Children at daycare

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Rancho Sta Margarita, CA

Compare 9 child daycare & preschools in Rancho Sta Margarita. Average rating: 3.55/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Rancho Sta Margarita, California at a glance

Programs
9
Avg rating
3.55/5
Parent reviews
41
Top rated (4.5+)
1

Rancho Sta Margarita has 9 licensed child daycare & preschools with 41 parent reviews averaging 3.55/5.The largest concentration is in 92688 with 11 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Rancho Sta Margarita

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
    Limai Montessori Academy
    4.47 score
    4.7(10)

    30075 Comercio, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 81 children

    LiMai Montessori Academy receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, experienced teachers, and effective Montessori methods. However, one detailed negative review raises serious concerns about hygiene issues (lice), child safety lapses, staff behavior, and inadequate parent communication.

    Caring and experienced teachers with long tenurewelcoming directoreffective Montessori curriculumchildren's academic progress and enthusiasm

Rating Distribution

Based on 2 daycares with Google ratings in Rancho Sta Margarita

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

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Rancho Sta Margarita, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.55avg rating
9 daycares · 2 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
2 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Rancho Sta Margarita zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9268811
3.55
1

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Rancho Sta Margarita (24–135 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

3

Large

76–150 children

5

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Rancho Sta Margarita based on parent reviews

Limai Montessori Academy

4.7(10)

30075 Comercio, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA

LiMai Montessori Academy receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, experienced teachers, and effective Montessori methods. However, one detailed negative review raises serious concerns about hygiene issues (lice), child safety lapses, staff behavior, and inadequate parent communication.

Caring and experienced teachers with long tenurewelcoming directoreffective Montessori curriculum

Saddleback Ymca-Arroyo Vista Program Center

2.4(3)

23371 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA

One parent highlights the staff's dedication to homework assistance and engaging activities like field trips, while another provides a neutral rating from their child's perspective. Conversely, a single critic reports a negative experience, stating that the school environment is unkind and teachers are unhelpful.

supportive staffhomework assistancefun activities

Map

Daycare types in Rancho Sta Margarita

Child Daycare & Preschools 9Before or After School Daycare 2

Child Daycare & Preschools in Rancho Sta Margarita, California

There are 9 child daycare & preschools in Rancho Sta Margarita, California, making up 82% of the 11 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 Rancho Sta Margarita have an average rating of 3.55 out of 5 across 2 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 3.55 stars. Our analysis covers 41 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Rancho Sta Margarita, 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 Rancho Sta Margarita

Showing 9 results

Limai Montessori Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.7

LiMai Montessori Academy receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, experienced teachers, and effective Montessori methods. However, one detailed negative review raises serious concerns about hygiene issues (lice), child safety lapses, staff behavior, and inadequate parent communication.

Caring and experienced teachers with long tenurewelcoming directoreffective Montessori curriculum
Address
30075 Comercio, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 589-6440
Saddleback Ymca-Arroyo Vista Program Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.4

One parent highlights the staff's dedication to homework assistance and engaging activities like field trips, while another provides a neutral rating from their child's perspective. Conversely, a single critic reports a negative experience, stating that the school environment is unkind and teachers are unhelpful.

supportive staffhomework assistancefun activities
Address
23371 Arroyo Vista, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 589-8502
St. John'S Episcopal School Early Childhood Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 858-5144
Saddleback Valley Ymca-Las Flores
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
25862 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 859-9622
Cal Elite Kids-Preschool Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools

Cal Elite Kids-Preschool Academy receives uniformly positive feedback from parents across preschool, gymnastics, dance, and swim programs. Parents consistently praise the caring and skilled staff, strong academic instruction, safe environment, and well-rounded developmental activities. Children are reported to gain confidence, advance academically, and form lasting positive relationships with teachers.

Skilled and caring staffstrong academic curriculumsafe and clean facilities
Address
22982 Avenida Empresa, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 589-1512
The Rancho Viejo School
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
29782 Avenida De Las Banderas, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 459-0199
St.Junipero Serra Catholic Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
23652 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 888-1990
Kindercare Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools

KinderCare Learning Center in Rancho Santa Margarita receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with parents praising the warm, caring staff and strong educational programs. One parent reported serious concerns about staff behavior and child safety. Overall, the center is highly recommended by most families for its supportive environment and development-focused curriculum.

Phonics program effectivenesscaring and loving teacherswarm and welcoming environment
Address
30062 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 888-8880
Capistrano Unified School District-Tijeras Creek
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
23072 Avenida Empressa, Rancho Sta Margarita, CA
Phone
(949) 234-5346

Page 1 of 1· 9 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 9 child daycare & preschools daycares in Rancho Sta Margarita, California, out of 11 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 Rancho Sta Margarita have an average Google rating of 3.55 out of 5 across 2 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Rancho Sta Margarita, 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
Rancho Sta Margarita offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 9 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 2 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 Rancho Sta Margarita for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Rancho Sta Margarita 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.