Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Foster City

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

21 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

95% 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).

Foster City has 21 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.

95% 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 Foster City

Alexandra Atlanova

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Anastasiia Basnina

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Challenge School (ps) Fc Campus

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Dan Yang

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Gabriela A. Barbin

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

Capacity: 12 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Haudy A. Leib

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Kasturi Basu

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Kids Connection

Excellent

Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 180 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Kindercare Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Lilia Zhambalova

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Odyssey Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 142 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

San Mateo-foster City Schl Dist-foster C. Elem

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Foster City

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

Sea Breeze School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 126 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Tanya Gray

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Violet Viruell

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Xiao Qing Xiong

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Yijing Miao

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

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

Peninsula Jewish Community Center Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 211 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Nathany Cris Rezende

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Foster City

Capacity: 12 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Bright Horizons @ Gilead (preschool)

Fair

Child Care Center · Foster City

Capacity: 90 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Foster City?

Foster City has 21 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 Foster 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.