Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Menlo Park

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

33 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in San Mateo County

2022 median

$2,401

/ month

infant

$1,720

/ month

toddler

$1,893

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $964/month).

Menlo Park has 33 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 Menlo Park

Alpha Kids Academy Llc

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 33 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Avanthi Dilhara Abeygoonesekera

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Menlo Park

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Building Kidz of Menlo Park

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 27 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Hulizar Mishyna

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Menlo Park

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Ihsd, Inc-fair Oaks Head Start Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 86 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Ihsd, Inc-menlo Park Head Start Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 25 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Jobtrain, Inc Child Dev Ctr

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Kirk House Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Little Oak Preschool-menlo Park

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Little Oak Preschool-menlo Park

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Maria M. Espinosa Bueso

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Menlo Park

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Marisol Chavez

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Menlo Park

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Marisol Padilla

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Menlo Park

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Mpcsd Early Learning Center - Oak Knoll Site

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Msd Geokids (preschool)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 62 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Nativity School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 39 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

New Beginnings Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Peninsula School, Ltd

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Pfs- Haven Cdc (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Phillips Brooks Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Menlo Park

Capacity: 67 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Menlo Park

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Menlo Park?

Menlo Park has 33 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 Menlo Park?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in San Mateo County is about $1,688 at a center and $1,550 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.