Flexible hourly childcare when you need it most.
Play-based childcare while you relax, recharge, or get work done onsite—starting with a free trial for new families. Flexible hourly sessions with CPR-certified childcare professionals.
Carlsbad's premier drop-in childcare with a coffee lounge.
Carlsbad's premier drop-in childcare with a coffee lounge.
Are you a parent who needs a break but don't have a nanny?
Many parents need flexible childcare without losing connection to their kids, especially when school is out, a nanny calls in sick, or you simply need to focus on work from home. That’s exactly what The Lullabar provides.
Born from a simple idea, we created a space where parents can enjoy “me time” while little ones play safely nearby. With premium childcare, a modern coffee shop, and a nail salon all under one roof in Carlsbad, it’s a new way to balance care and self-care.
Our supervised play space is North County’s innovative alternative to daycare and preschool. Parents remain on-site while children engage in enriching activities. Whether you’re sipping a latte, getting a manicure, or catching up on work, your kids are just steps away, safe, happy, and cared for.
Please note: The Lullabar is not a licensed daycare facility. Our childcare model is designed for families who remain on-site at all times. Children must be between 8 months (crawling) and 5–6 years old to participate. Scroll below for the schedule by age group.
Childcare Hours
• Monday through Saturday
• 8 AM – 9 AM (Walkers only – Mondays & Fridays)
• 9 AM – 10 AM (Walkers only)
• 10 AM – 11 AM (Walkers only)
• 11 AM – 12 PM (Crawlers & Walkers – ideal for younger children; best option for crawlers, as longer sessions are not recommended)
• 12 PM – 1 PM (Walkers only)
Childcare Hours Update: Now open 12 PM to 2 PM on Wednesdays for walkers only.
Prebooking future slots is encouraged to guarantee availability.
Born from a simple idea, we created a space where parents can enjoy “me time” while little ones play safely nearby. With premium childcare, a modern coffee shop, and a nail salon all under one roof in Carlsbad, it’s a new way to balance care and self-care.
Our supervised play space is North County’s innovative alternative to daycare and preschool. Parents remain on-site while children engage in enriching activities. Whether you’re sipping a latte, getting a manicure, or catching up on work, your kids are just steps away, safe, happy, and cared for.
Please note: The Lullabar is not a licensed daycare facility. Our childcare model is designed for families who remain on-site at all times. Children must be between 8 months (crawling) and 5–6 years old to participate. Scroll below for the schedule by age group.
Childcare Hours
• Monday through Saturday
• 8 AM – 9 AM (Walkers only – Mondays & Fridays)
• 9 AM – 10 AM (Walkers only)
• 10 AM – 11 AM (Walkers only)
• 11 AM – 12 PM (Crawlers & Walkers – ideal for younger children; best option for crawlers, as longer sessions are not recommended)
• 12 PM – 1 PM (Walkers only)
Childcare Hours Update: Now open 12 PM to 2 PM on Wednesdays for walkers only.
Prebooking future slots is encouraged to guarantee availability.
How to get started
New to The Lullabar? Here's how to begin: We offer a simple, welcoming way for families to experience our unique childcare space. Start with a complimentary one-hour trial session (available Tuesday through Thursday), so you and your child can get familiar with our environment. Then, enjoy one drop-in session to continue exploring how we fit into your routine. After that, you’ll need a childcare bundle to continue booking our services. It's the most flexible and cost-effective way to enjoy consistent care while staying on-site.
New families also receive a one-time 15% discount on any bundle purchase when made immediately after their trial session. It’s our way of helping you get started with affordable, consistent care from the start.
1. Free 1-Hour Trial (Tues–Thurs only)
2. Book a One-Time Drop-In ($25 for 1hr) Text us to book your one-time drop-in!
3. Purchase a Bundle for continued access!
New families also receive a one-time 15% discount on any bundle purchase when made immediately after their trial session. It’s our way of helping you get started with affordable, consistent care from the start.
1. Free 1-Hour Trial (Tues–Thurs only)
2. Book a One-Time Drop-In ($25 for 1hr) Text us to book your one-time drop-in!
3. Purchase a Bundle for continued access!
Book a Free Childcare Trial
What our Parents think
My daughter has been going to The Lullabar weekly for a year, and she absolutely loves it! She’s always excited to see the caregivers, play with her friends, and show me the artwork she creates. It’s the perfect alternative to daycare since I’m not ready for that step yet. Plus, I can get a solid 4 hours of work done while taking breaks to enjoy snacks and cuddles with her in between.
I love this place. My son was not ready for daycare, but I needed somewhere to get my college work done in peace. The Lullabar seemed like the perfect in between for my son before he started going to daycare. We have been coming here every week for a good 6 months now and every time we walk through the door he is smiling and excited. Even though he has started daycare, we still come here because he loves it so much. Again, I cannot say enough positive things about The Lullabar and the staff.
This place is AMAZING!!! 💕💕 It’s like a spa and a bougie daycare all in one! 🧖♀️ My son (who’s generally a bit clingy and doesn’t want me to leave him) was soooo excited to go play in the kids area while I enjoyed a coffee and a lux pedicure with my best friend. 💅🏼 We spent about 3 hours here on our first visit, and none of us wanted to leave! If they offered sleeping quarters, I’d probably move in! 😂 I love this place! 😍 If I could give it 10 stars, I would! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Couldn’t speak more highly of this place. I booked a 2 hour child care for my 3 year old so I could get some work done. SHE LOVES it here. It’s become like a second home. I wish they had more locations!!
My husband and I recently found ourselves in a bind… both of us are juggling full-time jobs and with no childcare in sight we were unsure how we would manage it all. Enter: Lullabar. When you become a parent, people often talk about the importance of building a "tribe." The incredible women at Lullabar have truly become mine. From Alexis’ warm greeting at the front desk to Emma’s infectious energy at the café, every person—from the amazing owners, Stephanie & Christine, on down—has cultivated a space where parents can finally take a moment to breathe, sip their coffee (while it’s still warm!), and even get some focused work done. To top it off, my son absolutely loves coming to Lullabar and always leaves with a big smile on his face. Miss Yukari and the other monitors are so kind and caring, and it truly shows. "Thank you" doesn’t even begin to express my gratitude for this gem of a place—but I’ll say it anyway: Thank you. ♡
This place is absolutely genius! They offer incredible & engaging childcare, which my 3 year old daughter absolutely LOVED and I enjoyed a delicious cold brew from the cafe while getting some uninterrupted work done from my laptop. All the staff members are super friendly & welcoming. My daughter even gave the girl at the front desk a hug goodbye when we left. We can’t wait to come back and I am so grateful to have the option of meeting another Mom for coffee or a coworking session without both of us having to coordinate a sitter.
I love this place. My kiddos love the play area and I love the childcare where I get to work while they are well taken care of. I've also tried the nail service about 6 times and I keep going back because the manicure lasts me so much longer than any other. I can't say enough great things about this place. It's a slice of heaven for both moms and dads.
As a SAHM of a two year old boy and due any day with my second I was so happy to have found this wellness cafe/space for moms. I've come twice since it's opened and my son can't run fast enough to the play room. His face lights up when he sees all the cars and other kiddos! Every childcare worker has been so good with him and i feel like he is truly spoiled in their care while I either study for school or get my nails done. And can't beat the price, only $35 for two hours!! Great for moms and dads who need a break without breaking the bank. My husband has actually encouraged me to keep going cause he sees how happy it makes me to not only enjoy getting out of the house to spend time for myself but also giving our son a fun filled morning or afternoon. I highly recommend this baby/kid friendly space.
