
Compare 248 child daycare & preschools in Sacramento. Average rating: 4.36/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Sacramento has 248 licensed child daycare & preschools with 963 parent reviews averaging 4.36/5.67 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 60% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 95831 (avg 5 stars), while 95814 has the largest selection (19 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
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.
5770 Carlson Drive, Sacramento, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 64 children
Fremont Nursery School receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise it as an exceptional, play-based preschool with caring and creative teachers. Parents consistently highlight their children's enthusiasm for school, strong academic and social-emotional development, and the warm community atmosphere. Multiple families have sent multiple children or attended themselves as children, indicating strong multi-generational satisfaction.
2224 Beaumont Street, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children
NHDF Child Development Center (Little Summit) in Sacramento receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the staff's expertise with children on the autism spectrum, the director's exceptional care and communication, and the center's clean, nurturing environment. Parents consistently report their children thrive academically and socially, with staff being attentive, kind, and easy to work with.
1820 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children
Cadence Education Inc - Alhambra receives uniformly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring and professional staff, quality curriculum, and strong communication through daily activity updates and photos. Parents report their children are excited to attend, experience good developmental progress, and benefit from a clean, well-organized facility with responsive leadership.
5315 H Street, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children
Creative Spaces Preschool and Learning Center receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the warm, attentive, and well-trained staff. Parents consistently highlight the clean, well-organized facility, nurturing environment, and developmental benefits that prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. The center is noted for excellent hours, limited closures, and a balance of structured learning with child-directed play.
4110 North Freeway Blvd, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children
DAR-UL-MADINAH is an Islamic center and school in Sacramento with a 4.8/5 Google rating. Parents praise it as a welcoming, well-managed facility that serves as both a mosque and educational institution for children and adults. The center offers prayer services, Quranic instruction, Islamic classes in multiple languages, and community programs for all ages.
3700 Knightlinger, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 48 children
Good Neighbors is a highly-rated daycare center in Sacramento with 10 five-star reviews. Parents consistently praise the quality of care, teacher engagement, and strong communication. The center has a 70+ year history in the community and provides scholarships to local high school students.
1630 12th Street, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children
DOT Tot Center receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, experienced staff with exceptional longevity, non-profit model, and inclusive services. Parents consistently highlight the director's responsiveness, strong teacher retention (some staff since the 1980s), and the significant convenience of included diapers, wipes, and meals. Families report their children thrive socially and emotionally in this affordable, well-managed environment.
1996 Del Paso Rd, Suite 178, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Inspire Preschool Academy in Sacramento receives consistently high praise from parents for its warm, family-like environment combined with strong academics and structured learning programs. Parents highlight the experienced, caring staff, developmentally appropriate curriculum with daily activities in music, art, and STEAM, and excellent communication with families. Children show strong kindergarten readiness and parents report smooth transitions and improved social-emotional skills.
3265 Norwood Avenue, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 48 children
Reviews praise Norma Johnson Early Learning Center as a beautiful nature-focused facility with well-maintained trails, educational programs, and community activities. Visitors highlight the outdoor features including ponds, butterfly exhibits, bird viewing areas, and various hiking paths suitable for families. The location serves as both an early learning center and public wilderness park with seasonal events and activities.
3235 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children
St. Ignatius Parish Preschool is a church-based facility in Sacramento with a 4.7/5 Google rating. Reviews consistently praise the spiritual atmosphere, sense of community, and welcoming environment. Parents highlight the school's educational quality, youth programs, and community outreach initiatives.
Based on 111 daycares with Google ratings in Sacramento
Top qualities mentioned across 963 reviews, analyzed by AI
Average ratings by facility type in Sacramento, based on parent reviews
Sacramento zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95831 | 14 | 5 | 1 | |
| 95819 | 9 | 4.96 | 5 | |
| 95829 | 9 | 4.9 | 2 | |
| 95838 | 8 | 4.88 | 4 | |
| 95835 | 10 | 4.75 | 2 | |
| 95834 | 9 | 4.74 | 4 | |
| 95864 | 9 | 4.72 | 5 | |
| 95814 | 19 | 4.65 | 10 | |
| 95833 | 17 | 4.63 | 2 | |
| 95816 | 7 | 4.5 | 2 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in Sacramento (9–239 children)
Small
up to 30 children
112
Medium
31–75 children
133
Large
76–150 children
34
Very Large
150+ children
7
Highest rated daycares in Sacramento based on parent reviews
2224 Beaumont Street, Sacramento, CA
NHDF Child Development Center (Little Summit) in Sacramento receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the staff's expertise with children on the autism spectrum, the director's exceptional care and communication, and the center's clean, nurturing environment. Parents consistently report their children thrive academically and socially, with staff being attentive, kind, and easy to work with.
