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Preschools/CA/Santa Barbara/Santa Barbara Zoo, Early Explorers Ps, The
Preschool / Day Care Center

Santa Barbara Zoo, Early Explorers Ps, The

No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.

Ages
Ages 2–5
Teacher ratio
1:12 (CA min)

500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Visit website ↗(805) 962-5339Directions ↗Licensed for 55
Own this preschool? Claim your listing →

Licensing & safety record

✓ Clean licensing record

No citations or complaint visits on file with state licensing as of 2025-09-29. Last licensing visit: 6/30/2022 (2 total).

Source: California Dept. of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (updated 2025-09-29). View official inspection reports →

About this preschool

Early Explorers Preschool is a play-based outdoor preschool located at the Santa Barbara Zoo that focuses on teaching through rich outdoor experiences. It is the first licensed outdoor preschool in California.

Philosophy
Play-based, early education preschool that focuses on teaching through rich outdoor experiences and offers endless possibilities for exploration and discovery.
Ages served
3–5 years old
Hours
Half Day (8:30 AM – noon) or Full Day (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM); 2, 3, or 5 days a week
Outdoor
Outdoor preschool located at the Santa Barbara Zoo on a seaside bluff overlooking the ocean; children learn and play in outdoor environments including yurts

Programs

  • •Play-based early education
  • •Animal exploration and learning
  • •Environmental education
  • •Social-emotional skill building

Highlights

  • ✓First licensed outdoor preschool in California
  • ✓Located at Santa Barbara Zoo with ocean views
  • ✓Movement and fresh air integrated into daily activities
  • ✓Focus on kindness and social-emotional development

Not stated on their website: Meals, Teacher ratio, Specific curriculum details, Field trips or special activities. Ask the preschool directly.

Summarized by AI from the preschool's own website (Jun 23, 2026). Not written or verified by PreschoolWise — confirm details directly with the program.

Parent reviews

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Listing facts from public CA child-care licensing records. Reviews are the opinions of individual contributors, moderated before publishing; they are not endorsements by PreschoolWise. Always visit and verify a program directly before enrolling.