Children at daycare

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Gardena, CA

Compare 15 child daycare & preschools in Gardena. Average rating: 4.6/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Gardena, California at a glance

Programs
15
Avg rating
4.6/5
Parent reviews
68
Top rated (4.5+)
6

Gardena has 15 licensed child daycare & preschools with 68 parent reviews averaging 4.6/5.6 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 67% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 90247 zip code, averaging 4.63 stars across 11 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Gardena

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
    Gardena Valley Christian Pre-School
    4.53 score
    4.9(7)

    1409 West 182nd Street, Gardena, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 75 children

    Parents consistently praise Gardena Valley Christian Pre-School for its loving, experienced staff and strong academic instruction, with many noting long-term positive impacts on their children's education and character development. Multiple reviewers are alumni who enrolled their own children based on their positive experiences. One parent expressed concern about additional potty training fees and annual enrollment fees on top of tuition.

    Loving and caring staffexperienced teachers and directorstrong academic outcomes (advanced reading and math skills)faith-based environment
  2. 2
    Gardena Buddhist Church
    4.52 score
    4.7(14)

    1517 W. 166th Street, Gardena, CA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 94 children

    Gardena Buddhist Church is a historic Japanese Buddhist temple and community center highly regarded for its cultural events, religious services, and Japanese language school. Reviews praise the welcoming community atmosphere, beautiful facilities, and meaningful cultural experiences including the annual Obon Festival.

    Historic templewelcoming and kind communityaffordable Japanese language schoolbeautiful serene space
  3. 3
    Rising Stars Child Development Center
    4.39 score
    4.5(17)

    762 W. 130th Street, Gardena, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

    Rising Stars Child Development Center in Gardena receives consistently excellent feedback from parents. All 10 reviews rate the facility 5/5 stars, praising the caring and professional staff, strong academic curriculum, and clean environment. Parents highlight their children's significant developmental progress and appreciate the regular communication from teachers.

    Patient and attentive staffstrong academic focus with measurable learning outcomesclean facilitiesexcellent parent-teacher communication
  4. 4
    Gardena Early Education Center
    4.15 score
    4.3(5)

    1350 West 177th Street, Gardena, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 168 children

    Gardena Early Education Center receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the teaching quality, cleanliness, and safety of the facility. Teachers are frequently described as patient, kind, and dedicated. One negative review criticized management and claimed poor child care standards.

    Patient and proficient teachersclean facilitysafe environmentdedicated staff

Rating Distribution

Based on 9 daycares with Google ratings in Gardena

4.5 - 5.0
6
4.0 - 4.4
2
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Gardena, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.45avg rating
15 daycares · 6 rated

Church Daycare

4.85avg rating
2 daycares · 2 rated

Before or After School Daycare

5avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Gardena zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9024711
4.63
5

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Gardena (18–168 children)

Small

up to 30 children

6

Medium

31–75 children

7

Large

76–150 children

5

Very Large

150+ children

1

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Gardena based on parent reviews

Gardena Valley Christian Pre-School

4.9(7)

1409 West 182nd Street, Gardena, CA

Parents consistently praise Gardena Valley Christian Pre-School for its loving, experienced staff and strong academic instruction, with many noting long-term positive impacts on their children's education and character development. Multiple reviewers are alumni who enrolled their own children based on their positive experiences. One parent expressed concern about additional potty training fees and annual enrollment fees on top of tuition.

Loving and caring staffexperienced teachers and directorstrong academic outcomes (advanced reading and math skills)

Rising Stars Child Development Center

4.5(17)

762 W. 130th Street, Gardena, CA

Rising Stars Child Development Center in Gardena receives consistently excellent feedback from parents. All 10 reviews rate the facility 5/5 stars, praising the caring and professional staff, strong academic curriculum, and clean environment. Parents highlight their children's significant developmental progress and appreciate the regular communication from teachers.