1820 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento, CA
Cadence Education Inc - Alhambra receives uniformly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring and professional staff, quality curriculum, and strong communication through daily activity updates and photos. Parents report their children are excited to attend, experience good developmental progress, and benefit from a clean, well-organized facility with responsive leadership.
5315 H Street, Sacramento, CA
Creative Spaces Preschool and Learning Center receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the warm, attentive, and well-trained staff. Parents consistently highlight the clean, well-organized facility, nurturing environment, and developmental benefits that prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. The center is noted for excellent hours, limited closures, and a balance of structured learning with child-directed play.
4110 North Freeway Blvd, Sacramento, CA
DAR-UL-MADINAH is an Islamic center and school in Sacramento with a 4.8/5 Google rating. Parents praise it as a welcoming, well-managed facility that serves as both a mosque and educational institution for children and adults. The center offers prayer services, Quranic instruction, Islamic classes in multiple languages, and community programs for all ages.
3700 Knightlinger, Sacramento, CA
Good Neighbors is a highly-rated daycare center in Sacramento with 10 five-star reviews. Parents consistently praise the quality of care, teacher engagement, and strong communication. The center has a 70+ year history in the community and provides scholarships to local high school students.
1630 12th Street, Sacramento, CA
DOT Tot Center receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, experienced staff with exceptional longevity, non-profit model, and inclusive services. Parents consistently highlight the director's responsiveness, strong teacher retention (some staff since the 1980s), and the significant convenience of included diapers, wipes, and meals. Families report their children thrive socially and emotionally in this affordable, well-managed environment.
Sacramento’s childcare landscape offers 248 facilities, ranging from community centers to independent preschools, providing diverse options for families. Parents consistently highlight clean environments and staff who treat children with genuine care and attention, creating a supportive home-like atmosphere. A standout area for high-performing centers is the 95831 zip code, where facilities maintain exceptional standards across the board.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Sacramento have an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 across 111 rated facilities, with 60% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 963 parent reviews. Parents in Sacramento most frequently praise daycares for clean facility, caring and attentive staff, and safe environment.
When choosing a daycare in Sacramento, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 248 results
Parents consistently praise Shiloh Arms Child Development Center for its caring, experienced staff and nurturing environment. Children show developmental progress in areas like socialization, independence, and school readiness. The center is commended for its structured routines, fresh meals, educational activities, and strong parent engagement through events and communication.
This facility appears to be a vocational training center, not a daycare. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive (all 5/5 ratings) and focus on medical and industrial certification programs including phlebotomy, medical assistant, LVN, and forklift certification. Students praise engaging instructors, high job placement rates, and comprehensive career support.
Treehouse Learning Center (also referred to as Happy Time Preschool by reviewers) receives consistently excellent feedback from parents. Parents praise the dedicated, caring staff, strong communication through daily updates and photos, and individualized attention to each child's developmental needs. The facility is noted for cleanliness, engaging activities, and creating a warm, family-like environment where children are excited to attend.
Parents highlight the center's stimulating environment and success in fostering independence and confidence in young children, with multiple families noting positive long-term outcomes. However, one review alleges discrimination against children with special needs, claiming the center denied enrollment based on a child's condition.
One parent highlights the affordable pricing, nutritious meals, and engaging enrichment activities, while another notes that their son enjoyed his time there. In contrast, a single review reports strict adherence to a 9:00 AM arrival deadline, with staff refusing entry to late arrivals and one child expressing unhappiness.
Reviews consistently praise the facility's cleanliness, well-maintained grounds, and amenities. Parents appreciate the playground facilities suitable for children ages 5-11, ample parking, and convenient location. The $5 entry fee is noted as reasonable for birthday events, though early arrival is recommended due to parking lot capacity and head count limits.
EDU-CARE CENTERS receives mostly positive feedback for preparing children for kindergarten with experienced, caring staff and structured curricula. However, one parent reported witnessing concerning physical handling of a child, which raises serious safety concerns that warrant investigation.
