Children at daycare

Best Before or After School Daycare in Fountain Valley, CA

Compare 2 before or after school daycare in Fountain Valley. Average rating: 4.81/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Fountain Valley, California at a glance

Programs
2
Avg rating
4.81/5
Parent reviews
69
Top rated (4.5+)
7

Fountain Valley has 2 licensed before or after school daycare with 69 parent reviews averaging 4.81/5.7 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 88% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 92708 zip code, averaging 4.81 stars across 19 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Fountain Valley

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
    Hilltop Nursery School
    4.69 score
    5(11)

    9685 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 46 children

    Hilltop Nursery School receives consistently perfect ratings from parents who praise its Reggio-inspired, play-based curriculum and caring teachers. Parents highlight the school's focus on social-emotional development, individualized learning, and strong sense of community, with many families returning for multiple children. The co-op model is valued for enabling parental involvement and learning alongside their children.

    loving and caring teacherssafe and welcoming environmentplay-based and Reggio-inspired curriculumsocial-emotional development focus
  2. 2
    Shoreline Christian Preschool
    4.58 score
    5(7)

    10350 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children

    Parents consistently praise Shoreline Christian Preschool for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional staff who genuinely care for children's wellbeing. The facility prioritizes safety, holistic child development, and strong family communication through the Brightwheel app. Multiple families report feeling confident and happy with their children's growth—socially, emotionally, and academically.

    welcoming and supportive staffstrong teamwork and leadershipemphasis on safetyage-appropriate academics
  3. 3
    Slater Montessori Academy
    4.4 score
    4.5(20)

    10316 Slater Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 96 children

    Parents consistently praise Slater Montessori Academy for its caring, attentive staff who genuinely nurture children's academic, social, and emotional growth. The Montessori method combined with enrichment activities (music, sports, arts and crafts) and low teacher-to-student ratios create a welcoming environment where children thrive and develop confidence and independence.

    Caring and patient teachersstrong Montessori curriculumbalance of structured learning and playextracurricular activities (music

Rating Distribution

Based on 8 daycares with Google ratings in Fountain Valley

4.5 - 5.0
7
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
0
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Fountain Valley, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.75avg rating
14 daycares · 6 rated

Church Daycare

5avg rating
3 daycares · 1 rated

Before or After School Daycare

5avg rating
2 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Fountain Valley zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9270819
4.81
7

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Fountain Valley (12–144 children)

Small

up to 30 children

8

Medium

31–75 children

4

Large

76–150 children

7

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Fountain Valley based on parent reviews

Hilltop Nursery School

5(11)

9685 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, CA

Hilltop Nursery School receives consistently perfect ratings from parents who praise its Reggio-inspired, play-based curriculum and caring teachers. Parents highlight the school's focus on social-emotional development, individualized learning, and strong sense of community, with many families returning for multiple children. The co-op model is valued for enabling parental involvement and learning alongside their children.

loving and caring teacherssafe and welcoming environmentplay-based and Reggio-inspired curriculum

Map

Daycare types in Fountain Valley

Child Daycare & Preschools 14Church Daycare 3Before or After School Daycare 2

Browse by type in Fountain Valley

🎨 Preschools 8✝️ Christian Daycare 3

Before or After School Daycare in Fountain Valley, California

There are 2 before or after school daycare in Fountain Valley, California, making up 11% of the 19 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 Fountain Valley have an average rating of 4.81 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities, with 88% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 69 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Fountain Valley, 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 Fountain Valley

Showing 2 results

Hilltop Nursery School
Before or After School Daycare
5

Hilltop Nursery School receives consistently perfect ratings from parents who praise its Reggio-inspired, play-based curriculum and caring teachers. Parents highlight the school's focus on social-emotional development, individualized learning, and strong sense of community, with many families returning for multiple children. The co-op model is valued for enabling parental involvement and learning alongside their children.

loving and caring teacherssafe and welcoming environmentplay-based and Reggio-inspired curriculum
Address
9685 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, CA
Phone
(714) 963-9838
Fountain Valley School District-Plavan School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
9675 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, CA
Phone
(714) 962-4099

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Frequently asked questions

There are 2 before or after school daycares in Fountain Valley, California, out of 19 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 Fountain Valley have an average Google rating of 4.81 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities. About 88% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Fountain Valley, 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
Fountain Valley offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 14 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 3 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 Fountain Valley for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Fountain Valley 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.