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Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Manhattan Beach

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

20 preschool-capable facilities
0 top rated
75% 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).

Manhattan Beach has 20 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.

75% 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 Manhattan Beach

1

American Martyrs Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 61 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
2

Beach Babies #1

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 29 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
3

Bloom Preschool Llc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
4

Creative Kids

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 117 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
5

Der Kindergarden Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
6

Manhattan Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
7

Manhattan Academy I

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 89 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
8

Manhattan Academy Ii

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
9

Manhattan Country Club Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 43 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
10

Montessori School of Manhattan Beach - #1

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 267 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
11

Piper Preschool at Trinity Lutheran

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 160 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
12

Shalem Early Childhood Learning Community

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
13

First Lutheran Circle of Love Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 125 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
14

La Marina Pre-school

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 51 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
15

Manhattan Beach Nursery School, Inc

Good

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
16

The Academy at Manhattan Beach

Good

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 125 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
17

Beach Babies #2

Excellent

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 153 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
18

Magic Rainbow Preschool

Fair

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 65 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
19

Manhattan Beach Unified Sch Dist.-child Dev. Ctrs.

Fair

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 390 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
20

Journey of Faith

Poor

Child Care Center · Manhattan Beach

Capacity: 165 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo
Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Manhattan Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach has 20 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 Manhattan 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.

Nearby Cities

El Segundo
21 facilities
Redondo Beach
32 facilities
Lawndale
18 facilities
Hawthorne
72 facilities
Torrance
98 facilities
Inglewood
116 facilities

Related Guides

Best Infant Daycares in Manhattan Beach
Ages 0–2
Best School-Age Care in Manhattan Beach
Ages 5–17
Best Daycares in Manhattan Beach
All ages

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