Every daycare in the Sacramento daycare directory holds a California child care license, checked against the state's live record when it was listed; 126 records the state shows as closed were left out. There are 703 in all: 347 family child care homes, 250 child care centers, 58 infant centers and 48 school-age centers. Most listings do not post tuition, so call ahead for openings and prices.
Which license fits which age
- Infant centers are licensed for babies and toddlers.
- Child care centers are licensed for preschoolers, roughly 2 to 5.
- School-age centers run before and after school and on school breaks.
- Family child care homes care for a small group in the provider's home, often mixing ages. The state does not publish home addresses, so homes list by neighborhood only.
By neighborhood
- Natomas and North Sacramento (95833, 95834, 95835, 95838, 95815): 139 licensed sites, including 81 family homes and 8 infant centers.
- South Sacramento, Meadowview and Florin (95823, 95824, 95828, 95832, 95829): 146 sites, the most in the city, with 52 centers and 11 infant centers.
- Land Park, Pocket and Greenhaven (95818, 95822, 95831): 57 sites, mostly centers.
- Downtown, Midtown and East Sacramento (95811, 95814, 95816, 95817, 95819): 52 sites, almost all centers, and the most infant centers (13).
- Arden-Arcade (95821, 95825, 95864): 72 sites, 39 of them family homes.
- Tahoe Park and Rosemont (95820, 95826, 95827): 58 sites.
- Foothill Farms, North Highlands and Rio Linda (95841, 95842, 95660, 95673, 95652): 77 sites, 57 of them family homes.
- Carmichael (95608): 47 sites. Fair Oaks (95628): 37. Orangevale (95662): 18.
The largest infant centers
- Bright Path to Learning CDC on Folsom Blvd: licensed for up to 60 babies.
- Associated Students CSUS Children's Center on J Street: up to 57.
- Mindful Moments on N Street downtown: up to 56.
- Milestones Child Development Center on O Street: up to 43.
- Encina Early Head Start on Bell Street and SETA Hiram Johnson Head Start on 65th Street: up to 40 each. Head Start programs have income eligibility, so ask how to apply.
Before and after school
Many Sacramento City Unified elementary schools host a licensed school-age program on campus. The largest are run by 4th R: Phoebe Hearst (up to 200 kids), and Caleb Greenwood, Crocker Riverside, Sutterville, Genevieve Didion and Two Rivers (up to 150 each). For free options, see free after-school programs in Sacramento.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many licensed daycares are in Sacramento?
703 in the Sacramento listings, counting Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, North Highlands and Rio Linda: 347 family child care homes, 250 child care centers, 58 infant centers and 48 school-age centers.
How do I know a Sacramento daycare is licensed?
Every listing here was checked against the California Department of Social Services license record when it was added. Records the state lists as closed, 126 of them, were left out.
What is the difference between a daycare center and a family child care home?
A center runs in a commercial or school building with several classrooms. A family child care home is licensed for a small group in the provider's own home, often with mixed ages.
Where can I find infant care in Sacramento?
58 licensed infant centers are listed. Downtown, Midtown and East Sacramento have the most (13), followed by South Sacramento (11) and Natomas (8).