Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Hawthorne

Top 19 licensed programs serving children ages 2–5, ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

19 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

68% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Los Angeles County

2022 median

$1,113

/ month

infant

$956

/ month

toddler

$974

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $732/month).

Hawthorne has 19 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 19 by inspection record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

68% 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 19 Preschools in Hawthorne

Al Huda Pre K Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Atherton Baptist Church Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 46 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Crystal Stairs Head Start - Centinela

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Discovery Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 121 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Hawthorne School District Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 160 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

South Bay Universal Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Trinity Lutheran Pre-school & Day Nursery

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 96 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Voa/hawthorne Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 34 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Wiseburn Preschool Enrichment

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 69 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Venice Family Clinic-hawlawn

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Humble Hearts Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 39 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Laep Early Head Start Childcare Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Rising Stars Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 42 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Cann Academy Preschool

Good

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 15 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Jimenez Family Child Care

Good

Family Child Care Home · Hawthorne

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Coalicion De Latinos Americanos, Inc.

Fair

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Crystal Stairs Head Start - Hawthorne Plaza

Fair

Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 116 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Launch Pad Learning

Fair

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 113 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Light of Knowledge Child Care Center

Poor

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Hawthorne

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Hawthorne

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Hawthorne?

Hawthorne has 19 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 Hawthorne?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Los Angeles County is about $1,063 at a center and $943 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.