Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Daly City

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

27 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in San Mateo County

2022 median

$2,401

/ month

infant

$1,720

/ month

toddler

$1,893

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $964/month).

Daly City has 27 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 Daly City

Adela Sandino

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Daly City

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Amigos De Sf

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 22 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Bayshore Elementary School District

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Centro De Cuidado Infantil Semillas De Amor

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Daniel Webster Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Hope Lutheran Dayschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 170 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Ihsd, Inc-serramonte Head Start Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Imagination Station (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 56 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

J.s.d. State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 104 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

John F. Kennedy Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Khilola Begiyeva

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Daly City

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Little Adventure Children Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Marta E. Mejia

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Daly City

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Milestone Academy Preschool One

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 20 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Naomi Argueta

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Daly City

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Pfs-bayshore 87th Street Cdc (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Pfs-bayshore Mission Street Cdc (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 12 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Pfs-bayshore Our Second Home Cdc (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 16 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

The Latchkey Alternative Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 54 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Thomas Edison Elementary School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Daly City

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Daly City

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Daly City?

Daly City has 27 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 Daly City?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in San Mateo County is about $1,688 at a center and $1,550 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.