Del Mar, CA · San Diego County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Del Mar, California

Del Mar earned its lasting identity in 1937 when Bing Crosby and a group of Hollywood stars founded the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club with its iconic slogan "where the turf meets the surf"—a reference to the racetrack's unique location just steps from the Pacific Ocean. By the 1940s, Del Mar had become a glamorous summer retreat for major film industry figures, a legacy that shaped its character as an upscale coastal village where the beaches and racing culture remain central to local life. Find top-rated, CCLD-licensed child care centers in Del Mar, CA. 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.

3Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
4,243City population
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
LePort Montessori School — Solana Beach / Del Mar
1010 Solana Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedSpanish Immersion Available
7.7/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
9
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
8
Teachers
9
Compassion
8
Mgmt
8
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • Yelp: 42 reviews with overwhelmingly positive parent feedback praising warm teachers and authentic Montessori practice
  • Full continuum from infants (3 months) through Grade 6 — one of the few programs offering true long-term continuity
  • Spanish immersion available; children described as developing into 'inquisitive, intellectually active' learners
  • Nightly teacher photos and learning updates — parents feel highly connected to classroom life
  • Large capacity of 144 with structured infant care, toddler, preschool, and elementary programs

Considerations

  • State licensing records list one Type B citation (2021) and note two complaint investigations (March 2024 and February 2025); prospective families may wish to review the current CCLD facility record for context.
  • Premium private Montessori pricing — among the higher-cost options in coastal North San Diego
  • No Google review count publicly indexed — unable to confirm Google rating
  • Though addressed in Del Mar, school name references Solana Beach — some families may find the branding confusing
2
Torrey Pines Montessori Center
2586 Carmel Valley Road, Del Mar, CA 92014
★ 5 (8 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedSmall Intimate Program
7.0/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
5
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
7
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • Google: 5.0 stars from 8 reviews — parents praise the academically rigorous yet joyful environment
  • Yelp: 9 reviews — 'a wonderful school' described by families; licensed since 1996
  • Very small and intimate program (capacity 12) — every child receives highly individualized Montessori attention
  • Curriculum covers practical life, math, science, art, and literacy; open 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; meals provided

Considerations

  • CCLD record: 1 Type B citation from February 2023 inspection
  • Extremely limited capacity (12 children) — enrollment is highly restricted and likely waitlisted
  • No infant program (preschool through Kindergarten only)
  • Small program means fewer peer social interactions compared to larger centers
3
Del Mar Hills Nursery School
13692 Mango Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedEstablished 1970
6.4/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
7
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
5
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • Established in 1970 — one of the oldest nursery schools in Del Mar with near-99% sibling return rate
  • Yelp: 22 reviews (updated May 2026); Niche and GreatSchools listings reflect well-regarded community standing
  • Unique curriculum blending Froebel, Montessori, Orff Schulwerk, and Reggio Emilia philosophies
  • Year-round operation 7:00 AM–6:00 PM Monday-Friday; ages 2–5; capacity 60

Considerations

  • State licensing records note one citation on file (documented as a lower-severity Type B deficiency, which regulators define as requiring corrective action without imminent risk), associated with inspections in February 2022 and August 2025; families may wish to review the current CCLD record directly.
  • A complaint investigation was filed August 2021
  • No infant program (ages 2–5 only)
  • No Google review count publicly indexed — unable to confirm Google rating
No centers match this filter.

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