Safety7
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care7
K-ready7
Teachers8
Compassion8
Mgmt8
Culture8
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars7
Strengths
- NAEYC nationally accredited — highest independent quality standard in early childhood education
- Staff with exceptional tenure: Health/Safety Coordinator 25+ years, Director and Assistant Director 20+ years each
- Yelp 24 reviews; full infant-through-school-age continuum (6 weeks–12 years)
- CCLD license 304270404; Monday–Friday 6:30 am–6:30 pm
- Enrichment programs in Spanish, Math, Music, Fitness, and Reading/Phonics
Considerations
- Large corporate KinderCare chain — less individualized than independent centers
- Google Maps rating not confirmed in available sources
Safety7
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care8
K-ready5
Teachers8
Compassion9
Mgmt7
Culture8
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Specialized nonprofit serving blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind children from infancy — unique and critical service gap
- CCLD licensed early intervention and education center for children birth through school age
- Highly specialized staff trained in visual impairment, orientation and mobility, and adaptive curriculum
- Phone (714) 573-8888; CCLD licensed (ZIP 92705)
- Compassion score elevated to 9 — mission-driven care for children with profound needs is a hallmark of this program
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Specialized program — only appropriate for families of children with visual impairments or dual sensory impairments
- Street address not confirmed to specific street number in publicly available sources
Safety7
Curriculum7
Art/Music5
Infant care7
K-ready5
Teachers7
Compassion8
Mgmt8
Culture8
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Highest 5-Star rating from Quality Start OC — Orange County's voluntary quality rating system
- Honored by First 5 Orange County and City of Santa Ana (25-year service recognition, 2024)
- Zero CCLD citations on record — cleaner than county average of 2.0 citations per facility
- Founded 1999; served more than 2,300 children in downtown Santa Ana
- Bilingual staff; English language development embedded in curriculum
- Comprehensive wraparound services: health/developmental screenings, financial literacy for parents
- Focused on working poor and low-income families — mission-driven nonprofit staffing
Considerations
- Licensed for only 9 children (infant center) — extremely small; enrollment likely restricted or grant-based
- Hours 6:30 AM–6:30 PM; located in downtown civic center area — parking may be limited
- Not a typical tuition-based center; eligibility may be income-restricted
Safety7
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care7
K-ready5
Teachers7
Compassion8
Mgmt7
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Zero citations across all CCLD inspections — clean compliance record including complaint investigation Dec 2024
- Award-winning nonprofit licensed since 1999; honored by City of Santa Ana for 25 years of service
- Mission-focused on working-poor families — serves children 6 weeks to 5 years
- 6:30 am–6:30 pm hours offer extended working-family coverage
Considerations
- Small capacity (9 children) — extremely limited enrollment; waitlist almost certain
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care7
K-ready7
Teachers7
Compassion7
Mgmt7
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Yelp: 4.5 stars across 132 reviews — consistently praised for warm staff and clean facility
- ResellerRatings: 4.84 stars from 107 reviews — one of the highest-rated Childtime locations in Southern California
- Serves 6 weeks through 12 years — full infant program through school-age care
- BrightWheel app for daily photos and real-time updates; live video access available
- Director Andrea described by parents as running 'a tight ship' with open communication
- Reggio Emilia-influenced curriculum encouraging creativity and inquiry
- CCLD License 304370427 — active per childcarecenter.us inspection records
Considerations
- Google review count not independently confirmed — cannot verify Google star rating
- CCLD inspection records show 3 Type A and 11 Type B citations (2023–2026) — above average for area
- Complaint investigations filed in 2023 and 2025 — families should review state inspection reports
- Licensed for 35 children only — small capacity relative to demand; waitlist likely
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care7
K-ready5
Teachers8
Compassion7
Mgmt7
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- College laboratory school on Santa Ana College campus — staff supervised by ECE faculty with highest academic standards
- State-of-the-art purpose-built facility with age-appropriate playgrounds designed for each developmental stage
- Serves infants (6 months–2 years), toddlers (2–3 years), and preschoolers (3–5 years) — full infant continuum
- CCLD licensed (license 304370648); capacity 190 — large, stable operation
- Full-day Monday–Friday 7:30 am–5:00 pm; strong parent involvement component
- Highly qualified teaching staff who model best practices as foundational early childhood educators
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Lab school model means student-teachers rotate through classrooms as part of SAC ECE program
- Enrollment may prioritize SAC students and income-qualifying families — general public enrollment not guaranteed
Safety6
Curriculum8
Art/Music7
Infant care3
K-ready5
Teachers8
Compassion7
Mgmt7
Culture8
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars7
