Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Irvine

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

55 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).

Irvine has 55 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 Irvine

Bright Horizons Irvine

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 21 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Chai Tots

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Child's World Pre School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 92 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Free Chapel Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 101 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Good Shepherd Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 210 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Great Foundations Montessori-northwood

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 132 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Irvine Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 73 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Irvine Community Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

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

Jenny Hart Early Education Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 97 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Kindercare Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 46 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Kindercare Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Kindercare Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 92 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Kohitsuji Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Leport-irvine Orchard Hills

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 98 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Leport-irvine Westpark

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 126 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Leport-mandarin

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 148 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Little Tree Montessori Int'l School of Irvine

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 288 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Milestones Montessori of Irvine

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 230 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

Northwood Montessori School of Irvine

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

Capacity: 174 Est. preschool tuition: $950 – $1,300/mo

South Coast Chinese Cultural Association

Excellent

Child Care Center · Irvine

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

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Irvine

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Irvine?

Irvine has 55 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 Irvine?

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.