Preschool Index
Saved (0)List your program

Daycare centers in Costa Mesa, CA

37 licensed programs · median published tuition $1,100 a month · 20 with Google ratings

A daycare center is a licensed facility that cares for children in age-grouped classrooms, usually from six weeks old until kindergarten, for a full working day. Centers are inspected by the state, must meet staff-to-child ratios for every age group and carry a licensed capacity.

Showing 1 to 24 of 37 · parent reviewsTick "Compare" on up to 3 programs
Christ Lutheran School, Costa Mesa
Daycare center

Christ Lutheran School

Costa Mesa · 92627 · 4.8 (26 on Google)
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file3 (1 Type A)
  • WASC accredited
  • NLSA accredited
  • Faith-based
View program
Daycare center

Catalyst Kids Lindbergh

Costa Mesa · 92627 · 4.7 (15 on Google)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file2
View program
Daycare center

Lil' Lighthouse Preschool

Costa Mesa · 92627 · 5.0 (2 on Google)
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file1 (1 Type A)
  • Faith-based
  • sign language spoken
View program
Daycare center

Nobis Preschool

Costa Mesa · 92627 · 4.4 (18 on Google)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file6 (1 Type A)
View program
Mesa Verde Preschool, Costa Mesa
Daycare center

Mesa Verde Preschool

Costa Mesa · 92626 · 4.4 (5 on Google)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file3
  • Play-based
View program
Head Start

Matt Kline Head Start

Costa Mesa · 92627 · 4.2 (5 on Google)
AgesInfant to preschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
View program
Daycare center

College Park Preschool

Costa Mesa · 92626 · 3.0 (1 on Google)
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on fileNone on record
View program
Daycare center

Back Bay Montessori

Costa Mesa · 92627 · No Google rating
AgesPreschool
HoursNot listed
Tuition fromNot listed
Citations on file5 (1 Type A)
View program
0 selected to compare.
Compare side by side

Childcare in Costa Mesa: what to know

How many licensed child care programs are in Costa Mesa?

Costa Mesa has 47 licensed programs on the California register: 37 daycare centers, 0 licensed preschools, 8 home daycares and 2 before and after school programs.

Who licenses child care in California?

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division licenses and inspects child care centers, preschools and home daycares in California. Every profile links to the state record. Licence data on this page was synced in September 2026.

How common are inspection violations at Costa Mesa daycares?

Violations are common and most are paperwork or maintenance items. Across 753 daycare centers in the metro area, the median center has 1 citations on the state file, and 287 centers have none. 176 have at least one rated Type A by the state. California cites a Type A violation for an immediate risk to the health or safety of children, and a Type B violation for a record-keeping or maintenance item. The state file gives counts, dates and regulation numbers, not the inspector's notes.

What does daycare cost in Costa Mesa?

23 programs in the metro area publish full-time tuition on their website. The median starting price is $1,100 a month, and $1,850 a month for infants. Most programs share tuition only on a tour, so ask for the full fee schedule including registration and supply fees.

Why do home daycares show only a ZIP code?

A licensed home daycare is a private residence, and California withholds the address from its public register. The listing shows the licence, capacity and ZIP code. The provider gives the address to families directly.

When should I join a daycare waitlist in Costa Mesa?

Infant rooms fill first because the state allows the fewest babies per teacher. Ask each program how long its infant and toddler waitlists run and whether a deposit holds a place. Home daycares often have shorter waits than centers.

Help paying for care

Most states run a child care subsidy for working families under an income limit, funded by the federal Child Care and Development Fund.

Show programs that accept subsidy →

Nearby cities

Source: Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes data downloads, CCLD Transparency site. Last synced September 2026. Ratings and review counts are from Google.