Three main types of child care settings:
Family Child Care Home
Care offered in the home of the provider, who is often a parent. The number of children a family child care provider can care for depends on the ages of the children and whether or not there is an assistant or a second provider. Family child care providers often care for children of different ages, and are licensed by the State.
Child Care Center
A facility that can provide care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children all or part of the day. Although generally larger than family child care homes, centers may be large or small and can be operated independently or by a church or other organization. Child care centers are sometimes called "nursery schools" or "preschools". Child care centers are licensed by the State.
License-Exempt Care
Care provided by a friend, relative, neighbor, babysitter, or nanny in the child or adult's home. This care is not licensed, but in-home care providers can register with TrustLine, California's criminal background check for license-exempt providers.
Choosing Childcare
Campus & Community Childcare Options
The Orfalea Family Children's Center and the University Children's Center provide child care for student, staff, and faculty families within the University community. The Centers provide child care for children aged 3 months through 5 years.
UCSB Recreation Center Youth Programs
We are excited to announce that we have received University approval to once again offer our safe, engaging, and fully outdoor beach and aquatic programs. We are confident in our ability to offer the UCSB Surf & Kayak Camp, Campus Pt. Junior Lifeguard Program and youth swim lessons following all safety protocols and still providing children with the summer enjoyment and activities they so desperately need.
Surf & Kayak Camp and Junior Lifeguards:
Registration open to all.
Youth Swim Lessons:
Registration open to children of UCSB students, staff and faculty ONLY.
As of June 21, face coverings are still required of all visitors to campus.
Children's Resource & Referral Program
This local non-profit offers childcare assistance, search databases, tips for finding appropriate childcare options, and family referral services, with a special emphasis on low income and under-represented children and families.
Bright Horizons Backup Care and Additional Family Supports
Register for free Now: https://clients.brighthorizons.com/UCSB using your UCSB NetID
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Online: Visit https://clients.brighthorizons.com/UCSB. Once you have completed your care profile, visit the home page and click on the blue “Make My First Reservation” button.
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By Phone: Call 877-BH-CARES (242-2737) to speak with a care consultant 24/7.
- Via Mobile App: If you’re fully registered and have used care once before, search “Back-Up Care” in the App Store or Google Play and download the app to reserve care on the go.
Once care is reserved, you will receive a confirmation email. You may also indicate in your care profile that you’d like to receive care confirmations via phone.
United Boys & Girls Club
Year-round youth programs, holiday and summer day camps.
United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County (UBGC) is a non-profit youth development agency and serves children ages 5-18 years old, from 10 locations across Santa Barbara County. Some of the many programs offered are:
- Power Hour
- Summer Spectacular- Nine week summer camp
- College Bound
- Chess Club
- Youth of the Year
- Keystone Club
- Torch Club
- Club 105
- Teen Late Night
- Smart Journeys- Healthy Habits
- SMART Girls
- Passport to Manhood
- Zero Hunger Meal Program
- Culinary Arts for Teens
- Roots to Shoots Gardening
- Notes for Notes
- Ceramics, Pottery and Specialized Art Programs
- Dance and Movement
- Film Camp
- Sports Leagues- Basketball, Soccer, and Flag Football
- Triple Play/Smart Journeys: A Game Plan for Mind, Body and Soul
- Golf- SNAG and First Tee
DepCare FSA
Pretax account for dependent care expenses
If you are employed as faculty, staff, or an Academic Student Employee (i.e. Teaching Assistant, Teaching Associate, Reader, Tutor) or a Graduate Student Researcher, you are eligible to enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) for dependent care expenses. The DepCare FSA allows you to pay for eligible expenses for care of your child or eligible adult dependent on a pretax basis. As a result, your salary is reduced before taxes are assessed, and you pay less in taxes.
Channel Islands YMCA
Santa Barbara Regional YMCAs Child care and after school care
Girls Inc of Greater Santa Barbara
After school care and day camps; Teen and gymnastics programs.