Best Infant & Toddler Daycares in Santa Cruz, CA
Find the best infant & toddler daycares in Santa Cruz, California. Browse 3 options, compare ratings, and choose the right program for your child.
Best Infant & Toddler Daycares in Santa Cruz
Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — infant & toddler daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.
- 1Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center4.67 score5(10)
1738 16th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA · Capacity: 20 children
Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center receives perfect 5-star ratings across all reviews, with parents praising the staff's warmth, responsiveness, and child-centered approach. Parents consistently highlight the outdoor-focused curriculum, RIE/Montessori philosophy emphasizing toddler agency and respect, and the center's positive impact on both children's development and parental growth.
Exceptional and dedicated staffoutdoor-focused learning environmenttoddler agency and respect emphasizedexperiential play and activities (cooking - 2Life Spring Community Preschool And Infant Care4.38 score5(3)
2560 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA · Capacity: 60 children
Parents highlight the staff's caring and professional nature, noting that children thrive academically and socially in a clean, safe environment. Reviewers appreciate the excellent daily communication with directors and teachers, which helps parents feel connected to their child's day.
caring and professional staffwell-rounded curriculumclean and safe facilitiesexcellent daily communication
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Infant & Toddler Daycares in Santa Cruz, California
Finding quality infant and toddler care in Santa Cruz is critical for working families. These 3 facilities specifically cater to children under age 3, with appropriate staff-to-child ratios and age-appropriate activities.
When choosing a infant & toddler daycare in Santa Cruz, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Infant & Toddler Daycares in Santa Cruz
Showing 3 results
Parents highlight the staff's caring and professional nature, noting that children thrive academically and socially in a clean, safe environment. Reviewers appreciate the excellent daily communication with directors and teachers, which helps parents feel connected to their child's day.
- Address
- 2560 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
- Phone
- (831) 477-0584
Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center receives perfect 5-star ratings across all reviews, with parents praising the staff's warmth, responsiveness, and child-centered approach. Parents consistently highlight the outdoor-focused curriculum, RIE/Montessori philosophy emphasizing toddler agency and respect, and the center's positive impact on both children's development and parental growth.
- Address
- 1738 16th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
- Phone
- (831) 476-4120
- Address
- 120 Weeks Street, Santa Cruz, CA
- Phone
- (831) 429-3050
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Frequently asked questions
- Low caregiver-to-infant ratios (ideally 1:3 or 1:4)
- Experienced staff trained in infant CPR and first aid
- Safe sleep practices following AAP guidelines
- Clean, age-appropriate environment with proper sanitization
- Consistent daily routines for feeding, napping, and play
- Open communication with parents throughout the day
- Visit the facility in person to observe the environment
- Ask about teacher qualifications and experience
- Check licensing status with California's regulatory agency
- Review the curriculum and daily schedule
- Read parent reviews for firsthand experiences
- Compare staff-to-child ratios across facilities