Children at daycare

Best Before or After School Daycare in Encinitas, CA

Compare 3 before or after school daycare in Encinitas. Average rating: 4.43/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Encinitas, California at a glance

Programs
3
Avg rating
4.43/5
Parent reviews
99
Top rated (4.5+)
7

Encinitas has 3 licensed before or after school daycare with 99 parent reviews averaging 4.43/5.7 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 58% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 92024 zip code, averaging 4.43 stars across 25 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Encinitas

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
    Encinitas Shining Stars
    4.06 score
    4.1(8)

    511 Encinitas Blvd. Ste. 114, Encinitas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 55 children

    Encinitas Shining Stars receives predominantly positive reviews praising caring staff, developmental programs, and communication with parents. However, two recent negative reviews cite issues with new ownership, staff turnover, micromanagement, and deposit refund policies.

    Caring and nurturing teachersstrong child development outcomesregular photo and activity updatesfield trips and engaging activities
  2. 2
    Magdalena Ecke Family Ymca
    3.84 score
    3.8(20)

    1690 Wandering Road, Encinitas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children

    Note: The reviews provided are for the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA gym and recreation facility, not a daycare center. Parents praise the clean facilities, excellent pool, affordable pricing, and family-friendly atmosphere. Some concerns include dated interior design, declining maintenance standards, and recent fee increases.

    Clean facilitiesexcellent pool with lap lanesaffordable pricing compared to competitorsfriendly and helpful staff
  3. 3
    Magdalena Ecke Ymca
    3.84 score
    3.8(20)

    200 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 128 children

    This facility is primarily reviewed as a YMCA fitness center, not as a daycare. While most reviewers praise the gym amenities, pool, and staff friendliness, some note concerns about pricing increases, dated facility design, and declining maintenance over time.

    Clean facilitiesexcellent pool and aquatic amenitiesfriendly and helpful staffaffordable compared to other gyms
  4. 4
    Magdalena Ecke Family Ymca-School Age (Farm Lab)
    3.84 score
    3.8(20)

    441 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 101 children

    These reviews are for the YMCA facility's gym and recreational amenities, not the school-age daycare program. The few mentions of youth programs (preschool, camps, after-school care) are positive, but there are insufficient reviews specifically about the daycare operations to provide an accurate assessment.

    Clean facilitiesfriendly staffexcellent poolaffordable membership rates

Rating Distribution

Based on 12 daycares with Google ratings in Encinitas

4.5 - 5.0
7
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
3
Below 3
1

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 99 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Clean facilities
3

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.55avg rating
21 daycares · 10 rated

Before or After School Daycare

3.85avg rating
3 daycares · 2 rated

Church Daycare

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Encinitas zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9202425
4.43
7

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Encinitas (26–154 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

16

Large

76–150 children

6

Very Large

150+ children

1

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Encinitas based on parent reviews

Leport School

5(2)

520 Balour Drive, Encinitas, CA

Encinitas Country Day School

2.7(1)

2155 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA

One parent reports a negative experience characterized by rude and bossy staff, along with noisy and uncontrollable students. The feedback highlights issues with bullying and poor behavior from both teachers and peers.

Map

Daycare types in Encinitas

Child Daycare & Preschools 21Church Daycare 1Before or After School Daycare 3

Browse by type in Encinitas

🎨 Preschools 7🌱 Montessori 3

Before or After School Daycare in Encinitas, California

There are 3 before or after school daycare in Encinitas, California, making up 12% of the 25 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 Encinitas have an average rating of 4.43 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities, with 58% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.55 stars. Our analysis covers 99 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Encinitas, 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 Encinitas

Showing 3 results

Leport School
Before or After School Daycare
5
Address
520 Balour Drive, Encinitas, CA
Phone
(760) 545-4430
Encinitas Country Day School
Before or After School Daycare
2.7

One parent reports a negative experience characterized by rude and bossy staff, along with noisy and uncontrollable students. The feedback highlights issues with bullying and poor behavior from both teachers and peers.

Address
2155 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, CA
Phone
(760) 942-2224
Central Montessori School
Before or After School Daycare

One parent highlights the school's organization, cleanliness, and safety, noting excellent and caring teachers. Another parent, who is an elementary school teacher, praises the professional environment, the director, and the fantastic curriculum after two years of attendance.

organizedcleansafe
Address
286 N El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA
Phone
(760) 479-9889

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Frequently asked questions

There are 3 before or after school daycares in Encinitas, California, out of 25 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 Encinitas have an average Google rating of 4.43 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities. About 58% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Encinitas, 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
Encinitas offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 21 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 1 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 3 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 Encinitas for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Encinitas 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.