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Licensed Daycare in Salinas, California

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Salinas?

Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Salinas?

California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. We index every state-licensed provider so you can compare options side by side.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$1,800/mo

California avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Salinas

ChildCare Aware reports the California average full-time cost at $1,800/month for infant care and $1,240/month for preschool. City-level prices in Salinas vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. California families may also qualify for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195).

Full California licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division
Infant ratio: 1:4
Toddler ratio: 1:6
Preschool ratio: 1:12
Avg capacity: 68 kids

ZIP codes covered

93901 11 93906 8 93908 5 93905 5

Program types in Salinas

Preschool Program

3 centers

Licensed Group Child Care Home

3 centers

Licensed Child Care Center

3 centers

Infant & Toddler Center

3 centers

Montessori School

2 centers

Licensed Family Daycare Home

2 centers

All Salinas licensed centers

Page 1 of 2

A Before/After School

ABC Academy Bakersfield #387

Salinas

School Age (5+) Cap 76

A Group Care

Active Kids Los Angeles #1259

Salinas

School Age (5+) Cap 15

B Preschool

Bakersfield Little Scholars #385

Salinas

Preschool (2-5) Cap 98

B Family Daycare

Bakersfield Stepping Stones #383

Salinas

School Age (5+) Cap 90

E Preschool

Explorer Kids San Jose #288

Salinas

Preschool (2-5) Cap 58

F Group Care

First Steps Bakersfield #384

Salinas

School Age (5+) Cap 101

F Before/After School

Fresno Learning Tree #676

Salinas

School Age (5+) Cap 72

F Licensed Center

Fresno Panda Kids Academy #679

Salinas

Infants & Toddlers Cap 55

G Infant Care

Growing Minds Riverside #91

Salinas

Preschool (2-5) Cap 23

H Licensed Center

Happy Days Riverside Daycare #93

Salinas

Infants & Toddlers Cap 82

J Infant Care

Jumping Jacks Fresno #677

Salinas

Preschool (2-5) Cap 77

K Head Start

Kids R Us Fresno #675

Salinas

2 years - 12 years Cap 97

L Head Start

Los Angeles Learning Center #1261

Salinas

2 years - 12 years Cap 44

L Infant Care

Los Angeles Little Stars Daycare #1263

Salinas

Preschool (2-5) Cap 59

L Preschool

Los Angeles Playhouse Academy #1260

Salinas

Preschool (2-5) Cap 56

Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.

Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Salinas, California?

Our directory lists 20 licensed childcare centers in Salinas, California, sourced from California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Salinas?

Statewide averages in California run roughly $1800/month for infants and $1240/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Salinas daycares?

All licensed California centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:12 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Salinas typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Salinas?

California families can apply for CalWORKs Child Care + APP (Alternative Payment Program) (intake: (916) 651-6195). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Salinas daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official California Department of Social Services — Community Care Licensing Division search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.