Children at daycare

4 Before or After School Daycare in Costa Mesa, California

Browse all 4 before or after school daycare in Costa Mesa, California. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Costa Mesa

Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews โ€” daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.

  1. 1

    760 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 122 children

    Christ Lutheran Preschool in Costa Mesa receives consistently positive feedback from families and visitors. Parents praise the welcoming community atmosphere, caring staff, and positive educational environment where children thrive. The facility is noted for its secure campus and strong sense of community connection.

    welcoming congregationcaring and amazing teacherschildren thriving and loving schoolsecure campus
  2. 2

    1701 West Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 60 children

    Montessori Harbor Mesa receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, patient teachers and the school's leadership under Mrs. De Frenza. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with strong developmental progress and a structured yet playful learning environment. The school has built loyalty across generations, with former students now enrolling their own children.

    caring and patient teachersstrong academic advancementsocial developmentstructured and playful environment
  3. 3

    220 23rd Street, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 256 children

    Lindbergh Child Development Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring teaching staff and quality meal offerings. Parents report their children are thriving and express satisfaction with the affordable tuition rates. The center appears to be highly regarded by families.

    Loving and sweet teachersexcellent meals providedaffordable tuitionchildren thriving
  4. 4

    758 St. Clair Street, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 42 children

    Giant Step Learning Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, nurturing environment and attentive staff. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, regular communication, educational activities, and affordable pricing compared to other Costa Mesa facilities. The center is described as creating a welcoming community atmosphere with good outdoor space and multi-age interactions.

    warm and welcoming environmentattentive and caring staffstrong teacher-child bondsregular parent communication
  5. 5

    2245 Orange Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 39 children

    Coastal Children's Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents who appreciate the warm, nurturing environment and strong community feel. Parents highlight the caring staff, engaging curriculum that balances play and learning, and the director Katrina's involvement and accessibility. Children are reported to thrive socially and developmentally while enjoying daily activities and forming strong friendships.

    Kind and welcoming teacherssmall tight-knit communityclean classroomsarts and crafts activities
  6. 6
    Nobis Preschool
    4.37 score
    4.5(14)

    190 East 15th Street, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 60 children

    Parents consistently praise NOBIS PRESCHOOL for its caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Director Melinda and teachers are highlighted as genuinely invested in children's development, providing detailed daily updates and enriching activities. Multiple families report multi-year enrollments and smooth transitions between classroom levels.

    Caring and attentive teachersstrong director leadershipdetailed daily communicationenriching activities and summer programs
  7. 7
    Harbor Trinity Preschool
    4.18 score
    4.3(8)

    1230 Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA ยท Child Daycare & Preschools ยท Capacity: 90 children

    Harbor Trinity Preschool is a faith-based preschool in Costa Mesa with overwhelmingly positive reviews highlighting caring, loving staff and strong academics. Parents report their children are advanced learners who enjoy attending. One negative review cited poor communication regarding overdue tuition and inflexible policies regarding late pickup.

    loving and caring teachersstrong academicsfaith-based environmentwelcoming staff

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Before or After School Daycare in Costa Mesa, California

There are 4 before or after school daycare in Costa Mesa, California, making up 12% of the 34 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 Costa Mesa, 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 Costa Mesa

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Frequently asked questions

There are 4 before or after school daycares in Costa Mesa, California, out of 34 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 Costa Mesa, 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
Costa Mesa offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools โ€” 30 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare โ€” 4 facilities
Each type serves different needs โ€” 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 Costa Mesa for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Costa Mesa 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.