Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Oakland

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

142 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Alameda County

2022 median

$2,234

/ month

infant

$1,607

/ month

toddler

$1,768

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $833/month).

Oakland has 142 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 Oakland

Advance Day Care Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 80 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Baby Yale Academy Oakland

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 28 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Berkeley Rose Waldorf School

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Betty's Children's Academy-preschool & Child Care

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Boulevard Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Boulevard Little People Preschool Academy Llc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Broadway Children's School of Oakland, Inc.

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 42 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Chatham School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Duck Pond Preschool (the)

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 25 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Ducks Nest

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Ducks Nest - 41st Street

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 80 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

First Covenant Treehouse Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 107 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Gan Avraham Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Gan Mah Tov Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Giggles

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Grace Children's Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Grand Lake Montessori

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 195 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Ile Omode School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Kids Speaking Spanish Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

La Plazita Preschool Iii

Excellent

Child Care Center · Oakland

Capacity: 110 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Oakland

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Oakland?

Oakland has 142 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 Oakland?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Alameda County is about $1,612 at a center and $1,356 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.