Santa Clarita, CA · Los Angeles County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Santa Clarita, California

Santa Clarita has earned the nickname "Hollywood North" as a major hub for film and television production, home to over a dozen movie ranches including Melody Ranch and Sable Ranch that have hosted productions for more than 60 years. The valley's diverse landscapes—from mountains and oak groves to desert terrain and lakes—allow these studios to double for locations across the globe, and since 1915 the ranches have been central to the entertainment industry's expansion beyond traditional Hollywood. Gold was discovered here in 1842, six years before the famous discovery at Sutter's Mill, and the area also pioneered California's oil industry with the first successful oil well in the West drilled in 1876. Santa Clarita — the master-planned city 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles spanning Valencia, Saugus, Canyon Country, and Newhall — offers a well-developed network of CCLD-licensed child care centers across seven ZIP codes. We ranked every open, currently-licensed center — no home-based family day cares, no elementary schools — across safety, curriculum, teacher quality, and more, using only verified parent reviews and public CCLD inspection records. We scored each California-licensed childcare center across 11 real dimensions — safety, curriculum, arts & music, infant care, kindergarten readiness and more. Scores drawn from major public review platforms and parent communities — not center marketing.

8Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
228,673City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Creative Years Infant Center & Preschool
21710 Golden Triangle Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant ProgramEst. 1979License #197419242
7.6/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
9
Compassion
9
Mgmt
8
Culture
9
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • 42 Yelp reviews (updated September 2025) — parents describe it as 'the best preschool in the SCV' and praise it as 'an amazing experience' where owners, directors, and teachers 'go above and beyond'
  • Established in 1979 — over 45 years of continuous Santa Clarita Valley service; the longest-running independent infant center and preschool in the city
  • CCLD Infant Center license #197419242, open since January 2014 per current license; capacity 18 children in an intentionally small, high-touch program — 10 weeks to 6 years
  • Exceptional staff retention: 90% of teachers have been with the center over 5 years, several over 10 years, and a handful over 20 years — one teacher has served 30+ years; rare stability in the childcare industry
  • Full-day program 6:00 am–6:00 pm plus half-day option 9:00 am–noon with optional Lunch Bunch — maximum scheduling flexibility for working families
  • Named a 'Three Best Rated' Preschool in Santa Clarita by expert recommenders; serves all surrounding SCV communities including Valencia, Saugus, Canyon Country, Newhall, and Stevenson Ranch

Considerations

  • Capacity of 18 children — intentionally small program; waiting lists are common given long-standing reputation; families should inquire early
  • CCLD January 2026 inspection documents code 101223(a)(2) — families should pull the full evaluation report at ccld.ca.gov before enrolling
  • Half-day program ends at noon with Lunch Bunch extension only Wednesday/Thursday — families needing daily extended care should confirm schedule fits their needs
2
Guidepost Montessori at Plum Canyon
19141 Skyline Ranch Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant ProgramEnglish & Spanish ImmersionLicense #197750220
7.3/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
9
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • 17 Yelp reviews (updated February 2026) — part of the international Guidepost Montessori network, rated highly by parents who describe 'everything with intention' and teachers with 'genuine love for early childhood education'
  • CCLD Single Licensed Child Care Center license #197750220; capacity 144 children — the largest of the two Guidepost campuses in Santa Clarita; inspection as of November 2025 with no citations
  • Authentic Montessori approach in a dual-language English/Spanish immersion environment — children develop true bilingual fluency from infancy
  • Serves 6 weeks to 6 years including confirmed infant program — rare full age-range continuity in a large-scale Montessori environment
  • Located on Skyline Ranch Rd in newer Plum Canyon master-planned community (91350) — modern, purpose-built facility

Considerations

  • Tuition approximately $10,000/year — among the higher-priced options in the Santa Clarita Valley; no subsidized care confirmed
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition required
  • Plum Canyon location may be less convenient for families in Canyon Country 91351 or Newhall 91321 areas on the east/south side of the city
3
Guidepost Montessori at Copper Hill
25135 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant ProgramEnglish & Spanish ImmersionLicense #197750076
7.1/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
9
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • 24 Yelp reviews (updated May 2026) — Guidepost network earns an average 4.8 Google rating across campuses; parents drive 40+ minutes because 'their program and the people who work there are just top notch'
  • CCLD Infant Center license #197750076, licensed since September 2019; capacity 18 children — intimate, small-group Montessori environment in Valencia 91355
  • Quiet private location with real grass and large play yard in a gated community — distinctive outdoor environment for nature-engaged Montessori learning
  • Authentic English/Spanish immersion Montessori program serves infants 6 weeks through preschool — dual-language development from the youngest ages
  • Located in the Copper Hill / Valencia corridor (91355) — convenient for families in West Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, and Castaic

Considerations

  • CCLD inspections 2023–2026 recorded 3 Type B citations — immunization-record and outdoor-space concerns; no Type A citations; families should pull reports at ccld.ca.gov
  • Very small capacity of 18 children — the most limited availability of any Santa Clarita center reviewed; waitlists are expected
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition required
4
Stepping Stones Children's Center
26330 N Friendly Valley Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedWelcomes Special NeedsEst. 1995License #197401106
6.8/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
8
Compassion
9
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 68 Yelp reviews (updated January 2026) — the largest parent review base of any Santa Clarita CCLD child care center; parents call the staff 'absolutely phenomenal' and note children feel 'safe, cared for, and part of a great school'
  • Explicitly welcomes children with special needs — inclusive enrollment philosophy that is uncommon among private Santa Clarita centers
  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197401106, open since 1995; capacity 71 children — 30 years of continuous Santa Clarita service in Newhall area
  • Teachers described as 'knowledgeable, friendly' with a 'clean school filled with everything a child needs to learn and grow'
  • Monday–Friday 6:30 am–6:00 pm — full working-day coverage; located in Newhall area convenient to families in 91321 and surrounding areas

