Daycare in Carpinteria, CA
11 licensed programs in Carpinteria (Santa Barbara County): 10 child care centers and 1 school-age program. Together they're licensed for 537 children.
Short answer
Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, as of October 2026. Child care centers, infant centers and school-age centers that CDSS lists as licensed. California's current open data doesn't include family child care homes, so this list has centers only; search CCLD for licensed family child care homes. Openings change daily, so call first.
What daycare costs in Santa Barbara County
$453/weekmedian for full-time infant care at a center ($23,532 a year) in 2022, before inflation since.
| Weekly | Center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $453 | $363 |
| Toddler | $309 | $305 |
| Preschool | $242 | $286 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of 2022.
10 child care centers in Carpinteria
Licensed centers, A to Z, with street addresses.
- Carpinteria Children's Project Preschoolicensed for 132
5201 Eighth Street, 93013 · (805) 566-1600
License 426215330 - Carpinteria Kinderkirk Preschool & Daylicensed for 104
1111 Vallecito Rd, 93013 · (805) 684-4070
License 421701053 - Cate Early Learning CenterInfant · licensed for 6
1787 Cate Mesa Rd., 93013 · (805) 684-4127
License 426212736 - Cate Early Learning Centerlicensed for 22
1787 Cate Mesa Rd., 93013 · (805) 684-4127
License 426212737 - Coastal Family Preschoollicensed for 45
5026 Foothill Rd, 93013 · (805) 684-3353
License 426215903 - Coastal Family PreschoolInfant · licensed for 6
5026 Foothill Road, 93013 · (805) 684-2437
License 426216451 - Communify Betty Sanchez Centerlicensed for 24
4849 Foothill Road, 93013 · (805) 967-3637
License 426216336 - Communify Carpinteria Infant & ToddlerInfant · licensed for 4
4849 Foothill Road, 93013 · (805) 967-3637
License 426216335 - Howard Carden Sch. Early Childhood Educlicensed for 45
1532 Linden Ave., 93013 · (805) 745-8448
License 426216022 - Lou Grant Parent-Child Workshoplicensed for 49
5400 Sixth Street, 93013 · (805) 684-5310
License 421710912
1 school-age program in Carpinteria
Before- and after-school and summer programs for school-age children.
- Girls Incorporated of CarpinteriaSchool-age · licensed for 100
5315 Foothill Road, 93013 · (805) 684-6364
License 421712405
How can I get help paying for daycare in Carpinteria?
Subsidized child care (Child Care and Development programs) pays part of the bill at a licensed provider you choose; you pay a copay based on income.
Help paying in California
Subsidized child care (Child Care and Development programs), run by California Department of Social Services
$93,420a year or less for a family of three to start (85% of state median income), as of July 2025. You also need to work, study or train.
The highest copay reported for a family of three is 1% of income (January 2025).
How to applySources: California Department of Social Services; National Women's Law Center
- Child care assistance in every state Income limits, copays and waiting lists
- Child care cost by county Look up any county in California
- How much childcare costs Center, home daycare and nanny prices
- Dependent care FSA calculator The FSA or the tax credit for 2026
- Head Start in California Free preschool and Early Head Start if you qualify
Daycare in Carpinteria: common questions
How much does daycare cost in Carpinteria, CA?
In Santa Barbara County, full-time infant care at a child care center had a median price of $453 a week ($23,532 a year) in 2022, and preschool care $242 a week. A family child care home charged a median $363 a week for an infant. These prices come from the U.S. Department of Labor and aren't adjusted for inflation, so expect higher rates today.
How many licensed daycares are in Carpinteria?
California's list shows 11 licensed programs in Carpinteria as of October 2026: 10 child care centers and 1 school-age program. Together they're licensed for 537 children, though licensed capacity isn't the same as open spots.
Can I get help paying for daycare in Carpinteria?
Yes, if you qualify. Subsidized child care (Child Care and Development programs), run by California Department of Social Services, pays part of the cost at a provider you choose. A family of three can earn up to $93,420 a year to start.
How do I know a daycare is licensed?
Every program on this page is on California's list of active licensed programs, with its license number. Look up the record before you tour: it shows the ages and number of children the program is licensed for and its inspection history.
Sources
- 1.Community Care Licensing Facilities (CDSS_CCL_Facilities) California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Accessed October 16, 2026.
- 2.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 3.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 4.Subsidized child care (Child Care and Development programs) California Department of Social Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 5.California: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-08-21) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 6.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 7.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 8.42 U.S. Code 9858n, Definitions (Child Care and Development Block Grant Act) Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 9.Understanding and finding child care in California Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.