Strengths
- Founded 1969 — over 55 years of continuous Reggio-inspired play-based preschool in North Tustin/Santa Ana border
- 1:6 teacher-to-child ratio for preschool and 1:8 for Pre-K — described as lowest in Orange County
- Yelp: 32 reviews (updated February 2026); parents praise nurturing environment and comprehensive curriculum
- Weekly lesson plans aligned to NAEYC guidelines: math, literacy, science, music/movement, gardening, cooking, yoga
- CCLD license 300600222; licensed child care center
- Play-based Reggio Emilia philosophy with hands-on project learning
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Does not serve infants — preschool ages only (minimum age not confirmed; likely 2.5–3 years)
- Located near Santa Ana/North Tustin border — may not be convenient for families in south or central Santa Ana
- No NAEYC accreditation confirmed despite curriculum alignment
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care4
K-ready7
Teachers7
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Yelp 28 reviews; Winnie listed with positive parent feedback
- Established 1980 — 40+ years continuously operating at same location; deep community roots
- Capacity 74; serves ages 2–6 with kindergarten program
- Licensed since 2009 for current operator; community-mission preschool and afterschool care
- Below-county-average citation rate: 1 Type B citation only
Considerations
- CCLD license 304370518: 1 Type B citation (July 2024, staff qualification violation)
- Infant care not confirmed — minimum age appears to be 2 years
- Yelp star rating not confirmed to precise number in available sources
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music5
Infant care7
K-ready4
Teachers8
Compassion7
Mgmt7
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- College-campus lab school operated by Rancho Santiago CCD — serves as model ECE training site
- Serves infants 6 months through preschool age 5 — one of few college infant centers in OC
- Highly qualified teaching staff; student teachers supervised by ECE credentialed faculty
- CCLD License 304370648; Infant Center license type
- SAC campus location — access to college resources and ECE program support
- Language and literacy, mathematical thinking, social studies embedded in curriculum
Considerations
- Licensed for only 30 infants — very small enrollment; waitlists expected
- Enrollment may prioritize SAC students or ECE program participants
- Hours 7:30 AM–5:00 PM — shorter than commercial centers
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready7
Teachers7
Compassion7
Mgmt7
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Yelp 4.5 stars from 22 reviews — strong parent satisfaction
- Bilingual state-licensed teachers; English and Spanish instruction
- Capacity 59; serves ages 2–6 including kindergarten program
- CCLD license 304370702; Monday–Friday 6 am–6 pm — early-start working-family hours
- Breakfast, lunch, and snacks included; before and after school care available
Considerations
- Infant care not available — minimum age 2 years
- Google Maps rating not confirmed in available sources
- CCLD citation history not confirmed in available sources — verify directly via CCLD database
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music5
Infant care7
K-ready5
Teachers7
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Yelp 4.0 stars from 13 reviews; Top Rated Local 5.0 from 4 ratings
- Reviews specifically praise cleanliness: described as 'THE CLEANEST in SA'
- Staff described as friendly and knowledgeable about each child
- CCLD license 304371224; serves infants and toddlers from 6 weeks
- National Kiddie Academy education-based curriculum
Considerations
- Very small licensed capacity (20 children) — likely waitlist
- No broader full-preschool program confirmed — primarily infant/toddler focus
- CCLD citation history includes complaint investigation visits — verify directly via CCLD database
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care3
K-ready7
Teachers7
Compassion6
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Founded 1973 — 50+ years of Montessori education in northeast Santa Ana/Tustin border area
- Yelp: 9 reviews highlighting the school's Montessori teaching methods and warm environment
- Serves Pre-K through first grade — Montessori continuity into early elementary
- Member of National Association of Laboratory Schools
- CCLD licensed child care center (ZIP 92705)
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Does not serve infants — Montessori ages (typically 2.5+) only
- Very small review base (9 Yelp reviews) limits confidence in overall sentiment
- Student-teacher ratio of 27:1 reported — higher than typical Montessori ideal; verify current ratios directly
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music6
Infant care3
K-ready5
Teachers7
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars6
Strengths
- Operated by Rancho Santiago Community College District — professional educational oversight
- Inclusive program serving children ages 3–5 including children with special needs
- Child-centered flexible environment where children have significant control over own activities — play as learning
- Teaching staff hold at minimum a Bachelor's degree — high credential floor
- Hours 7:45 am–5:30 pm; CCLD licensed (ZIP 92704)
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Does not serve infants or toddlers — minimum age 3 years
- Enrollment may prioritize income-qualifying or special-needs families — general availability not confirmed
Safety6
Curriculum7
Art/Music5
Infant care3
K-ready5
Teachers7
