Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Huntington Beach

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

35 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).

Huntington Beach has 35 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 Huntington Beach

Bright Star Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 139 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Carden Conservatory Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Catalyst Kids-oak View

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Child Development Ctr, Llc

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Christ Pacific Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 93 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Community United Methodist Church Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 84 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Grace Lutheran P.s. Site #2

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 114 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Grace Preschool & Childcare

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Hbcsd-preschool Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 124 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Hebrew Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Jeanne Hardy Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

My First Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 231 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Oka Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Resurrection Lutheran Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

St. Wilfrid's Episcopal Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 138 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Surf City Christian Child Development Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 140 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

The Learning Experience

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 163 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

The Pegasus School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Westminster School District-clegg Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

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

Child Dev. Ctr. Kellie's Academy for Kids

Excellent

Child Care Center · Huntington Beach

Capacity: 84 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Huntington Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach has 35 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 Huntington Beach?

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.