Children at daycare

Best Before or After School Daycare in Goleta, CA

Compare 3 before or after school daycare in Goleta. Average rating: 4.75/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Goleta, California at a glance

Programs
3
Avg rating
4.75/5
Parent reviews
30
Top rated (4.5+)
7

Goleta has 3 licensed before or after school daycare with 30 parent reviews averaging 4.75/5.7 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 88% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 93117 zip code, averaging 4.75 stars across 15 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Goleta

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
    Good Shepherd Pre-School
    4.55 score
    5(6)

    380 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 50 children

    Good Shepherd Preschool in Goleta receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the caring staff, spacious outdoor facilities, and enriching activities. Parents report their children are happy, well-prepared for kindergarten, and form strong friendships while enjoying diverse programming including music, dance, and science.

    Caring and attentive teachersspacious outdoor play areassandbox and truckslarge play structures
  2. 2
    Steps To Learning Preschool
    4.5 score
    5(5)

    6901 Phelps Rd., Goleta, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 15 children

    Steps to Learning Preschool in Goleta receives consistently high praise from parents for providing excellent care, structured learning, and developmental support across infant, toddler, and preschool age groups. Parents highlight the nurturing atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and engaged management under owner Ruwini Goonewardina. Children reportedly thrive academically and socially while enjoying field trips, activities, and a flexible schedule.

    Exceptional and well-trained staffCPR certifiedstrong developmental outcomes across cognitive/social/emotional/physical domainsindividualized attention to child needs
  3. 3
    Steps To Learning Preschool
    4.5 score
    5(5)

    6901 Phelps Road, Goleta, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children

    Parents consistently praise Steps to Learning Preschool for its nurturing environment, experienced staff, and comprehensive developmental programs. Children show measurable growth in academics, social skills, and language development. The owner Ruwini is noted as hands-on and responsive to family needs.

    Experienced and knowledgeable staffCPR certifiedflexible schedulingdiverse learning activities (academics
  4. 4
    Cac - Goleta I Center
    4.31 score
    4.5(8)

    5681 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children

    CAC - Goleta I Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most praising the caring teachers, child happiness, and helpful staff. One unrelated review about a senior lunch program at a different Davis Center location criticized staff organization and professionalism. Overall, parents feel comfortable and satisfied with the daycare services.

    Kind and caring teachershelpful staffchildren happy and eager to attendcommunity resources provided

Rating Distribution

Based on 8 daycares with Google ratings in Goleta

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

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.71avg rating
12 daycares · 7 rated

Before or After School Daycare

5avg rating
3 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Goleta zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9311715
4.75
7

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Goleta (12–72 children)

Small

up to 30 children

6

Medium

31–75 children

9

Large

76–150 children

0

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Goleta based on parent reviews

Goleta Valley Nursery School

5

550 Cambridge Drive, Goleta, CA

Map

Daycare types in Goleta

Child Daycare & Preschools 12Before or After School Daycare 3

Browse by type in Goleta

🎨 Preschools 4

Before or After School Daycare in Goleta, California

There are 3 before or after school daycare in Goleta, California, making up 20% of the 15 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 Goleta have an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities, with 88% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 30 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Goleta, 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 Goleta

Showing 3 results

Goleta Valley Nursery School
Before or After School Daycare
5
Address
550 Cambridge Drive, Goleta, CA
Phone
(805) 964-5514
El Camino School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
5020 San Simeon, Goleta, CA
Phone
(805) 692-5574
Ellwood School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
7686 Hollister Ave., Goleta, CA
Phone
(805) 571-3774

Page 1 of 1· 3 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 3 before or after school daycares in Goleta, California, out of 15 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 Goleta have an average Google rating of 4.75 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities. About 88% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Goleta, 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
Goleta offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 12 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 Goleta for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Goleta 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.