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Ages 5–17

Best School-Age Care in Santa Cruz

Top 10 licensed programs serving kids ages 5–17, ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

10 school-age programs
0 top rated
90% 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 10 licensed programs serving school-age children (5+). This mix includes School-Age Centers focused on before/after school, plus Family Child Care Homes whose licenses cover older kids. California caps school-age ratios at 1:14.

90% of the ranked programs have a clean inspection record with zero citations on file. Click any listing for the full inspection history and complaint record.

Whether you need before-school drop-off, after-school pickup, or full-day summer care, this list covers the top programs in your area. Each facility page includes current tuition (when the owner has published it), schedule options, and the most recent CCLD inspection summary.

Top 10 School-Age Programs in Santa Cruz

1

Ckc Santa Cruz Gardens

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 65
2

Coastal Community Preschool

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 15
3

De La Veaga Ckc Inc.

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 250
4

Kce Champions Llc @ Bonny Doon

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 30
5

Sprouts Sc

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 50
6

Sprouts Sc Happy Valley

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 50
7

Sprouts Sc Tierra Pacifica

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 50
8

Ucsc Children's Center

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 28
9

Westlake Ckc Inc.

Excellent

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 125
10

Kce Champions Llc @ Brook Knoll Elementary

Poor

School Age Child Care Center · Santa Cruz

Capacity: 121
Browse all school-age programs View all facilities in Santa Cruz

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed school-age care programs are in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has 10 licensed programs serving school-age children (5+). This includes dedicated school-age centers, before-and-after-school programs, and family child care homes whose licenses cover this age.
What does school-age care include?
School-age programs typically offer before-school care (early-morning drop-off), after-school care (pickup from school or walk-over from nearby campuses), full-day care on non-school days, and summer camp programs. Activities usually mix homework support, enrichment (art, sports, STEM), and supervised free time.
How much does after-school care cost in Santa Cruz?
Costs vary by schedule (before-only, after-only, or both) and whether summer/break care is bundled. Contact facilities directly for current rates.
What should I look for when choosing a school-age program?
Check the pickup logistics (does the program walk kids over from your school?), homework-help structure, summer camp availability, and outdoor/gym space. Ask about behavior policies, how staff supervises older kids with more independence, and whether the program partners with local schools for coordinated pickup.

Nearby Cities

Scotts Valley
16 facilities
Los Gatos
22 facilities
Watsonville
139 facilities
Saratoga
21 facilities
Campbell
36 facilities
Cupertino
67 facilities

Related Guides

Best Infant Daycares in Santa Cruz
Ages 0–2
Best Preschools in Santa Cruz
Ages 2–5
Best Daycares in Santa Cruz
All ages

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