Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Citrus Heights

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

35 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Sacramento County

2022 median

$1,502

/ month

infant

$959

/ month

toddler

$1,128

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $633/month).

Citrus Heights has 35 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 Citrus Heights

Advanced Early Childhood Education Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 47 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Arlington Heights Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Citrus Heights Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 80 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Cynthia Combest

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Janet Holub

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Kingswood Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Lichen Head Start Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Lyubov Samusenko

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Mariposa Head Start Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Sunrise State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 77 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Svetlana Leshchik

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Svetlana Pustovaya

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Vera Lobkov

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Vitaliy & Vera Perevozchikov

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Building Kidz of Citrus Heights

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Jennifer Mahoney

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

La Petite Academy - Citrus Heights

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 77 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Little Friends Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Single Mom Strong - Empowerme Preschool Childcare

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 39 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Angels in Action Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Citrus Heights

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $850 – $1,150/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Citrus Heights

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Citrus Heights?

Citrus Heights has 35 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 Citrus Heights?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Sacramento County is about $1,018 at a center and $844 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.