Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Costa Mesa, CA
Compare 30 child daycare & preschools in Costa Mesa. Average rating: 4.17/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Costa Mesa, California at a glance
- Programs
- 30
- Avg rating
- 4.17/5
- Parent reviews
- 88
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 11
Costa Mesa has 30 licensed child daycare & preschools with 88 parent reviews averaging 4.17/5.11 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 55% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 92627 zip code, averaging 4.43 stars across 19 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Costa Mesa
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.
- 1Christ Lutheran Preschool4.75 score5(15)
760 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 122 children
Christ Lutheran Preschool in Costa Mesa receives consistently positive feedback from families and visitors. Parents praise the welcoming community atmosphere, caring staff, and positive educational environment where children thrive. The facility is noted for its secure campus and strong sense of community connection.
welcoming congregationcaring and amazing teacherschildren thriving and loving schoolsecure campus - 2Montessori Harbor Mesa4.64 score5(9)
1701 West Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
Montessori Harbor Mesa receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, patient teachers and the school's leadership under Mrs. De Frenza. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with strong developmental progress and a structured yet playful learning environment. The school has built loyalty across generations, with former students now enrolling their own children.
caring and patient teachersstrong academic advancementsocial developmentstructured and playful environment - 3Lindbergh Child Development Center4.55 score5(6)
220 23rd Street, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 256 children
Lindbergh Child Development Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring teaching staff and quality meal offerings. Parents report their children are thriving and express satisfaction with the affordable tuition rates. The center appears to be highly regarded by families.
Loving and sweet teachersexcellent meals providedaffordable tuitionchildren thriving - 4Giant Step Learning Center4.5 score5(5)
758 St. Clair Street, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 42 children
Giant Step Learning Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, nurturing environment and attentive staff. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, regular communication, educational activities, and affordable pricing compared to other Costa Mesa facilities. The center is described as creating a welcoming community atmosphere with good outdoor space and multi-age interactions.
warm and welcoming environmentattentive and caring staffstrong teacher-child bondsregular parent communication - 5Coastal Children'S Learning Center4.39 score4.6(9)
2245 Orange Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 39 children
Coastal Children's Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents who appreciate the warm, nurturing environment and strong community feel. Parents highlight the caring staff, engaging curriculum that balances play and learning, and the director Katrina's involvement and accessibility. Children are reported to thrive socially and developmentally while enjoying daily activities and forming strong friendships.
Kind and welcoming teacherssmall tight-knit communityclean classroomsarts and crafts activities - 6Nobis Preschool4.37 score4.5(14)
190 East 15th Street, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
Parents consistently praise NOBIS PRESCHOOL for its caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Director Melinda and teachers are highlighted as genuinely invested in children's development, providing detailed daily updates and enriching activities. Multiple families report multi-year enrollments and smooth transitions between classroom levels.
Caring and attentive teachersstrong director leadershipdetailed daily communicationenriching activities and summer programs - 7Harbor Trinity Preschool4.18 score4.3(8)
1230 Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 90 children
Harbor Trinity Preschool is a faith-based preschool in Costa Mesa with overwhelmingly positive reviews highlighting caring, loving staff and strong academics. Parents report their children are advanced learners who enjoy attending. One negative review cited poor communication regarding overdue tuition and inflexible policies regarding late pickup.
loving and caring teachersstrong academicsfaith-based environmentwelcoming staff
Rating Distribution
Based on 20 daycares with Google ratings in Costa Mesa
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Costa Mesa, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Costa Mesa zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92627 | 19 | 4.43 | 7 | |
| 92626 | 14 | 3.8 | 3 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Costa Mesa (20–256 children)
Small
up to 30 children
7
Medium
31–75 children
22
Large
76–150 children
4
Very Large
150+ children
1
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Costa Mesa based on parent reviews
Christ Lutheran Preschool
760 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA
Christ Lutheran Preschool in Costa Mesa receives consistently positive feedback from families and visitors. Parents praise the welcoming community atmosphere, caring staff, and positive educational environment where children thrive. The facility is noted for its secure campus and strong sense of community connection.
Montessori Harbor Mesa
1701 West Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA
Montessori Harbor Mesa receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, patient teachers and the school's leadership under Mrs. De Frenza. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with strong developmental progress and a structured yet playful learning environment. The school has built loyalty across generations, with former students now enrolling their own children.
Lindbergh Child Development Center
220 23rd Street, Costa Mesa, CA
Lindbergh Child Development Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring teaching staff and quality meal offerings. Parents report their children are thriving and express satisfaction with the affordable tuition rates. The center appears to be highly regarded by families.
Giant Step Learning Center
758 St. Clair Street, Costa Mesa, CA
Giant Step Learning Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, nurturing environment and attentive staff. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, regular communication, educational activities, and affordable pricing compared to other Costa Mesa facilities. The center is described as creating a welcoming community atmosphere with good outdoor space and multi-age interactions.