Considerations

  • CCLD inspections in October 2025, May 2024, and July 2023 each noted a Type B citation under codes 101223(a)(2) and 1596.885(c) — families should pull full citation detail at ccld.ca.gov before enrolling
  • Capacity of 71 — a mid-sized program; in-person tour is recommended to assess classroom density and staffing ratios
  • Some complaint investigations on file from August 2023 and November 2021 — families should review complaint records at ccld.ca.gov
5
Montessori on Copperhill
27908 Seco Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant ProgramEst. 2015License #197419826
6.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
6
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 35 Yelp reviews (updated March 2026) — rated 4.8 stars; parents say 'I highly recommend Montessori on Copperhill if you are looking for more than a daycare'
  • CCLD Day Care Center and Infant Center license #197419826, open since June 2015; large capacity of 143 children — one of the largest independent Montessori programs in the Santa Clarita Valley
  • Authentic Montessori environment serves infants through kindergarten prep — full age-range continuity across one campus
  • Monday–Friday 6:30 am–6:30 pm — one of the longest operating windows of any Santa Clarita Montessori center
  • Located in Seco Canyon Road area of Santa Clarita 91350 — convenient for families in Saugus, Valencia, and surrounding areas

Considerations

  • CCLD inspection July 2024 noted 1 Type B citation (code 101229(1)) — families should pull the full report at ccld.ca.gov
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition required
  • Large capacity of 143 children — families seeking a more intimate, boutique Montessori experience may prefer a smaller program
6
Magic Carousel Montessori Preschool 2
28200 Bouquet Canyon Rd Unit K, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant Room Now OpenEst. 2021License #197750222
6.4/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 17 Yelp reviews (updated March 2026) — parents report children 'entered kindergarten already knowing how to read'; director Ms. Carmen praised for maintaining a 'super duper clean' center
  • CCLD Single Licensed Child Care Center license #197750222, opened 2021; capacity 75 children; CCLD inspection October 2025 resulted in zero citations — clean compliance record
  • Extension of a Santa Clarita Valley institution with 25+ years at the original Canyon Country campus — families benefit from proven Montessori lineage with a newer, larger facility
  • New infant room (3 months–2 years) and school-age class (6–12 years) officially open — unusually broad age-range coverage including after-school care
  • Located on Bouquet Canyon Rd in Santa Clarita 91350 — convenient for families in Saugus and surrounding areas

Considerations

  • Opened 2021 — shorter track record than original Canyon Country campus; inspect in person to verify Montessori fidelity in the newer location
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition confirmed
  • CCLD-specific inspection code history beyond 2025 is limited given the newer license — families should periodically check ccld.ca.gov as history builds
7
Congregation Beth Shalom Preschool
21430 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedOnly Full Judaic ECC in SCVAges 2–5 yrLicense #197405109
6.2/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
3
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • The only full-service Judaic Early Childhood Education Center in the Santa Clarita Valley — credentialed, experienced teachers with a dedicated Early Childhood Director
  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197405109; capacity 96 children; established operation with inspections on file from 2023–2025 — well-documented compliance history
  • Parents describe it as 'the most amazing, caring, supportive environment' where children 'made smooth transitions to kindergarten' and were 'prepared socially and academically'
  • Praised as 'best price and value in all of SCV' with 'amazing teachers' and 'awesome events and activities' — strong community-value proposition
  • Located in centre of Santa Clarita at Centre Pointe Pkwy — accessible for Valencia, Saugus, and Canyon Country families

Considerations

  • CCLD inspection records note 1 Type B citation (code 101703(a)) — families should pull the full report at ccld.ca.gov before enrolling
  • Judaic faith-based curriculum emphasis — may not be the right fit for families outside the Jewish community or those seeking a secular program
  • No confirmed infant program — serves preschool ages 2–5; families with children under 2 will need separate infant care arrangements
8
Skyline Academy
18045-18047 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant ProgramCanyon CountryCCLD Day Care Center
5.7/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • 5.0 stars from 6 Yelp reviews (updated June 2026) — all reviewers give maximum rating; parents describe a safe, nurturing environment that 'supports each child's growth and inspires lifelong learning'
  • CCLD-licensed day care center at 18045–18047 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country 91351 — licensed, open as of June 2026
  • Serves infant care through preschool including toddler play groups and after-school programs — full age-range coverage for Canyon Country families
  • Monday–Friday 7:00 am–6:00 pm — full working-day coverage in Canyon Country's core Sierra Hwy corridor
  • Canyon Country location fills a gap in the eastern Santa Clarita Valley — one of the few independently licensed centers serving 91351 families

Considerations

  • CCLD-specific license number and citation history could not be confirmed in public search results — families must pull records at ccld.ca.gov
  • New or recently relaunched program based on limited review history — in-person tour is essential before committing
No centers match this filter.

Families in this area also explore

Compare:
Side-by-side comparison