Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Santa Barbara

Top 20 licensed programs serving children ages 2–5, ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

45 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Santa Barbara County

2022 median

$1,959

/ month

infant

$1,338

/ month

toddler

$1,048

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $663/month).

Santa Barbara has 45 licensed childcare providers serving preschool-age children (2–5), combining Child Care Centers and qualifying Family Child Care Homes. California caps preschool ratios at 1:12 (one caregiver per twelve kids). This guide ranks the top 20 by inspection record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

100% of the ranked programs have a clean inspection record with zero citations on file. Each facility's page shows the full inspection and complaint history so you can dig deeper before scheduling a tour.

Programs vary widely in philosophy — Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based, and academic models are all represented. Click any listing to see the teaching style (when the owner has published it), tuition ranges, and the latest CCLD inspection summary.

Top 20 Preschools in Santa Barbara

All Saints by the Sea Parish School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 77 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Bright Start Early Years

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Cac - Coronel Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 38 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Child's Play

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 25 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Congregation B'nai B'rith

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Cottage Health System's Child Care Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Discoveries Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

El Montecito Early School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 61 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Garden Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 56 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Here We Grow Early Learning Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 39 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Island View Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Learningden Llc

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Little Angels Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 51 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

More Mesa Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Notre Dame Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Oaks Parent Child Workshop

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Orfalea Family Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 132 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Orfalea Family Children's Center Club House

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Providence Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Barbara

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Santa Barbara

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has 45 licensed childcare programs that serve preschool-age children (ages 2–5). This includes dedicated preschool centers and family child care homes whose licenses cover this age group.

What's the difference between a preschool and a daycare center?

In California licensing terminology the two overlap significantly — most "preschools" are licensed as Child Care Centers that happen to serve children ages 2–5 with a structured curriculum. Dedicated preschool programs tend to emphasize school readiness, early literacy, and social-emotional development.

How much does preschool cost in Santa Barbara?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Santa Barbara County is about $1,072 at a center and $1,064 at a family child care home (based on 2022 benchmark data). Part-day and half-day programs cost less.

What should I look for when choosing a preschool?

Look for a published curriculum or teaching philosophy, low teacher turnover, outdoor play space, a clean inspection history on the facility's page, and caregivers who engage warmly with children during your tour. Ask about ratio (state maximum is 1:12 for preschoolers), transition plans to kindergarten, and how behavior and conflict are handled.