Children at daycare

Best Before or After School Daycare in Arcata, CA

Compare 1 before or after school daycare in Arcata. Average rating: 5/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Arcata, California at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
5/5
Parent reviews
19
Top rated (4.5+)
6

Arcata offers 1 licensed before or after school daycare, 6 of which have public ratings averaging 5/5.6 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 100% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 95521 zip code, averaging 5 stars across 14 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Arcata

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.

  1. 1
    Stepping Stones Extended Day Care Program
    4.58 score
    5(7)

    1897 S Street, Arcata, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

    Stepping Stones is highly regarded by parents for its engaged, experienced providers (Anna and Dave) and thoughtful programming. Parents consistently praise the outdoor space with natural elements, educational activities, homemade meals with accommodations for allergies, and strong communication from staff. Multiple families have used the center for extended periods and recommend it to others.

    experienced and caring providersoutdoor space with engaging activitieshomemade meals with dairy-free and peanut-free optionsclear communication about daily activities and child needs
  2. 2
    Stepping Stones Children'S Garden
    4.58 score
    5(7)

    1920 Zehndner Ave., Arcata, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children

    Stepping Stones Children's Garden receives universal 5-star praise from parents who highlight the caring providers Anna and Dave, engaging outdoor spaces with animals, and educational programming. Parents consistently mention feeling secure leaving their children in this center's care and appreciate the clear communication, homemade meals, and community-building activities.

    Caring and attentive providersengaging outdoor space with chickenshomemade mealsaccommodates dietary restrictions

Rating Distribution

Based on 6 daycares with Google ratings in Arcata

4.5 - 5.0
6
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
0
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Arcata, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

5avg rating
12 daycares · 6 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Arcata zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9552114
5
6

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Arcata (20–58 children)

Small

up to 30 children

10

Medium

31–75 children

4

Large

76–150 children

0

Very Large

150+ children

0

Map

Daycare types in Arcata

Child Daycare & Preschools 12Headstart Programs 1Before or After School Daycare 1

Browse by type in Arcata

🎨 Preschools 4

Before or After School Daycare in Arcata, California

There are 1 before or after school daycare in Arcata, California, making up 7% of the 14 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.

Based on Google reviews, daycares in Arcata have an average rating of 5 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities, with 100% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 19 parent reviews.

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

All Before or After School Daycare in Arcata

Showing 1 results

Strongbridge Montessori School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
4700 Valley East Blvd., Arcata, CA
Phone
(707) 845-5173

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 before or after school daycares in Arcata, California, out of 14 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Arcata have an average Google rating of 5 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities. About 100% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Arcata, 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
Arcata offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 12 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 1 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 Arcata for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Arcata 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.