Best Child Daycare & Preschools in San Francisco, CA
Compare 294 child daycare & preschools in San Francisco. Average rating: 4.57/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
San Francisco, California at a glance
- Programs
- 294
- Avg rating
- 4.57/5
- Parent reviews
- 1,030
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 134
San Francisco has 294 licensed child daycare & preschools with 1,030 parent reviews averaging 4.57/5.134 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 74% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 94105 (avg 5 stars), while 94115 has the largest selection (27 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in San Francisco
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.
- 1Moldovan Academy INC.4.78 score5(18)
1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children
Moldovan Academy receives consistent 5-star reviews from parents who praise the school's warm, caring environment and strong focus on social-emotional development. Parents report significant developmental gains in their children's speech, emotional regulation, and social skills, along with enthusiasm for attending school daily. The facility is noted for its small class sizes, engaging curriculum, and dedicated leadership under owner Kathleen.
Warm and caring teachersstrong social-emotional development focussmall class sizesengaging hands-on curriculum (science - 2Laurel Hill Nursery School4.77 score5(17)
401 Euclid Avenue, San Francisco, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 59 children
Laurel Hill Nursery School is a play-based cooperative preschool in San Francisco with consistently excellent ratings. Parents praise the caring teachers, nurturing community atmosphere, exceptional outdoor space, and the co-op model that encourages parental involvement and education. Families report significant positive impacts on their children's development and their own parenting skills.
Experienced and caring teachersplay-based learning approachlarge and well-equipped outdoor spacecooperative model with parent involvement - 3Little Star Preschool Too4.77 score5(17)
1105 Quintara Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 104 children
Little Star Preschool Too receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the warm, welcoming environment and dedicated teachers. Parents consistently report significant child development across academic, social, and emotional areas, with children eager to attend daily. The school is commended for quality facilities, engaging activities, community involvement, and strong parent communication.
Caring and dedicated teachersindividual attention to each child's needsstrong child development (academic/social/emotional)warm and welcoming community atmosphere - 4Montessori Children'S House Of The West Coast4.77 score5(17)
25 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
Parents consistently praise MCH as an exceptional Montessori school with highly experienced, long-tenured teachers (many with 25+ years), a calm and nurturing environment, and strong community. Children are reported to thrive developmentally with increased independence, confidence, and love of learning. The school is described as well-run, welcoming to working families, and fostering genuine friendships among parents.
Experienced teaching staff with long tenureauth - 5Montessori School Of The Bay Area INC.4.76 score5(16)
1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 48 children
Parents universally praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and experienced leadership under Ms. Vasi. Children consistently show enthusiasm about attending, and parents report strong developmental progress across academics and life skills. The school fosters a warm, welcoming environment where children feel accepted and families feel supported.
Caring and loving teachersexperienced leadership (Ms. Vasi)clean and well-maintained facilitiesstrong communication with parents - 6Montessori School Of The Bay Area INC. - Infant4.76 score5(16)
1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 18 children
Parents consistently praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and nurturing environment. Director Ms. Vasi and her experienced teaching staff are highlighted as deeply invested in children's development and highly communicative with families. Children show genuine enthusiasm for attending school and demonstrate strong developmental progress across academic and social-emotional skills.
Experiencedcaringand loving staff; Director Ms. Vasi's involved leadership and mentorship; Cleanwell-maintained facilities; Extended hours (7:30am-6pm); Montessori curriculum emphasizing exploration and learning; Strong communication with parents about daily activities and developmental milestones; Continuity from infant through pre-K; Bilingual exposure; Staff longevity (15-20+ years); Family partnership approach to challenges like potty training - 7Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery4.67 score5(10)
1401 Broadway, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children
Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery (TelHi) receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise it as a nurturing, community-focused cooperative preschool. Parents highlight the play-based learning model, exceptional teachers, strong sense of belonging, and diverse, inclusive environment. The parent participation component is valued for building lasting friendships and providing insight into their child's development.
Cooperative model with parent invol - 8St. Anne Preschool4.67 score5(10)
1362a 14th Avenue, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 25 children
St. Anne Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its experienced, caring staff and strong educational program. Parents highlight the school's balanced approach combining academics with developmental and social-emotional learning, along with excellent communication from director Judy. The facility fosters a strong sense of community among families.
Experienced and dedicated teaching staff with high retention rateswarm and welcoming environmentstrong curriculum balancing academics and life skillslow student-teacher ratio - 9Little Bee4.67 score5(10)
2733 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 32 children
Parents consistently praise Little Bee as an excellent preschool with caring, attentive staff and strong communication. The bilingual immersion program (Mandarin and English), outdoor exploration in the Presidio, organized curriculum, and active community are frequently highlighted as major strengths. All reviewers report positive experiences with their children's development and adjustment.
