How do I choose the right daycare in Santa Maria?

When choosing a daycare in Santa Maria, 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

What types of daycare are available in Santa Maria?

Santa Maria offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 30 facilities Headstart Programs — 1 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.

Child Daycare & Preschools in Santa Maria, California (30 Results)

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in California?

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 Santa Maria for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Santa Maria

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.

Columbia Children'S Center INC.

4.61 score

4.8(16)

840 East Stowell Road, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

Columbia Children's Center receives consistently excellent feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents praise the warm, caring staff, strong developmental outcomes, and safe, engaging learning environment that prepares children well for kindergarten.

Caring and attentive teacherswarm family-like atmospherestrong academic instruction and learning progressionsafe and well-maintained facility

Santa Maria Valley Ymca

4.48 score

4.6(20)

3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 34 children

Santa Maria Valley YMCA receives consistently high praise from members for its welcoming community atmosphere and friendly staff. Parents and members appreciate the diverse facilities, active involvement in the community, and sense of family-friendly environment. The facility offers comprehensive amenities including childcare, pools, fitness areas, and sports courts.

Friendly and welcoming staffstrong sense of communitydiverse facilities and amenitiesclean facility

Small Wonders

4.33 score

4.6(6)

712 East Chapel Street, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children

Small Wonders receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the quality of education, cleanliness, and friendly staff. However, one parent raised concerns about staff-to-child ratios and communication about their child's needs during drop-in care.

Educational curriculum with visible learning progressfriendly and caring staffclean facilitykid-friendly environment

Cac - Buena Vista Center

4.25 score

4.5(5)

400 West Park Avenue, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 47 children

CAC - Buena Vista Center receives consistently high praise for its clean facility, attentive staff, and quality care. Parents highlight the longevity of staff members, improvements in care quality, and the dedication of leadership, particularly the Director of Nursing and Director of Social Services.

Clean facilityattentive and caring staffknowledgeable leadershipstaff longevity and consistency

Cac - Tanglewood Center

4.24 score

4.3(20)

1890 Sandalwood Dr., Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 25 children

The reviews do not appear to be from parents using this as a daycare center. Instead, they describe experiences at a community venue that hosts events, dinners, craft shows, and fundraisers. Reviewers praise the facility, food quality, pricing, and organization of various events held there.

Clean facilityreasonable rental pricesquality food and chefgood event organization

Cac - J. C. Washington Center

4.16 score

4.3(6)

201 W. Chapel St., Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

Parents praise CAC - J. C. Washington Center for helpful and knowledgeable staff, describing it as an excellent and safe place for childcare. Staff members like Maria are noted for going above and beyond to assist families. One negative review appears to be misdirected, complaining about confusion with a different organization.

Helpful and knowledgeable staffsafe environmentexcellent childcareresponsive assistance with family needs

Cac - Little Village Center

4.16 score

4.3(6)

219 W. Chapel, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

CAC - Little Village Center receives mostly positive reviews praising staff helpfulness and the facility as a safe, quality childcare environment. Staff members like Maria are noted for going above and beyond to assist families. One review appears to be misdirected, complaining about confusion with a different organization.

helpful and knowledgeable staffsafe environment for childrenexcellent childcareresponsive to family needs

Cac - Westgate Center

4.12 score

4.2(8)

1240 W. Bethel Ln., #1a, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

CAC - Westgate Center receives mostly positive reviews praising staff friendliness, efficient communication, and well-maintained facilities. However, one reviewer reported poor customer service and an extremely long waitlist of 3 years.

Friendly and efficient staffexcellent communicationwell-maintained groundsquick office response

Cac - Los Adobes Center

3.94 score

3.9(8)

1026 W. Boone, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 17 children

Reviews are mixed with most praising the friendly atmosphere and nice appearance of the facility. However, there is significant concern about overly restrictive management and intrusive neighbors that limit residents' activities and freedoms.

friendly atmospherenice appearancegood neighborhoodwelcoming community

Cac - Meridan Center

3.76 score

3.7(20)

1720 S. Depot, Santa Maria, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

Note: The reviews provided are for Vizcaya Apartments, a residential complex, not for CAC - Meridan Center daycare. The reviews cannot be used to assess the daycare's quality, safety, or services.

Unable to assess - reviews are for wrong facility

Child Daycare & Preschools in Santa Maria, California

There are 30 child daycare & preschools in Santa Maria, California, making up 91% of the 33 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.

When choosing a daycare in Santa Maria, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

Frequently asked questions

There are 30 child daycare & preschools daycares in Santa Maria, California, out of 33 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Santa Maria, 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

Santa Maria offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 30 facilities
Headstart Programs — 1 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 Santa Maria for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Santa Maria 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.

30 Child Daycare & Preschools in Santa Maria, California