Ages 0–2

Best Infant Daycares in Costa Mesa

Top 17 licensed programs serving babies and toddlers (ages 0–2), ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

17 infant-capable facilities

0 top rated

71% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Orange County

2022 median

$1,705

/ month

infant

$1,220

/ month

toddler

$1,099

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $795/month).

Costa Mesa has 17 licensed childcare providers that serve infants and toddlers, combining dedicated Infant Centers with Family Child Care Homes whose CCLD licenses cover infant age groups. California enforces strict staffing ratios for infant care — typically one caregiver per four infants — and this listing ranks the top 17 options by compliance record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

71% of the ranked programs have a clean inspection record with no Type A (serious) or Type B (minor) citations on file. Each facility page includes the full inspection history, complaint records, and capacity details so you can make an informed decision before touring.

Whether you need care for a 6-month-old or a 20-month-old, the programs below cover the full 0–2 age band. Click any listing to see hours, tuition (when the owner has published it), and the most recent CCLD inspection summary.

Top 17 Infant Daycares in Costa Mesa

Catalyst Kids-lindbergh

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 24 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Cathy Liebel

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Deborah Ann Kadrie

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Harry & Grace Steele Childrens Ctr-orange Coast Co

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 42 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Irma Fisher

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Isabel Augustine

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Kiddie Academy of Costa Mesa

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 19 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Matt Kline Early Head Start

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 16 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Page School of Costa Mesa

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 32 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Patricia Price & Gary Gahm

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Mesa Verde Preschool & Infant Center

Excellent

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 8 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Yadhira Ramirez De Hernandez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Int'l Christian Montessori Academy of Costa Mesa

Fair

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 22 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Heidi Orozco

Fair

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Kids Kastle Preschool

Good

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 30 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Jacqueline Holland

Good

Family Child Care Home · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 14 Est. infant tuition: $1,100 – $1,450/mo

Nobis Preschool

Poor

Child Care - Infant Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 29 Est. infant tuition: $1,400 – $1,900/mo

Browse all infant-capable facilities View all facilities in Costa Mesa

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed infant daycares are in Costa Mesa?

Costa Mesa has 17 licensed childcare providers that serve infants and toddlers (ages 0–2). This includes dedicated Infant Centers and Family Child Care Homes whose licenses cover infant care.

What's the difference between an Infant Center and a Family Child Care Home for infant care?

Infant Centers are commercial facilities dedicated to babies and toddlers with lower child-to-staff ratios (typically 1:4 for infants) and infant-trained caregivers. Family Child Care Homes run from the caregiver's private residence with smaller mixed-age groups — often more flexible hours and a home-like feel.

How much does infant care cost in Costa Mesa?

Typical monthly tuition for infant care in Orange County is about $1,634 at a center and $1,276 at a family child care home (based on 2022 benchmark data). Actual rates vary by facility, schedule, and whether meals are included.

What should I look for when visiting an infant daycare?

Check the caregiver-to-infant ratio (state requires 1:4 or better for infants), look at the nap and feeding setup, ask about diaper changes and feeding schedules, review the facility's inspection history on its detail page, and trust your gut on how caregivers interact with the babies present during your tour.