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Operated by Rancho Santiago Community College District — college-affiliated lab school with faculty oversight
- Serves children ages 3–5 including children with special needs — inclusive programming
- Licensed since 1983 — longstanding community resource with strong institutional support
- CCLD License 300605318; licensed for 69 children; Day Care Center type
- Hours 7:45 AM–5:30 PM; play-based curriculum with flexible indoor/outdoor exploration
- Teachers are ECE-credentialed professionals supervised by RSCCD faculty
Considerations
- Does not serve infants — preschool-only (ages 3–5)
- Hours end at 5:30 PM — shorter than most commercial centers; may not suit all working families
- Enrollment may prioritize RSCCD students or income-qualified families
Safety6
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care3
K-ready7
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Founded 1972 — 53+ years serving northeast Santa Ana families (92705)
- Yelp: 10 reviews (updated May 2026); parents who leave positive reviews describe staff going 'above and beyond'
- CCLD licensed; licensed full TK program — kindergarten continuity at same campus
- Owner-directed since 1972 under Kim Cordoba — long-tenured leadership
- Hours 7:00 am–5:00 pm Monday–Friday; serves ages 2–6
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Mixed Yelp sentiment — some reviewers report difficulty reaching administration and feeling dismissed
- Does not serve infants
- Very small Yelp review base (10 reviews) makes sentiment difficult to assess with confidence
Safety6
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care5
K-ready6
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt6
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Catalyst Family Inc. nonprofit operating both Guin Foss State Preschool CDC and Catalyst Kids program at this site
- State preschool program available for income-qualifying families
- Infant, preschool, and school-age programs offered — broad age range
- Phone (714) 731-7408; CCLD licensed (ZIP 92705)
- Subsidized care available through CalWORKs and alternative payment programs
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Street address not confirmed to specific street number in publicly available sources
- State preschool hours may be part-time — verify full-day availability directly
Safety6
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready5
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) — mission-driven nonprofit serving Latino working families
- BBB A+ rating
- Developmental curriculum includes cultural awareness and parent-involvement component
- Serves ages 2–5 with early learning and social services support
- Established multi-location organization with strong community ties
Considerations
- CCLD citation history not confirmed in available sources — verify directly via CCLD database
- No Google Maps or Yelp rating confirmed in available sources
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready6
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Part of Calvary Church complex — large, well-maintained campus with dedicated preschool facilities
- CCLD License 300602018; Day Care Center; licensed for 133 children — large capacity for Santa Ana
- Faith-based Christian curriculum with emphasis on social-emotional development
- Winnie listing shows active enrollment; open Monday–Friday
- Located in 92705 ZIP — one of Santa Ana's more residential neighborhoods near Tustin border
Considerations
- Calvary Chapel Schools (K-12 branch at same complex) Yelp shows only 17 reviews — limited public feedback ecosystem
- Christian faith focus — not suitable for all families
- Does not appear to serve infants based on available program information
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready5
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt6
Culture7
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Mexican American Opportunity Foundation — largest Latino-oriented family services nonprofit in the US, founded 1963
- BBB A+ accredited; 25+ years of continuous operation at this Santa Ana location
- Culturally responsive curriculum with bilingual Spanish-English programming
- Subsidized child care accepted; serves low-income working families
- CCLD License 304270683; serves ages 2–5; licensed since 2000
- Part of a statewide network providing head start and state preschool services
Considerations
- Only 1 Yelp review found (5 stars) — insufficient to assess consistency
- Does not serve infants — program starts at age 2
- Income eligibility likely restricts enrollment to qualifying families
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready6
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt5
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Capacity 125 — large campus accommodating high enrollment
- Parents praise nurturing spiritual and academic development; teachers described as patient and dedicated
- Part of established Calvary Chapel school campus (preschool through high school)
- Multiple Yelp reviews highlighting positive child experience
Considerations
- CCLD license 304370643: 5 Type B citations across inspections — above county average
- Faith-based Christian environment; not suitable for all families
- No public Google Maps rating confirmed; limited platform review volume for preschool specifically
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care5
K-ready5
Teachers6
Compassion7
Mgmt5
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Nonprofit CDC preschool serving Santa Ana's working-poor families — mission-aligned community care
