Childcare · Carlsbad
A weekly rhythm your kids look forward to.
Many of our families come three to five days a week, in three- and four-hour blocks. Same caregivers. Same friends. Same playspace — while you get real work done a few steps away.
On-site toddler childcare and a coffee lounge in Carlsbad, built around a routine.
“Lullabar went from being somewhere I could grab the occasional break to somewhere we visited three times a week while I studied for my real estate exams.”
“Theo has become so much more confident and comfortable around new people. He’s more curious, more engaged in play, and enjoys interacting with other children. But the biggest difference we noticed was when he transitioned to daycare. We had been dreading it, yet the transition was incredibly smooth, and we truly believe that’s because he’d already built positive experiences spending a few hours each week at Lullabar.”
Georgina Chaven
Lullabar parent since her son was six months old
The families here aren't visiting. They're regulars.
Something happens when a child comes back on the same days every week. They stop being dropped off and start arriving. They have a spot, a routine, and people they know.
The kids see the same faces until those faces are friends — the ones they ask about on the days you're not here. They see the same caregivers until saying goodbye at the door stops being a negotiation. They learn to share a room, take turns, and settle into a group rhythm, because they're doing it with the same small group of children over and over. Parents often tell us this is what made starting preschool or daycare later feel easy instead of daunting — by then, being dropped off somewhere familiar alongside other children is simply something their child already knows how to do.
Their parents get something too. Three or four uninterrupted hours is long enough to finish real work, not just answer an email — which is why many of our regulars work from home. And because everyone's here on the same mornings, the coffee shop fills with parents who've come to know each other. Consistency is the whole point. It's what makes this work for the kids, and it's what makes it work for you.
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.
Two steps to get started.
Every family starts the same way — a free hour to see how your child does. Many settle into a weekly routine from there.
Free
Free 1-Hour Trial
Get to know The Lullabar with confidence. Schedule a complimentary one-hour trial session to experience our space, routines, and friendly staff firsthand.
Available Tues – Friday
Book Free Trial15% Off First Bundle
Settle Into a Routine
Create your weekly routine and buy the hours to cover it. A 50-hour bundle runs about four and a half weeks at three days a week, at the lowest hourly rate we offer. New families get 15% off their first bundle after the trial.
Best for 3+ days a week
See BundlesWe don't offer ongoing single-session childcare — holding consistent slots for regular families is what keeps the group harmonious.
What a week actually looks like.
Two patterns our regulars use. Build a routine around the days that fit your work, keep it consistent, and your child settles in within a couple of weeks.
Three Days
Mon · Wed · Fri mornings
Eleven hours a week — morning blocks with the same group. Enough of a rhythm for your child to know the routine, and enough runway for you to protect three real work mornings.
A 50-hour bundle covers about four and a half weeks at this pace.
Four to Five Days
Monday – Friday
Nineteen hours a week. This is the pattern for parents working from home full time — your child has a daily routine and a consistent group, and you have a workday you can plan around.
A 50-hour bundle covers about two and a half weeks at this pace.
Slots are limited and age-specific — see the full schedule below, then text us to hold your days.
Ready When You Are
Settle into your weekly routine.
Start with a free hour to see how your child settles in, or go straight to bundle pricing if you already know the days you want.
Childcare hours by day.
Open Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Pre-booking future slots is encouraged to guarantee availability.
Weekly Hours
| Day | Drop-Off Childcare | Parent & Child Open Gym |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM–1 PM | 1–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–1 PM | 1–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–12 PM | 1–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–1 PM | 1–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–1 PM | 1–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 PM | 12–2 PM |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Crawlers Crawlers (not yet walking) can only attend the 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM hour, any open day. Walkers may attend any open hour.
Open Gym Parent & Child Open Gym is a parent-attended play session — not drop-off childcare.
*Saturdays Saturday hours vary — the space is often booked for birthday parties and private events. Text the front desk to confirm before you plan a Saturday visit.
Plan Your Visit
Pre-book to guarantee a spot.
Slots are limited and book up quickly — especially for crawlers and Saturday mornings. Text our front desk to lock in upcoming sessions; we'll confirm availability within minutes.
A peek at the play space.
Sunlit, calm, and built for tiny humans. See the room, the toys, and the routine before you visit.
About The Space
900 sq ft, designed for imaginative play.
Our 900-square-foot toddler play space is purpose-built for little ones — stocked with Montessori toys that encourage focus, creativity, and independent exploration. It's a calm, sunlit room in the heart of Carlsbad, North County San Diego.
900
Square Feet
Montessori
Toys & Materials
Imaginative
Play-Based
Carlsbad
North County SD
Care you can see.
CPR-Certified
Every caregiver on staff holds an active CPR certification.
On-Site Only
You stay in the building — just steps from your child at all times.
Play-Based
Engaging activities, art, and books — not screens.
Woman-Owned
Built by parents who needed exactly this, in their own community.
