Best Daycares in Arcata, California (2026)

Maintained by the California Daycares editorial team Last updated November 5, 2026

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Humboldt County

2022 median

$1,586

/ month

infant

$1,003

/ month

toddler

$830

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $602/month).

Arcata offers a growing number of licensed daycare providers with 14 licensed facilities, including 6 Child Care Centers and 3 Child Care - Infant Centers. We ranked the top 14 based on their official compliance record and parent reviews to help you find the best fit for your family.

The daycare landscape in Arcata, Humboldt County is strong — 93% of the top-ranked facilities have a clean inspection record with no citations. Our top pick, 126 Cal Poly Humboldt Children's Center Rm# 129, holds an Excellent facility score.

When it comes to cost, licensed child care centers in Arcata, Humboldt County charge a median of $1,514 per month for infant care and $886 for preschool. These are county-level estimates — individual facilities may vary. Family child care homes are typically more affordable, with infant care averaging around $991 per month.

Each facility listed below links to a detailed profile page where you can review inspection history, complaint records, capacity, and contact information. We update our rankings regularly as new licensing data becomes available.

Top 14 Daycares in Arcata

126 Cal Poly Humboldt Children's Center Rm# 129

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Arcata

Capacity: 27

Aida Perez-Quintas Family Child Care Home

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Arcata

Capacity: 14

Child Development Laboratory

Excellent

Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 26

Children of the Redwoods Infant Toddler Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Arcata

Capacity: 37

Head Start - Children of the Redwoods

Excellent

Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 24

Jennifer Caldwell Family Child Care Home

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Arcata

Capacity: 14

Little Learners

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 30

Little Learners Arcata

Excellent

Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 41

Little Learners Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 30

Little Learners Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Arcata

Capacity: 30

Nora Winge Family Child Care Home

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Arcata

Capacity: 14

Stepping Stones Children's Garden

Excellent

Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 30

Cal Poly Humboldt Children's Center Rm#104,108,125

Excellent

Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 58

Stepping Stones Extended Day Care Program

Good

School Age Child Care Center · Arcata

Capacity: 30

View all 14 facilities in Arcata

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed daycares are in Arcata?

There are 14 licensed daycare facilities in Arcata, California, including family child care homes and child care centers.

What types of daycare are available in Arcata?

Arcata has 3 Child Care - Infant Center, 3 Family Child Care Home, 6 Child Care Center, 1 Single Licensed Child Care Center, 1 School Age Child Care Center. Use the search filters to narrow by type.

How are daycares in Arcata rated?

Each facility is rated based on state inspection data, including Type A and Type B citations. 93% of facilities in Arcata have no citations on record.

How much does daycare cost in Arcata?

Based on typical county pricing data, licensed child care centers in Arcata charge approximately $1,514/month for infants, $973/month for toddlers, and $886/month for preschool-age children. Licensed family child care homes are typically 20–30% less, with infant care around $991/month. Exact pricing varies by facility.