Child Care & Preschool

There are a lot of child care & preschool programs throughout Santa Barbara. The rates and hours vary. There is financial assistance available for those that qualify.

Children can go into daycare programs as newborns or you can hire a babysitter to come to your house. Figure out which works out best for your family. Think about flexibility, reliability, vacation schedules, socialization with other kids, expense, etc. There is no right answer - you just need to figure out which gives you the most peace of mind.

Most businesses below list the ages they take, whether your child has to be potty trained, etc. If you are looking for a nanny, there are people trained to work part-time, full-time and live-in that do this professionally.

You can find babysitters on our classifieds>> section. Be sure to check references and driving records when hiring a sitter.  The TrustLine Registry>> is a database of nannies and babysitters that have cleared criminal background checks. It is the only screening program for in-home caregivers in the state.  You can  also visit the Megans Law website>> to ensure no registered sex offenders live with or near your caregiver.