Best Child Daycare & Preschools in San Diego, CA
Compare 372 child daycare & preschools in San Diego. Average rating: 4.57/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
San Diego, California at a glance
- Programs
- 372
- Avg rating
- 4.57/5
- Parent reviews
- 1,914
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 121
San Diego has 372 licensed child daycare & preschools with 1,914 parent reviews averaging 4.57/5.121 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 72% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 92107 (avg 5 stars), while 92113 has the largest selection (21 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in San Diego
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.
- 1Montessori Child Development LLC4.8 score5(20)
4754 Sea Tern Court, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 14 children
Montessori Child Development LLC receives consistently excellent reviews from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and effective Montessori curriculum. Parents report significant improvements in their children's confidence, independence, academic skills, and social development. The school is highlighted for its welcoming environment, strong communication with families, and dedicated leadership.
Caring and attentive staffeffective Montessori curriculumhe - 2Little Angels Academy4.8 score5(20)
3078 L Street, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children
Little Angels Academy receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all parents. Parents consistently praise the caring and attentive staff, smooth transitions for children of all ages, educational activities, and communication through their parent app. Children show strong development and look forward to attending.
Loving and nurturing staffbilingual teachers availablesmooth transitions for infants and toddlerseducational activities (art - 3Sacred Heart Academy Preschool4.8 score5(20)
4895 Saratoga Avenue, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 137 children
Sacred Heart Academy Preschool in San Diego receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, dedicated staff and comprehensive curriculum that balances play-based learning with kindergarten readiness skills. Parents consistently highlight the school's effectiveness with potty training, social-emotional development, and strong teacher-parent communication through the Brightwheel app.
Caring and dedicated teachersstrong kindergarten preparationplay-based learning approachpotty training success - 4Manna'S Martial Arts INC.4.8 score5(20)
12285 B World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children
Manna's Martial Arts is a highly-rated martial arts studio in San Diego with consistent 5/5 star reviews. Parents praise the quality instruction, strong emphasis on discipline and life skills, and community atmosphere that extends beyond martial arts training. Multiple families report long-term enrollment (8-13 years) and significant positive impacts on their children's confidence, self-defense abilities, and character development.
Excellent instruction qualityemphasis on safety and respectpersonal attention to studentsflexible class scheduling with unlimited monthly classes - 5Fleur De Lis Nursery School4.78 score5(18)
3743 Front Street, San Diego, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 95 children
Parents consistently praise Fleur de Lis as an exceptional preschool that fosters individual growth, confidence, and a love of learning through a dedicated, play-based curriculum. Staff members are described as caring, professional, and genuinely invested in each child's cognitive, emotional, and physical development. The beautiful natural setting, diverse and welcoming community, and strong preparation for kindergarten are frequently highlighted.
Individualized attention to each childwarm and caring staffdedicated curriculumbeautiful canyon setting with playgrounds - 6Manchester Family Child Development Center4.76 score5(16)
1752 Via Las Cumbres, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
Manchester Family Child Development Center receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise its caring, professional staff, safe and welcoming environment, and focus on child development and learning through play. Parents highlight excellent communication through daily apps and photos, strong parent community engagement, and successful preparation for kindergarten and school transitions. The center has a long-standing positive reputation in the San Diego community.
- 7Scripps Exploring Academy-Infant4.74 score5(14)
9855 Erma Road Ste. 128, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children
Parents consistently praise Scripps Exploring Academy for exceptional childcare with attentive, caring staff who genuinely bond with children. Families report their children are happy, well-prepared for kindergarten, and experience smooth transitions. The facility is described as clean, welcoming, and homey with strong parent communication.
Caring and attentive teachershappy childrensmooth transition to kindergartenacademic preparation (reading and writing) - 8Chinese Bilingual Pre-School4.72 score5(13)
5075 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 90 children
Chinese Bilingual Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its bilingual Mandarin-English curriculum, caring and patient teachers, and strong sense of community. Parents highlight the school's commitment to child development, flexible scheduling, and on-site prepared meals. Children show advanced academic preparation and develop lasting friendships.
Bilingual Mandarin-English immersioncaring and patient teacherson-site fresh meals (breakfastlunch - 9Wee Wisdom Preschool4.72 score5(13)
8999 Activity Road, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 50 children
Wee Wisdom Preschool receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, knowledgeable staff, clean facility, and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, innovative teaching methods including yoga and meditation, and children's enthusiasm for attending school.
Caring and knowledgeable staffclean and well-organized facilityindividualized attention to each childdevelopmentally appropriate activities - 10Al-Rribat Academy4.72 score4.9(20)
7183-A Saranac Street, San Diego, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 23 children
AL-RRIBAT Academy appears to be an Islamic center (masjid) rather than a daycare facility. Reviews praise it as a welcoming community space with clean facilities, active programming including classes and events, and knowledgeable religious leadership. Parents describe feeling a strong sense of belonging and community support.
