33 Daycare Centers in Santa Maria, California

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Santa Maria

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

   Columbia Children'S Center INC.

   4.61 score

   4.8(16)

   840 East Stowell Road, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

   Columbia Children's Center receives consistently excellent feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents praise the warm, caring staff, strong developmental outcomes, and safe, engaging learning environment that prepares children well for kindergarten.

   Caring and attentive teacherswarm family-like atmospherestrong academic instruction and learning progressionsafe and well-maintained facility
2. 2

   Santa Maria Valley Ymca

   4.48 score

   4.6(20)

   3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 34 children

   Santa Maria Valley YMCA receives consistently high praise from members for its welcoming community atmosphere and friendly staff. Parents and members appreciate the diverse facilities, active involvement in the community, and sense of family-friendly environment. The facility offers comprehensive amenities including childcare, pools, fitness areas, and sports courts.

   Friendly and welcoming staffstrong sense of communitydiverse facilities and amenitiesclean facility
3. 3

   Small Wonders

   4.33 score

   4.6(6)

   712 East Chapel Street, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children

   Small Wonders receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the quality of education, cleanliness, and friendly staff. However, one parent raised concerns about staff-to-child ratios and communication about their child's needs during drop-in care.

   Educational curriculum with visible learning progressfriendly and caring staffclean facilitykid-friendly environment
4. 4

   Cac - Buena Vista Center

   4.25 score

   4.5(5)

   400 West Park Avenue, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 47 children

   CAC - Buena Vista Center receives consistently high praise for its clean facility, attentive staff, and quality care. Parents highlight the longevity of staff members, improvements in care quality, and the dedication of leadership, particularly the Director of Nursing and Director of Social Services.

   Clean facilityattentive and caring staffknowledgeable leadershipstaff longevity and consistency
5. 5

   Cac - Tanglewood Center

   4.24 score

   4.3(20)

   1890 Sandalwood Dr., Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 25 children

   The reviews do not appear to be from parents using this as a daycare center. Instead, they describe experiences at a community venue that hosts events, dinners, craft shows, and fundraisers. Reviewers praise the facility, food quality, pricing, and organization of various events held there.

   Clean facilityreasonable rental pricesquality food and chefgood event organization
6. 6

   Cac - J. C. Washington Center

   4.16 score

   4.3(6)

   201 W. Chapel St., Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

   Parents praise CAC - J. C. Washington Center for helpful and knowledgeable staff, describing it as an excellent and safe place for childcare. Staff members like Maria are noted for going above and beyond to assist families. One negative review appears to be misdirected, complaining about confusion with a different organization.

   Helpful and knowledgeable staffsafe environmentexcellent childcareresponsive assistance with family needs
7. 7

   Cac - Little Village Center

   4.16 score

   4.3(6)

   219 W. Chapel, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

   CAC - Little Village Center receives mostly positive reviews praising staff helpfulness and the facility as a safe, quality childcare environment. Staff members like Maria are noted for going above and beyond to assist families. One review appears to be misdirected, complaining about confusion with a different organization.

   helpful and knowledgeable staffsafe environment for childrenexcellent childcareresponsive to family needs
8. 8

   Cac - Westgate Center

   4.12 score

   4.2(8)

   1240 W. Bethel Ln., #1a, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

   CAC - Westgate Center receives mostly positive reviews praising staff friendliness, efficient communication, and well-maintained facilities. However, one reviewer reported poor customer service and an extremely long waitlist of 3 years.

   Friendly and efficient staffexcellent communicationwell-maintained groundsquick office response
9. 9

   Cac - Los Adobes Center

   3.94 score

   3.9(8)

   1026 W. Boone, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 17 children

   Reviews are mixed with most praising the friendly atmosphere and nice appearance of the facility. However, there is significant concern about overly restrictive management and intrusive neighbors that limit residents' activities and freedoms.

   friendly atmospherenice appearancegood neighborhoodwelcoming community
10. 10

    Cac - Meridan Center

    3.76 score

    3.7(20)

    1720 S. Depot, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

    Note: The reviews provided are for Vizcaya Apartments, a residential complex, not for CAC - Meridan Center daycare. The reviews cannot be used to assess the daycare's quality, safety, or services.

    Unable to assess - reviews are for wrong facility

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