One parent describes the staff as reliable and the director as friendly and honest, expressing a desire to keep their child there for elementary school. Another review notes that the Sacramento School District closed the center several years ago, though they previously considered it great.
One parent highlights the loving teachers, flexible schedules, and included meals, noting their daughter has blossomed, while another mentions the program feels crowded with unsatisfactory staff interactions. The few reviews so far reflect a mix of high satisfaction with care quality and concerns about staffing and space.
One parent highlights the school's community feel, small class sizes, and convenient parking, while another negative review alleges misleading practices regarding autism acceptance, non-refundable fees, and operating hours.
One parent with multiple children highlights the staff's dedication to children with special needs and strong academic progress, while another notes the owner's accessibility and relationship-focused approach. Conversely, a nearby resident reports significant safety and hygiene concerns, citing broken glass and trash on the property.
Rainbow Day Care has undergone significant recent improvements under new management (Director Ms. Sharon), with most recent parents praising the caring staff, welcoming environment, and positive changes to curriculum and policies. However, some past reviews cite serious concerns including 7 licensing violations over 4 years, inconsistent care practices, disorganized staff, and financial/integrity issues.
Parents highlight the nurturing environment, engaging activities like gardens and field trips, and dedicated staff, while one reviewer reports poor responsiveness to initial contact inquiries.
Cottage Kids receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with praise for caring staff, developmentally appropriate curriculum, modern facilities, and strong administrative support under new leadership. However, a small number of parents reported serious concerns including inadequate incident reporting, safety management issues, and dismissive administrative behavior.
A few parents highlight long-standing positive experiences at Peter Burnett Preschool, specifically noting respectful teachers and strong leadership. However, the feedback is limited to former students and families from over a decade ago, with no recent testimonials available.
Kelli's Pals Preschool & Day Care in Sacramento receives consistently high praise from parents. Parents highlight the caring, flexible staff, engaging activities, structured curriculum, and family-like atmosphere. Children reportedly enjoy attending and parents feel their concerns are addressed promptly.
One parent highlights the center's welcoming philosophy, proactive potty training, and engaging activities, noting the staff's support for anxious children. Conversely, a separate experience describes an old, dark facility with severe staffing shortages, unresponsive teachers, and a dismissive response to parental concerns about child distress. This second review also notes that the center terminated the contract after the parent raised these welfare issues.
Happy Time Preschool receives mixed reviews with significant polarization. Positive reviews praise the staff's compassion, family-oriented approach, cleanliness, and structured environment, with some families having attended for decades. However, negative reviews raise serious concerns about facility cleanliness, staff conduct, and child treatment.
Kinder World has highly mixed reviews. Most parents praise the educational approach, patient staff, and child development support, with several reporting multi-year positive experiences. However, two recent reviews raise serious concerns about administrative responsiveness and facility cleanliness issues.
Several parents highlight warm, welcoming teachers and effective communication via an app, with some noting the center feels like family. However, one reviewer criticizes the staff as unprofessional and not worth the time.
Great Beginnings receives mixed reviews with most parents praising the caring teachers, clean facility, developmental activities, and positive child experiences. However, some parents report poor communication, high pricing, and management concerns.
One parent describes the teachers as very responsible and expresses strong satisfaction with their choice of program for their daughter. The review highlights a positive experience with the staff's dedication. None mentioned
Safari Kid receives mixed reviews ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Positive reviewers praise the professional staff, learning activities, fresh meals, and reasonable pricing. However, one negative review raises serious concerns about staff conduct, supervision practices, and operational transparency.
Kreative Kids Learning Center receives highly polarized reviews. Six parents praise the caring staff, educational focus, and family-like atmosphere, while four parents report serious concerns including inadequate supervision, safety issues, unprofessional conflict resolution, and retaliation against parents who raised complaints.
Circle of Friends receives mixed reviews. Multiple parents praise the caregivers and describe positive developmental outcomes for their children over extended enrollment periods. However, several parents report management and administrative issues including poor communication, unexpected enrollment disruptions, and cleanliness concerns.
The reviews provided do not contain substantive feedback about the daycare center itself. Most reviewers appear to be commenting on the residential apartment complex rather than the early learning center, discussing the housing community, amenities, and safety features.
Family Matters Child Care Center receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with most parents praising attentive and nurturing staff, effective communication via the Brightwheel app, and developmental progress in their children. One parent reported serious concerns about inadequate bathroom supervision during potty training, lost clothing items, inflexible drop-off policies, and staff inconsistency.
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