Best Daycares in Monterey, California (2026)

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

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Monterey County

2022 median

$1,745

/ month

infant

$1,092

/ month

toddler

$856

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $717/month).

Monterey offers a growing number of licensed daycare providers with 11 licensed facilities, including 7 Child Care Centers and 2 Family Child Care Homes. We ranked the top 11 based on their official compliance record and parent reviews to help you find the best fit for your family.

Compliance in Monterey, Monterey County is solid, with 82% of our top-ranked providers maintaining a clean inspection record. Our top pick, Faye Ferranti, holds an Excellent facility score.

When it comes to cost, licensed child care centers in Monterey, Monterey County charge a median of $1,561 per month for infant care and $868 for preschool. These are county-level estimates — individual facilities may vary. Family child care homes are typically more affordable, with infant care averaging around $1,127 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 11 Daycares in Monterey

Faye Ferranti

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Monterey

Capacity: 14

Great Beginnings Early Learning Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 90

Monterey Peninsula College Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 96

Nilofar Hayat

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Monterey

Capacity: 14

Ryan Ranch Children's Center (infant)

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Monterey

Capacity: 40

Santa Catalina Pre-School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 31

Serendipity Pre-School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 28

Monte Vista Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 72

Shoreline Pre-School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 36

Teddy Bear Preschool

Good

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 44

Ryan Ranch Children's Center (pre-School)

Poor

Child Care Center · Monterey

Capacity: 80

View all 11 facilities in Monterey

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed daycares are in Monterey?

There are 11 licensed daycare facilities in Monterey, California, including family child care homes and child care centers.

What types of daycare are available in Monterey?

Monterey has 2 Family Child Care Home, 1 Single Licensed Child Care Center, 7 Child Care Center, 1 Child Care - Infant Center. Use the search filters to narrow by type.

How are daycares in Monterey rated?

Each facility is rated based on state inspection data, including Type A and Type B citations. 82% of facilities in Monterey have no citations on record.

How much does daycare cost in Monterey?

Based on typical county pricing data, licensed child care centers in Monterey charge approximately $1,561/month for infants, $986/month for toddlers, and $868/month for preschool-age children. Licensed family child care homes are typically 20–30% less, with infant care around $1,127/month. Exact pricing varies by facility.