Clean facilitieswelcoming and friendly communityactive programming (classeslectures
Rating Distribution
Based on 168 daycares with Google ratings in San Diego
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 1,914 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in San Diego, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
San Diego zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92107 | 16 | 5 | 6 | |
| 92104 | 12 | 4.85 | 6 | |
| 92103 | 18 | 4.85 | 10 | |
| 92102 | 17 | 4.85 | 5 | |
| 92110 | 14 | 4.83 | 5 | |
| 92121 | 9 | 4.8 | 2 | |
| 92119 | 11 | 4.8 | 2 | |
| 92127 | 19 | 4.77 | 5 | |
| 92129 | 19 | 4.76 | 5 | |
| 92113 | 21 | 4.74 | 6 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in San Diego (12–251 children)
Small
up to 30 children
125
Medium
31–75 children
184
Large
76–150 children
105
Very Large
150+ children
11
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in San Diego based on parent reviews
Montessori Child Development LLC
4754 Sea Tern Court, San Diego, CA
Montessori Child Development LLC receives consistently excellent reviews from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and effective Montessori curriculum. Parents report significant improvements in their children's confidence, independence, academic skills, and social development. The school is highlighted for its welcoming environment, strong communication with families, and dedicated leadership.
Little Angels Academy
3078 L Street, San Diego, CA
Little Angels Academy receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all parents. Parents consistently praise the caring and attentive staff, smooth transitions for children of all ages, educational activities, and communication through their parent app. Children show strong development and look forward to attending.
Sacred Heart Academy Preschool
4895 Saratoga Avenue, San Diego, CA
Sacred Heart Academy Preschool in San Diego receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, dedicated staff and comprehensive curriculum that balances play-based learning with kindergarten readiness skills. Parents consistently highlight the school's effectiveness with potty training, social-emotional development, and strong teacher-parent communication through the Brightwheel app.
Manna'S Martial Arts INC.
12285 B World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA
Manna's Martial Arts is a highly-rated martial arts studio in San Diego with consistent 5/5 star reviews. Parents praise the quality instruction, strong emphasis on discipline and life skills, and community atmosphere that extends beyond martial arts training. Multiple families report long-term enrollment (8-13 years) and significant positive impacts on their children's confidence, self-defense abilities, and character development.
Manchester Family Child Development Center
1752 Via Las Cumbres, San Diego, CA
Manchester Family Child Development Center receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise its caring, professional staff, safe and welcoming environment, and focus on child development and learning through play. Parents highlight excellent communication through daily apps and photos, strong parent community engagement, and successful preparation for kindergarten and school transitions. The center has a long-standing positive reputation in the San Diego community.
Scripps Exploring Academy-Infant
9855 Erma Road Ste. 128, San Diego, CA
Parents consistently praise Scripps Exploring Academy for exceptional childcare with attentive, caring staff who genuinely bond with children. Families report their children are happy, well-prepared for kindergarten, and experience smooth transitions. The facility is described as clean, welcoming, and homey with strong parent communication.
Map
Daycare types in San Diego
Browse by type in San Diego
Child Daycare & Preschools in San Diego, California
San Diego offers a robust landscape of 372 childcare and preschool options, catering to diverse family needs across the region. Parents frequently highlight the importance of clean facilities and attentive staff when evaluating these centers. For those seeking top-tier performance, the 92114 zip code stands out with an impressive average rating of 5/5 stars.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in San Diego have an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 across 168 rated facilities, with 72% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.7 stars. Our analysis covers 1,914 parent reviews. Parents in San Diego most frequently praise daycares for clean facility, clean facilities, and caring and attentive teachers.
When choosing a daycare in San Diego, 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 San Diego
Showing 372 results
- Address
- 2850 Wasp Way, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 221-2936
One parent describes the COL. SALOMON CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER as an awesome school they loved. This single positive experience highlights a strong satisfaction with the center-based program. Negative feedback is not present in the current review data.
- Address
- 1789 State Street, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 344-6325
- Address
- 808 West Cedar, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 239-1985
- Address
- 1601 B Street, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 388-3205
- Address
- 4998 Via Valarta, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 576-2327
- Address
- 1601 B Street, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 388-3205
Montessori School of Kearny Mesa receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the caring staff, strong Montessori curriculum, and child development outcomes. However, two concerning reviews allege serious safety and supervision issues, including physical abuse and inadequate monitoring of children.
- Address
- 3411 Sandrock Road, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 505-0332
Playhouse Preschool receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the staff's warmth and care, noting significant developmental progress in their children. However, one parent reported a negative experience, citing dishonesty, unreliability, and unprofessionalism, though this appears to be an isolated complaint against a specific location.
- Address
- 6545 Balboa Avenue Ste. B, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 279-2009
THE KID'S BAY receives mixed reviews with an average rating of 3.9/5. Most parents praise the caring teachers, quality curriculum, and positive child development experiences, though some parents raised concerns about teacher responsiveness to behavioral issues and staff consistency.
