Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Murrieta

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

28 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

95% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Riverside County

2022 median

$1,752

/ month

infant

$1,031

/ month

toddler

$817

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $652/month).

Murrieta has 28 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.

95% 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 Murrieta

Brookside Academy Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Brown Family Day Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Murrieta

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $750 – $1,000/mo

Calvary Murrieta Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/alta Murrieta State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/antelope Hills State Presch

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 16 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/buchanan Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/cole Canyon Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/e. Hale Curran Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/lisa J Mails Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/monte Vista Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/murrieta Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/rail Ranch State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Valley Usd/tovashal Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Mvusd/early Learning Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 200 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Rcoe-murrieta Head Start State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 71 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Tvusd Alamos Elementary School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Rcoe - Las Brisas Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 34 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

The Learning Experience

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 166 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

The Children's Courtyard

Excellent

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 144 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Murrieta Ranch Preschool, Inc.

Fair

Child Care Center · Murrieta

Capacity: 224 Est. preschool tuition: $700 – $950/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Murrieta

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Murrieta?

Murrieta has 28 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 Murrieta?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Riverside County is about $820 at a center and $857 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.