Warm and attentive staffbilingual immersion (Mandarin)outdoor exploration in Presidiodaily photo/video updates - 10Little People Preschool4.67 score5(10)
3595 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Little People Preschool receives consistently positive reviews from parents whose children attended. Parents praise the nurturing staff, educational curriculum combined with engaging activities, and the director Galina's leadership. Children are reported to thrive academically and socially while enjoying the program daily.
Caring and patient teachersclean and organized facilitybalanced mix of academics and hands-on activitiesquality meals provided
Rating Distribution
Based on 182 daycares with Google ratings in San Francisco
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 1,030 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in San Francisco, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
San Francisco zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94105 | 12 | 5 | 3 | |
| 94109 | 7 | 4.9 | 4 | |
| 94118 | 23 | 4.77 | 12 | |
| 94132 | 18 | 4.76 | 9 | |
| 94117 | 13 | 4.76 | 6 | |
| 94115 | 27 | 4.76 | 14 | |
| 94121 | 17 | 4.75 | 7 | |
| 94114 | 8 | 4.73 | 5 | |
| 94129 | 7 | 4.72 | 4 | |
| 94123 | 5 | 4.67 | 2 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in San Francisco (12–400 children)
Small
up to 30 children
121
Medium
31–75 children
164
Large
76–150 children
56
Very Large
150+ children
17
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in San Francisco based on parent reviews
Moldovan Academy INC.
1270 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA
Moldovan Academy receives consistent 5-star reviews from parents who praise the school's warm, caring environment and strong focus on social-emotional development. Parents report significant developmental gains in their children's speech, emotional regulation, and social skills, along with enthusiasm for attending school daily. The facility is noted for its small class sizes, engaging curriculum, and dedicated leadership under owner Kathleen.
Little Star Preschool Too
1105 Quintara Street, San Francisco, CA
Little Star Preschool Too receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the warm, welcoming environment and dedicated teachers. Parents consistently report significant child development across academic, social, and emotional areas, with children eager to attend daily. The school is commended for quality facilities, engaging activities, community involvement, and strong parent communication.
Montessori Children'S House Of The West Coast
25 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA
Parents consistently praise MCH as an exceptional Montessori school with highly experienced, long-tenured teachers (many with 25+ years), a calm and nurturing environment, and strong community. Children are reported to thrive developmentally with increased independence, confidence, and love of learning. The school is described as well-run, welcoming to working families, and fostering genuine friendships among parents.
Montessori School Of The Bay Area INC.
1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA
Parents universally praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and experienced leadership under Ms. Vasi. Children consistently show enthusiasm about attending, and parents report strong developmental progress across academics and life skills. The school fosters a warm, welcoming environment where children feel accepted and families feel supported.
Montessori School Of The Bay Area INC. - Infant
1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA
Parents consistently praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and nurturing environment. Director Ms. Vasi and her experienced teaching staff are highlighted as deeply invested in children's development and highly communicative with families. Children show genuine enthusiasm for attending school and demonstrate strong developmental progress across academic and social-emotional skills.
Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery
1401 Broadway, San Francisco, CA
Telegraph Hill Parent Participation Nursery (TelHi) receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise it as a nurturing, community-focused cooperative preschool. Parents highlight the play-based learning model, exceptional teachers, strong sense of belonging, and diverse, inclusive environment. The parent participation component is valued for building lasting friendships and providing insight into their child's development.
Map
Daycare types in San Francisco
Browse by type in San Francisco
Child Daycare & Preschools in San Francisco, California
San Francisco offers a diverse landscape of 294 childcare and preschool options, ranging from large centers to intimate home-based programs. Parents consistently highlight the warmth of the staff and the nurturing environments as key factors in their decision-making process. The directory highlights standout areas like the 94105 zip code, which maintains an impressive 5-star average across its facilities.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in San Francisco have an average rating of 4.57 out of 5 across 182 rated facilities, with 74% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.76 stars. Our analysis covers 1,030 parent reviews. Parents in San Francisco most frequently praise daycares for friendly staff, nurturing environment, and caring and loving staff.
When choosing a daycare in San Francisco, 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 Francisco
Showing 294 results
Parents consistently praise Montessori School of the Bay Area for its loving, attentive care and nurturing environment. Director Ms. Vasi and her experienced teaching staff are highlighted as deeply invested in children's development and highly communicative with families. Children show genuine enthusiasm for attending school and demonstrate strong developmental progress across academic and social-emotional skills.
