Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Buena Park

Top 20 licensed programs serving children ages 2–5, ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

30 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Orange County

2022 median

$1,705

/ month

infant

$1,220

/ month

toddler

$1,099

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $795/month).

Buena Park has 30 licensed childcare providers serving preschool-age children (2–5), combining Child Care Centers and qualifying Family Child Care Homes. California caps preschool ratios at 1:12 (one caregiver per twelve kids). This guide ranks the top 20 by inspection record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

100% of the ranked programs have a clean inspection record with zero citations on file. Each facility's page shows the full inspection and complaint history so you can dig deeper before scheduling a tour.

Programs vary widely in philosophy — Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based, and academic models are all represented. Click any listing to see the teaching style (when the owner has published it), tuition ranges, and the latest CCLD inspection summary.

Top 20 Preschools in Buena Park

Arthur F. Corey Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Bright Learners Academy-holder Elementary School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Buena Park Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Buena Park Learning Center Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Buena Park Lovely Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 29 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Carl E. Gilbert Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Catalyst Kids-knott

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Centralia -state Preschool at (dysinger)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Centralia State Preschool at San Marino

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 100 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Centralia-state Preschool at (raymond Temple)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Cesd-state Preschool (wk)

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Charles G. Emery Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Crescent Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Dream-i in Buena Park

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 86 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

E-plex Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 98 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Evergreen Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Ilove Christian Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

James A. Whitaker Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Limai Montessori Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 163 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Mabel L. Pendleton Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Buena Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Buena Park

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Buena Park?

Buena Park has 30 licensed childcare programs that serve preschool-age children (ages 2–5). This includes dedicated preschool centers and family child care homes whose licenses cover this age group.

What's the difference between a preschool and a daycare center?

In California licensing terminology the two overlap significantly — most "preschools" are licensed as Child Care Centers that happen to serve children ages 2–5 with a structured curriculum. Dedicated preschool programs tend to emphasize school readiness, early literacy, and social-emotional development.

How much does preschool cost in Buena Park?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Orange County is about $1,136 at a center and $1,152 at a family child care home (based on 2022 benchmark data). Part-day and half-day programs cost less.

What should I look for when choosing a preschool?

Look for a published curriculum or teaching philosophy, low teacher turnover, outdoor play space, a clean inspection history on the facility's page, and caregivers who engage warmly with children during your tour. Ask about ratio (state maximum is 1:12 for preschoolers), transition plans to kindergarten, and how behavior and conflict are handled.