Patient and attentive staffstrong academic focus with measurable learning outcomesclean facilities

Gardena Early Education Center

4.3(5)

1350 West 177th Street, Gardena, CA

Gardena Early Education Center receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the teaching quality, cleanliness, and safety of the facility. Teachers are frequently described as patient, kind, and dedicated. One negative review criticized management and claimed poor child care standards.

Patient and proficient teachersclean facilitysafe environment

Twinkle Tots

4.3(2)

555 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., #100, Gardena, CA

Baby Geniuses Early Learning Center

5

15328 South Vermont, Gardena, CA

St Anthony'S Day Nursery

3.7(2)

1044 W. 163rd Street, Gardena, CA

Map

Daycare types in Gardena

Child Daycare & Preschools 15Headstart Programs 1Church Daycare 2Before or After School Daycare 1

Browse by type in Gardena

🎨 Preschools 3

Child Daycare & Preschools in Gardena, California

There are 15 child daycare & preschools in Gardena, California, making up 79% of the 19 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 Gardena have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 across 9 rated facilities, with 67% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 68 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Gardena, 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 Gardena

Showing 15 results

Baby Geniuses Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
15328 South Vermont, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 715-1582
Gardena Valley Christian Pre-School
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.9

Parents consistently praise Gardena Valley Christian Pre-School for its loving, experienced staff and strong academic instruction, with many noting long-term positive impacts on their children's education and character development. Multiple reviewers are alumni who enrolled their own children based on their positive experiences. One parent expressed concern about additional potty training fees and annual enrollment fees on top of tuition.

Loving and caring staffexperienced teachers and directorstrong academic outcomes (advanced reading and math skills)
Address
1409 West 182nd Street, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 324-9736
Rising Stars Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Rising Stars Child Development Center in Gardena receives consistently excellent feedback from parents. All 10 reviews rate the facility 5/5 stars, praising the caring and professional staff, strong academic curriculum, and clean environment. Parents highlight their children's significant developmental progress and appreciate the regular communication from teachers.

Patient and attentive staffstrong academic focus with measurable learning outcomesclean facilities
Address
762 W. 130th Street, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 324-5800
Gardena Early Education Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

Gardena Early Education Center receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the teaching quality, cleanliness, and safety of the facility. Teachers are frequently described as patient, kind, and dedicated. One negative review criticized management and claimed poor child care standards.

Patient and proficient teachersclean facilitysafe environment
Address
1350 West 177th Street, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 354-5091
Twinkle Tots
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3
Address
555 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., #100, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 818-4646
St Anthony'S Day Nursery
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7
Address
1044 W. 163rd Street, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 329-8654
Presbyterian Pre-School
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
1957 Redondo Beach Boulevard, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 329-4030
Amestoy Elementary School
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
1048 W. 149th Street, Room 21, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 327-5592
186th Street Elementary School Cspp
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
1581 West 186th Street, Room 9, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 324-1153
Gardena Christian Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
16311 South Western Avenue, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 527-0348
Van Ness Nursery School & Kindergarten
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
15408 Van Ness Ave., Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 323-4956
Baby Geniuses Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
15328 S. Vermont, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 715-1582
Yasuragi Child Care Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
16110 La Salle Avenue, Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 523-1994
Ymca Of Metropolitan Of L.A. Gardena/Carson Br.
Child Daycare & Preschools

Parents consistently praise the YMCA Gardena/Carson branch for its friendly and helpful staff, clean facilities, and quality preschool program. Children are reported to love attending, with parents particularly highlighting the staff's dedication to early childhood education and preparation for kindergarten. The facility offers various amenities including pools, fitness equipment, and sports courts.

Friendly and informative staffclean facilitiesquality preschool program
Address
1000 W. Artesia Blvd., Gardena, CA
Phone
(310) 523-3470
Pace-Bright Starts
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
14627 S. Western Avenue, Gardena, CA
Phone
(213) 989-3134

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Frequently asked questions

There are 15 child daycare & preschools daycares in Gardena, California, out of 19 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Gardena have an average Google rating of 4.6 out of 5 across 9 rated facilities. About 67% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Gardena, 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
Gardena offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 15 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 2 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 1 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 Gardena for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Gardena 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.