Nahid, engaging activities, and strong sense of community. Children are reported to be happy, thriving, and excited to attend.
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 310-7543
Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool & Kindergarten receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with particular praise for the caring, experienced teaching staff and strong focus on emotional development and individual attention. Parents report significant improvements in their children's social skills, independence, and enthusiasm for school. One unrelated negative review appears to describe an incident with a staff member toward non-students outside of school context.
- Address
- 1055 Las Ovejas, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 492-0550
- Address
- 251 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 472-1663
- Address
- 360 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-8980
- Address
- 123 Knight Drive, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 457-9500
- Address
- 251 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-2771
Note: The reviews provided are for the MARIN YMCA facility, not the afterschool program. Reviews praise the facility's cleanliness, equipment quality, and affordable sliding-scale membership fees. Concerns include limited weight room equipment and occasional overcrowding.
- Address
- 75 Happy Lane, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 485-2440
- Address
- 8 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-8865
- Address
- 138 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 479-8865
Parents consistently praise Bright Horizons at Marin Commons for its caring, attentive staff and warm environment. The center receives high marks for teacher-child relationships, curriculum emphasis on reading, clear daily communication, and child development. Multiple families report their children were well-prepared for kindergarten and felt safe and excited to attend.
- Address
- 1600 Los Gamos Drive, Ste 230, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 492-2262
- Address
- 215 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 457-1444
- Address
- 125 Bahia Way, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 485-2419
- Address
- 199 Greenfield, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 454-1243
- Address
- 498 Point San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 485-2450
- Address
- 850 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael, CA
- Phone
- (415) 472-2373
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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 — 40 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 5 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 1 facilities