Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Davis

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

24 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

90% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Yolo County

2022 median

$1,677

/ month

infant

$1,147

/ month

toddler

$1,350

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $652/month).

Davis has 24 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.

90% 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 Davis

Applegate Nursery

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Center for Child & Family Studies

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 64 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Davis Montessori Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 86 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Davis Parent Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Discovery Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Djusd Early Learning Center at Valley Oak

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Gan Haverim Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 78 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Hutchison Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 76 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

La Rue Park Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 80 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Merryhill School

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 196 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Montessori Country Day Ii

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 82 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Peregrine School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Poppy Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Redbud Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

University Covenant Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 88 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Yolo Crisis Nursery Inc.

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Little Friends Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Russell Park Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 80 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Davis Parent Nursery School #2

Fair

Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

L'academy Language Immersion Preschool Davis

Fair

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Davis

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $1,050 – $1,400/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Davis

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Davis?

Davis has 24 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 Davis?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Yolo County is about $1,224 at a center and $919 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.