Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Long Beach

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

122 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% 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).

Long Beach has 122 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 Long Beach

2nd Happiest Place

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Long Beach

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

Bayshore Nursery School, Inc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 17 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Belmont Shore Childrens Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 63 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Bethany Lutheran Church Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 81 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Bethune Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

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

Birney Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Bixby Oaks Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 37 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Buffum Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

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

Bundle of Joy Daycare #3

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

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

California Heights United Methodist Children's Ctr

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 73 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Cesar Chavez Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Child Lane

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 57 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Child Lane

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Child Lane

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 71 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Child Lane

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 18 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Christ Lutheran Pre-school

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 59 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Collins State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 25 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Creative Arts

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 47 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Discovery Preschool at Laucc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 38 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Edison Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Long Beach

Capacity: 57 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Long Beach?

Long Beach has 122 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 Long Beach?

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.