See It For Yourself
The best way to judge is to visit.
A free one-hour trial costs you nothing and tells you more than any page can. Tuesday through Friday for new families.
Real reviews from real parents.
Verified Google reviews from local Carlsbad and North County families.
“The incredible women at Lullabar have truly become my tribe.”
“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. 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.”
MacKinzie P.
Google Review
“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. The incredible women at Lullabar have truly become my tribe. From Alexis' warm greeting at the front desk to Emma's infectious energy at the café, every person has cultivated a space where parents can finally take a moment to breathe.”
Charlotte A.
Google Review
“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. It's a slice of heaven for both moms and dads.”
Valerie L.
Google Review
“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!”
Dani F.
Google Review
“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. All the staff members are super friendly & welcoming. We can't wait to come back.”
Golden T.
Google Review
Join Them
Your family could be the next one on this list.
Book a free trial hour, or look at bundle pricing to see what a regular week would cost.
Free 1-Hour Trial
Book your free trial session.
Tell us about your week and our front desk will text or call to confirm a slot — usually the same business day. Free one-hour trials run Tuesday through Friday for new families.
- One free hour for new families — no commitment
- Meet our caregivers and see the play space
- 15% off your first bundle if you book one same-day
Or contact us directly
Request received!
Thanks — we got it. Our front desk will text or email you within the same business day to confirm a slot.
Want to skip the wait? Text us directly:
Text Us NowThings parents often ask.
Is The Lullabar a licensed daycare?
No — The Lullabar is not a licensed daycare facility. Our childcare model is designed for families who remain on-site at all times. It's an alternative for parents who want short, flexible care while staying in the building.
What ages do you accept?
Children must be between 8 months (crawling) and 5–6 years old. We split slots between crawlers and walkers to give younger kids a calmer environment — see the schedule above for age-specific time blocks.
Do I have to stay on-site?
Yes. Parents must remain in the building for the entire session — you can be in the coffee shop, getting your nails done, or working in the Focus Room next door, but you can't leave the premises.
How does pricing work?
New families start with a free 1-hour trial (Tues–Friday only). After that, you purchase a bundle. Bundles come in 8-, 16-, and 50-hour tiers and give you the best per-hour value plus priority booking. View bundle pricing →
How far in advance should I book?
Slots fill quickly — especially for crawlers and Saturday mornings. We recommend pre-booking your sessions a week ahead. Text us at (833) 375-5798 and we'll confirm availability fast.
Are caregivers trained and certified?
Yes — every caregiver on our team holds an active CPR certification. Our staff is hand-picked for warmth, attentiveness, and experience with young children.
What about siblings or guests?
We're happy to accommodate siblings on the same booking when space allows. Text our front desk to set it up — we'll find a slot that fits both children's age groups.
Will my child have the same caregivers each visit?
Yes — that's the point of a consistent schedule. Our team is small and our regulars see the same familiar faces on the same days each week. It's the single biggest reason drop-off gets easier.
Can I hold the same days and times every week?
Many of our regulars do exactly that. Text the front desk with the morning slots you want and we'll pre-book them for you. Slots are limited and age-specific, so the earlier you set your days, the better.
How long does it take a child to settle in?
It varies, but children who come on a consistent schedule typically settle within a few weeks — they learn the routine, recognize the other kids, and start to separate more easily. Children who come sporadically tend to restart that adjustment each visit.
What happens to my bundle credits if my child is sick?
Nothing — you get them back. Cancel any time, including same day and last minute, by texting the front desk at (833) 375-5798, and the session goes straight back into your bundle. We made cancellation free on purpose: if it cost you a credit, some families would bring a sick child rather than lose it, and that's how a play space gets everyone sick. You can book same day too, when we have availability. And if a bundle expires with hours left, the remaining value transfers to a Lullabar gift card you can use in the nail salon, the café, or on retail.
Will this help my toddler get ready for preschool or daycare?
That's what many of our families tell us. We're not a school and we don't run a curriculum — but a child who has spent a few hours a week being dropped off somewhere familiar, alongside the same group of children and the same caregivers, has already practiced the part that makes starting preschool or daycare hard. One of our parents put it best: “We had been dreading it, yet the transition was incredibly smooth.”
Still Deciding?
Questions answered — now what?
Try us free for an hour, or see how the bundles price out for the days you have in mind.
Now Hiring
Join Our Team — Nail Techs
We're growing our talented team at The Lullabar, Carlsbad's modern, non-toxic nail salon and coffee shop.
If you're passionate about clean beauty, love making clients feel their best, and want to work in a supportive, women-owned space — we'd love to meet you!
- ●Full-time & part-time positions available
- ●Competitive pay + tips + flexible scheduling
- ●Tools, training, and products provided
- ●Work with vegan, non-toxic, high-end products
- ●Paid time off, sick pay & 401(k) eligibility
- ●Beautiful, inclusive environment with employee perks
Apply now:
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