Coastal Children'S Learning Center
2245 Orange Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
Coastal Children's Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents who appreciate the warm, nurturing environment and strong community feel. Parents highlight the caring staff, engaging curriculum that balances play and learning, and the director Katrina's involvement and accessibility. Children are reported to thrive socially and developmentally while enjoying daily activities and forming strong friendships.
Nobis Preschool
190 East 15th Street, Costa Mesa, CA
Parents consistently praise NOBIS PRESCHOOL for its caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Director Melinda and teachers are highlighted as genuinely invested in children's development, providing detailed daily updates and enriching activities. Multiple families report multi-year enrollments and smooth transitions between classroom levels.
Map
Daycare types in Costa Mesa
Browse by type in Costa Mesa
Child Daycare & Preschools in Costa Mesa, California
There are 30 child daycare & preschools in Costa Mesa, California, making up 88% of the 34 total childcare facilities in the city. 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 Costa Mesa have an average rating of 4.17 out of 5 across 20 rated facilities, with 55% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.22 stars. Our analysis covers 88 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Costa Mesa, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Child Daycare & Preschools in Costa Mesa
Showing 30 results
Christ Lutheran Preschool in Costa Mesa receives consistently positive feedback from families and visitors. Parents praise the welcoming community atmosphere, caring staff, and positive educational environment where children thrive. The facility is noted for its secure campus and strong sense of community connection.
- Address
- 760 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 631-1639
- Address
- 2987 Mesa Verde East, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 336-8015
- Address
- 301 Magnolia Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 631-7294
Lindbergh Child Development Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring teaching staff and quality meal offerings. Parents report their children are thriving and express satisfaction with the affordable tuition rates. The center appears to be highly regarded by families.
- Address
- 220 23rd Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 650-2506
Montessori Harbor Mesa receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, patient teachers and the school's leadership under Mrs. De Frenza. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with strong developmental progress and a structured yet playful learning environment. The school has built loyalty across generations, with former students now enrolling their own children.
- Address
- 1701 West Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 549-3803
- Address
- 1941 Church Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 646-4318
Giant Step Learning Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, nurturing environment and attentive staff. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, regular communication, educational activities, and affordable pricing compared to other Costa Mesa facilities. The center is described as creating a welcoming community atmosphere with good outdoor space and multi-age interactions.
- Address
- 758 St. Clair Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 540-1775
Coastal Children's Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents who appreciate the warm, nurturing environment and strong community feel. Parents highlight the caring staff, engaging curriculum that balances play and learning, and the director Katrina's involvement and accessibility. Children are reported to thrive socially and developmentally while enjoying daily activities and forming strong friendships.
- Address
- 2245 Orange Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 722-1005
Parents consistently praise NOBIS PRESCHOOL for its caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Director Melinda and teachers are highlighted as genuinely invested in children's development, providing detailed daily updates and enriching activities. Multiple families report multi-year enrollments and smooth transitions between classroom levels.
- Address
- 190 East 15th Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 548-2550
Harbor Trinity Preschool is a faith-based preschool in Costa Mesa with overwhelmingly positive reviews highlighting caring, loving staff and strong academics. Parents report their children are advanced learners who enjoy attending. One negative review cited poor communication regarding overdue tuition and inflexible policies regarding late pickup.
- Address
- 1230 Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 556-4335
Parents highlight exceptional, family-like care from dedicated teachers and the director, noting a safe, nurturing environment that balances play with gentle structure. Reviewers report strong academic and social development for children starting as young as six months, with small class sizes allowing for personalized attention and regular photo updates.
- Address
- 3013 Deodar Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 513-1686
- Address
- 2043 Meyer Place, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 548-4480
While some parents praise the kind teachers and affordable care, others report significant concerns regarding outdated classrooms, unsanitary conditions, and unprofessional behavior from staff. One reviewer notes that the center's unstructured environment may not suit children needing more guidance, citing an instance where staff inappropriately suggested a child had ADHD.
- Address
- 2525 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 437-1720
- Address
- 2380 Norte Dame Road, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 424-7960
- Address
- 1860 Anaheim Ave, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 548-8849
- Address
- 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 549-1882
- Address
- 398 University Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 548-3771
- Address
- 657 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 515-1700
- Address
- 2591 Irvine Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 631-9749
- Address
- 661 Hamilton Ave., Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 515-6895
- Address
- 3155 Killybrooke Lane, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 515-6622
- Address
- 1060 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 424-7950
- Address
- 966 Sonora Road, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 424-7955
- Address
- 1800 Whittier Ave., Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 515-6819
- Address
- 801 Wilson Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 515-6995
- Address
- 2350 Canyon Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 574-7775
- Address
- 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 424-7930
- Address
- 2051 Pomona Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 515-6645
- Address
- 1060 Paularino Ave, Rooms A & B, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (714) 650-9452
- Address
- 2025 Garden Lane, Costa Mesa, CA
- Phone
- (949) 650-3256
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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 — 30 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 4 facilities