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Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Costa Mesa

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

37 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).

Costa Mesa has 37 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 Costa Mesa

1

Back Bay Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 67 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
2

Catalyst Kids-woodland Primary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 20 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
3

Childs-pace Foundation Inc., the

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 19 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
4

Coastal Children's Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 39 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
5

Frontiers Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
6

Heritage Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 90 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
7

Int'l Christian Montessori Academy of Costa Mesa

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
8

Int'l Christian Montessori Academy of Newport

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 76 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
9

Kids Kastle Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
10

Lil' Lighthouse Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
11

Matt Kline Headstart

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
12

Nmusd College Park Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
13

Nmusd Davis Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
14

Nmusd Killybrooke Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
15

Nmusd Paularino Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
16

Nmusd Pomona Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
17

Nmusd Sonora Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
18

Nmusd Whittier Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
19

Nmusd Wilson Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
20

Orange Coast College Early Childhood Lab School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Costa Mesa

Capacity: 70 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo
Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Costa Mesa

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa has 37 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 Costa Mesa?
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.

Nearby Cities

Fountain Valley
23 facilities
Newport Beach
22 facilities
Santa Ana
150 facilities
Huntington Beach
73 facilities
Tustin
65 facilities
Garden Grove
84 facilities

Related Guides

Best Infant Daycares in Costa Mesa
Ages 0–2
Best School-Age Care in Costa Mesa
Ages 5–17
Best Daycares in Costa Mesa
All ages

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