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Daycare in Santa Cruz, CA

45 licensed programs in Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz County): 36 child care centers and 9 school-age programs. Together they're licensed for 1,823 children.

Short answer

Infant care at a center costs a median $477 a week in Santa Cruz County (2022 prices), $408 at a family child care home. California's child care subsidy, Subsidized child care (Child Care and Development programs), helps pay if a family of three earns up to $93,420. Call ahead: licensed spots aren't open spots.

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 Cruz County

$477/weekmedian for full-time infant care at a center ($24,798 a year) in 2022, before inflation since.

WeeklyCenterHome daycare
Infant$477$408
Toddler$326$335
Preschool$256$314

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of 2022.

36 child care centers in Santa Cruz

Licensed centers, A to Z, with street addresses.

9 school-age programs in Santa Cruz

Before- and after-school and summer programs for school-age children.

How can I get help paying for daycare in Santa Cruz?

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. If your income is at or below the poverty line, Head Start and Early Head Start are free.

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.

Some areasNew families may wait (February 2025)

The highest copay reported for a family of three is 1% of income (January 2025).

How to apply

Sources: California Department of Social Services; National Women's Law Center

Daycare in Santa Cruz: common questions

How much does daycare cost in Santa Cruz, CA?

In Santa Cruz County, full-time infant care at a child care center had a median price of $477 a week ($24,798 a year) in 2022, and preschool care $256 a week. A family child care home charged a median $408 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 Santa Cruz?

California's list shows 45 licensed programs in Santa Cruz as of October 2026: 36 child care centers and 9 school-age programs. Together they're licensed for 1,823 children, though licensed capacity isn't the same as open spots.

Can I get help paying for daycare in Santa Cruz?

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. Santa Cruz also has 4 free Head Start and Early Head Start centers for families who qualify.

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. 1.Community Care Licensing Facilities (CDSS_CCL_Facilities) California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Accessed October 16, 2026.
  2. 2.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. 3.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.Subsidized child care (Child Care and Development programs) California Department of Social Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.California: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-08-21) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 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. 9.Understanding and finding child care in California Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.

Other benefits in California

Having a baby in California Benefits, each with its source, checked October 2026 Pregnancy Medicaid / CHIP 213% / 322% FPL WIC Yes Paid family leave Yes Medicaid pays for a doula Yes See California

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