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Licensed Daycare in Santa Ana, California

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Santa Ana?

Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Santa Ana?

California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. We index every state-licensed provider so you can compare options side by side.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$1,800/mo

California avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Santa Ana

ChildCare Aware reports the California average full-time cost at $1,800/month for infant care and $1,240/month for preschool. City-level prices in Santa Ana vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. California families may also qualify for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195).

Full California licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division
Infant ratio: 1:4
Toddler ratio: 1:6
Preschool ratio: 1:12
Avg capacity: 71 kids

ZIP codes covered

92701 17 92703 7 92705 6 92704 6 92706 5 3

Program types in Santa Ana

Licensed Family Daycare Home

3 centers

Head Start Center

3 centers

Licensed Group Child Care Home

2 centers

Licensed Child Care Center

2 centers

All Santa Ana licensed centers

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F Montessori

Fresno Stepping Stones #374

Santa Ana

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 63

L Montessori

Los Angeles Smart Start Academy #960

Santa Ana

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 120

S Montessori

Santa Ana Rainbow Learning Center #471

Santa Ana

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 104

Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.

Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Santa Ana, California?

Our directory lists 20 licensed childcare centers in Santa Ana, California, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Santa Ana?

Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Santa Ana daycares?

All licensed California centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:12 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Santa Ana typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Santa Ana?

California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Santa Ana daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.