- Address
- 1550 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 292-7970
- Address
- 750 - 26th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 221-8005
Parents consistently praise Marin Day Schools Hills Plaza Campus for exceptional infant and toddler care with warm, attentive staff and engaging developmental activities. The center is noted for excellent communication with families through daily photos/videos and real-time updates, strong health and safety protocols, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
- Address
- 2 Harrison St., #150, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 777-9696
- Address
- 165 Grattan St., San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 506-8617
- Address
- 2055 Sunnydale Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 469-4519
One parent highlights the center's personalized approach, noting that teachers provided significant support and video updates that helped their child overcome a speech delay and reach age-appropriate milestones. A few other reviewers offer brief positive feedback, describing the staff as amazing and the facility as a good place.
- Address
- 685 Natoma Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 487-0389
- Address
- 5200 Diamond Heights Blvd., San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 550-1536
Tinker Preschool in San Francisco receives consistently high praise from parents. The center is distinguished by its emphasis on outdoor play in nearby parks, caring and dedicated teachers, and thoughtful curriculum design that supports children's social-emotional development and academic growth.
- Address
- 554 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 299-9821
- Address
- 144 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 644-0504
- Address
- 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 296-8549
- Address
- 710 - 40th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 387-5511
- Address
- 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 585-5300
Reviewers highlight Wind in the Willows as a nurturing, play-based preschool with warm staff and strong family engagement. Parents appreciate the balance of social-emotional learning, kindergarten preparation, and daily communication, noting the convenient location and easy parking.
- Address
- 713 Monterey Blvd., San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 333-7165
- Address
- 5200 Diamond Heights Blvd., San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 550-1536
The Scandinavian School in San Francisco offers online and in-person language classes for adults in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish. Reviewers praise the qualified native-speaking instructors, effective teaching methods, affordable pricing, and strong community building through classes and cultural events. All reviews are 4-5 stars with consistently positive feedback about language progress and student engagement.
- Address
- 20 Woodside Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 665-3276
One parent highlights the staff's ability to help children learn to be themselves and have fun, while another notes their child enjoys the program so much they do not want to leave. A third reviewer appreciates the egalitarian treatment of Latino children in the rooftop setting.
- Address
- 443 Burnett Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 643-2272
The reviews provided are not for a daycare center but for Dharma Treasure Temple, a Buddhist meditation and learning facility. There is a significant mismatch between the stated daycare name/purpose and the actual review content.
- Address
- 3201 Ulloa Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 681-6606
Parents consistently praise University Child Care at Mission Bay for its friendly, knowledgeable staff who show genuine care for the children. The facility features new amenities as of June with expanded classes and improved play areas. Parents report their children are enjoying their time there.
- Address
- 727 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (617) 673-8000
Star of the Sea Preschool receives unanimous 5-star reviews from parents who praise the exceptional, caring teachers and well-rounded curriculum combining Montessori, Spanish immersion, and faith-based education. Parents consistently report their children are happy, feel safe, and thrive both academically and emotionally in this nurturing community environment.
- Address
- 360 Ninth Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 221-7449
Families highlight the center's expansive outdoor facilities, flexible hours catering to working parents, and a deeply supportive, community-oriented staff. Parents report high satisfaction with the stimulating environment and safety protocols, noting that children thrive in this inclusive setting.
- Address
- 790 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 820-3500
One parent expresses strong satisfaction with the service, describing it as excellent. The limited feedback highlights a positive experience with the care provided.
- Address
- 801 Treat Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 695-5746
Reviewers highlight the center's loving, gentle, and low-key atmosphere, noting that staff actively involve parents in a community-focused environment. While the small class sizes and physical space are mentioned, parents report that the center manages these groups effectively and successfully supports children, including those learning English.
- Address
- 50 Belcher Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 861-1818
- Address
- N. State Dr.&Lake Merced Blvd., San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 405-4011
Parents highlight the kindness and professionalism of specific staff members, with one family noting their child's enjoyment in the Transitional Kindergarten program. Another reviewer offers brief positive feedback, describing the experience as 'God'.
- Address
- 2950 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 695-5842
- Address
- N. State Dr.&Lake Merced Blvd., San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 405-4011
- Address
- 1650 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 338-2403
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with a 4.7/5 rating. Parents praise the facility's beautiful green space, imaginative environment, and world-class campus design. The location in San Francisco's Presidio is highlighted as a major attraction.
- Address
- 1 Letterman Dr., Bldg. B, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 746-5444
- Address
- 521 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 668-5877
- Address
- 200 Cashmere Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 401-1377
Mission Childcare Consortium receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring and professional staff, strong curriculum, and supportive approach to families. However, one reviewer reported witnessing staff speaking disrespectfully to toddlers. The facility appears to offer enriching programs and activities that help children thrive academically and emotionally.
- Address
- 4750 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
- Phone
- (415) 586-6139
Page 3 of 10· 294 results
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 — 294 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 16 facilities
- Church Daycare — 9 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 39 facilities