- Address
- 13770 Carmel Valley Road, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 240-6710
Dot to Dot is a highly-rated center-based daycare in San Diego with exceptional focus on social-emotional development, curiosity, and individual child growth. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, hands-on learning, and outstanding food program. All recent reviews are 5-star ratings reflecting strong parent satisfaction.
- Address
- 12160 Alta Carmel Court, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 485-1978
Most parents praise Montessori School of Kearny Mesa for its caring, experienced staff, strong Montessori philosophy implementation, and child development outcomes. However, two parents reported serious safety and supervision concerns, including alleged physical abuse and inadequate attention to children's needs.
- Address
- 3411 Sandrock Road, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 505-0332
The Kid's Bay Infant center in San Diego receives mixed reviews. Three parents praised the caring teachers, individual attention, cleanliness, and positive child development experiences. Two parents reported concerns about teacher responsiveness to safety issues and staff turnover affecting their children's experience.
- Address
- 13770 Carmel Valley Road, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 240-6710
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising the facility's cleanliness, friendly staff, and quality amenities. Parents appreciate the well-maintained gym equipment, pools, and family-friendly atmosphere. The location is noted as one of the best among YMCA branches.
- Address
- 4300 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 280-9622
Crown Point Junior Music Academy is a highly-rated magnet school serving Pre-K through 5th grade with an exceptional music program. Parents consistently praise the dedicated teachers, caring administration, strong Suzuki violin curriculum, and welcoming community atmosphere. The school recently completed construction renovations and offers multiple after-school enrichment programs.
- Address
- 4033 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 987-5500
A single five-star review describes the facility as a helpful, visionary student organization and a superb center, while another one-star review alleges severe safety issues, including sexual harassment and unauthorized filming in recreational areas.
- Address
- 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 594-7428
One parent describes Mission Nazarene Preschool as a welcoming environment where their 18-month-old enjoys attending and responds positively to the staff. The reviewer highlights the teachers' kindness and their child's enthusiasm for arriving at the center. No specific drawbacks were mentioned in this feedback.
- Address
- 4750 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 287-4900
- Address
- 4750 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 287-4900
- Address
- 11230 Avenida Del Gato, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 265-7798
One parent describes the facility as a great day care where staff treat children like family, while another criticizes the rude staff, cheap toys, and inadequate pickup procedures. Additional concerns from the second review include poor pickup line management and limited backpack storage space.
- Address
- 5420 Montezuma Road, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 534-2845
One parent highlights the facility's family-like treatment of children, while another notes the appealing design but criticizes the staff's rudeness and operational shortcomings. Specific concerns include the quality of toys, the efficiency of the pickup line, and insufficient storage space for backpacks.
- Address
- 9750 Galvin Ave., San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 265-9552
One parent praises the facility for treating children like family, while another criticizes the rude staff and poor organization. The latter review also notes the use of cheap toys and inadequate space for backpacks.
- Address
- 10050 Avenida Magnifica, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 265-9971
Rising Star Preschool San Diego receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the attentive, knowledgeable staff and director Ms. Rachelle for accommodating individual child needs, supporting developmental milestones, and being military-family friendly. However, two negative reviews reference concerns about a specific staff member's behavior and broader management issues at other Rising Star locations.
- Address
- 3040 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 213-9356
Feedback for CARMEL VALLEY PRESCHOOL is mixed, with one parent highlighting excellent teachers and a subtle religious environment, while another criticizes the lack of learning activities and poor communication. The latter reviewer also disputes the school's adherence to Christian values and reports unresponsive office staff.
- Address
- 13340 Hayford Way, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 481-7933
One parent highlights the staff's dedication and the helpful support provided to families, specifically praising Principal Lisa. This single review expresses strong satisfaction with the center's approach to childcare.
- Address
- 4141 Menlo Avenue, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 344-5631
One parent describes EES-Child Development Center as the best daycare they could find, praising the teachers for being lovely and nice. The reviewer expresses high trust in the staff, stating they would not trust anyone else with their son and gives the center a perfect score.
- Address
- 6960 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 278-2457
- Address
- 17117 4s Ranch Parkway, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (858) 487-2628
- Address
- 530 South 47th Street, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 262-6069
Little Sprouts Academy receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviewers giving 5-star ratings. Parents praise the caring and dedicated teachers, engaging curriculum, and safe, clean facility. Children reportedly enjoy attending and parents feel confident their kids are well-cared for and prepared for kindergarten.
- Address
- 6690 Mission Gorge Rd., #R/S/T/Q, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 280-6690
- Address
- 2875 Ocean View Boulevard, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 344-6500
- Address
- 3550 Altadena Avenue, San Diego, CA
- Phone
- (619) 344-5100
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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 — 372 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 29 facilities
- Church Daycare — 7 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 17 facilities