- Spanish and English language immersion program for ages 3–5
- State preschool program option with subsidized enrollment for qualifying families
- BBB listed; Facebook community presence with parent engagement
Considerations
- Part-time hours (state preschool component 8 am–11 am) — full-day coverage not confirmed for all programs
- Infant care not confirmed — minimum age appears to be 3 years for state preschool program
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care5
K-ready5
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt5
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- CCLD licensed child care center serving south Santa Ana (92707)
- Curriculum goal: high-quality education that nurtures and supports active learning in a safe environment
- Phone (714) 835-4110; serves the south Santa Ana corridor near Delhi neighborhood
Considerations
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
- Street address not confirmed to specific street number in publicly available sources
- Limited public information on age range, hours, capacity, or program details
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready6
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt5
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Yelp: 4.0 stars across 28 reviews — generally positive community standing
- Operating for more than 40 years at the same location — strong community roots
- Bilingual staff (English/Spanish) serving Santa Ana's large Latino population
- CCTV cameras inside and out; security doors for child safety
- Meals provided; ages 2–12, full-time and part-time care
- CCLD License 304370518; licensed for 74 children
- Hours 6:00 AM–6:00 PM Monday–Friday — among the longest in the area
Considerations
- Google review count not independently confirmed — cannot verify Google star rating
- Yelp reviews include negative accounts of staff raising voice at children — management responsiveness unclear
- Yelp rating of 4.0 is the lowest among Santa Ana centers with significant review counts
- Care.com rating (5.0 from 5 reviews) conflicts with broader Yelp history — mixed overall picture
Safety4
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care6
K-ready6
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt4
Culture5
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- ResellerRatings 4.84 stars from 107 reviews — strong aggregate satisfaction
- BBB A+ rating
- Capacity 103 — large center with full infant-through-school-age continuum
- Licensed since 1991; established long-term Childtime national brand presence
- Monday–Friday 6:30 am–6:00 pm hours offer working-family flexibility
Considerations
- CCLD license 300610695: Type A citation issued with 8 violations — serious regulatory findings; complaint investigations Feb and June 2024
- No parent reviews on childcarecenter.us — limited independent verification on third-party platforms
- Complaint investigations triggered inspections in 2024 indicating substantiated concerns
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready6
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt5
Culture5
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Licensed child care center on Edinger Ave corridor — convenient for west Santa Ana families
- Preschool and kindergarten programs for ages 2–6
- Yelp presence among Santa Ana's top-ranked preschools per 2026 Yelp listings
Considerations
- CCLD citation history and license number not confirmed in available sources — verify directly via CCLD database
- Infant care not confirmed — minimum age likely 2 years
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care3
K-ready5
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt5
Culture6
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- Federal Head Start program — comprehensive early childhood services at no cost for qualifying low-income families
- CCLD License 304370465; Day Care Center; licensed for 60 children
- Located in the Delhi neighborhood of Santa Ana — serves families in one of OC's highest-need ZIP codes
- Head Start national standards include health screenings, family support services, and nutrition
- Bilingual staff serving Santa Ana's predominantly Latino community
Considerations
- Does not serve infants — Head Start targets ages 3–5
- Enrollment restricted to income-qualifying families meeting federal poverty guidelines
- No confirmed Google rating — mgmt and culture scores reflect Head Start program norms, not site-specific feedback
Safety5
Curriculum6
Art/Music5
Infant care4
K-ready5
Teachers6
Compassion6
Mgmt5
Culture5
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars5
Strengths
- CCLD license 304370876; capacity 48; licensed child care center in north Santa Ana corridor
- School-age day care program serving working families
- North Santa Ana location accessible to families near North Grand Ave and East Santa Ana neighborhoods
Considerations
- School-age focus — infant and preschool programming not confirmed
- No Google Maps rating confirmed in available sources
28
4.2/ 10
Safety3
Curriculum5
Art/Music4
Infant care5
K-ready4
Teachers5
Compassion5
Mgmt3
Culture4
Class sizes0
Extracurriculars4
Strengths
- Dedicated infant center co-located with larger day care — convenient same-campus transition
- Capacity 35 infants; serves 6 weeks to 12 years
- Licensed Childtime national brand with standardized curriculum frameworks
Considerations
- CCLD license 304370427: 3 Type A and 11 Type B citations — significantly above county average; serious compliance concerns
- Multiple complaint investigation reports on file; above-average regulatory burden
No centers match this filter.