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Preschools/CA/Santa Cruz/Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center
Infant Center

Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center

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Ages
Infants (0–2 yrs)
Teacher ratio
1:4 (CA min)

1738 16th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Visit website ↗(831) 476-4120Directions ↗Licensed for 20
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Licensing & safety record

✓ Clean licensing record

No citations or complaint visits on file with state licensing as of 2025-09-29. Last licensing visit: 7/15/2025 (3 total).

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

About this preschool

Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center is a RIE-inspired outdoor program serving children 12-36 months, established as a non-profit in 1976. The center offers full and half-day schedules with organic vegetarian meals cooked onsite daily.

Philosophy
Based on the Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) program founded by Magda Gerber, emphasizing outdoor learning and development.
Ages served
12 - 36 months
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Outdoor
Two large, developmentally appropriate yards with toddler-friendly garden, multiple climbing structures, heated covered patio, sandbox, bike track, cozy corners, and shade/rain structures.
Meals
Three organic vegetarian meals cooked onsite daily.

Programs

  • •Full day schedules
  • •Half day schedules
  • •RIE-inspired outdoor program

Highlights

  • ✓Model program for childcare recognized by professionals nationally and internationally
  • ✓First of its kind in the Western States
  • ✓Beautifully remodeled and re-landscaped outdoor campus
  • ✓Flexible scheduling options (M-F, T/Th, or MWF)

Not stated on their website: Tuition, Teacher-to-child ratio, Curriculum details beyond RIE philosophy, Enrollment process and timeline. Ask the preschool directly.

Summarized by AI from the preschool's own website (Jun 24, 2026). Not written or verified by PreschoolWise — confirm details directly with the program.

Parent reviews

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Helpful guides for parents

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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.