Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Santa Cruz

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

32 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Santa Cruz County

2022 median

$2,065

/ month

infant

$1,411

/ month

toddler

$1,107

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $827/month).

Santa Cruz has 32 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 Cruz

Acr Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 52 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Bayside Baptist Christian Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 21 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Bonny Doon Pre-school

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 20 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Bridges to Kinder Parent and E.c.e. Program

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 18 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Calvary Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Children's Preschool Santa Cruz

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 33 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Community Bridges Eed Nuevo Dia Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Community Bridges Eed Sycamore Street Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Del Mar State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Discovery West

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 28 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Downtown Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Family Network Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 25 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Green Acres State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 56 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Holy Cross Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Kinder Cottage Children's Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Life Spring Community Preschool and Infant Care

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 77 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Live Oak Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Messiah Lutheran Preschool and Day Care

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Midtown Discovery Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has 32 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 Cruz?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Santa Cruz County is about $1,050 at a center and $1,134 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.