Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Palo Alto

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

42 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Santa Clara County

2022 median

$2,283

/ month

infant

$1,614

/ month

toddler

$1,776

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $912/month).

Palo Alto has 42 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 Palo Alto

Amigos De Palo Alto

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Barron Park Childrens Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Barron Park Playschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Bowman School

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 120 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Bowman School Children's House

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Bright Horizons Palo Alto Square

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 15 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Building Kidz of Palo Alto

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 107 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Challenger School-middlefield

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 198 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

College Terrace Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 35 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Cornerstone Mandarin Chinese Immersion School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Covenant Children's Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Discovery Children's Garden

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Downtown Children's Ctr

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 32 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Edgewood House Preschool Llc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

First Congregational Church Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Hope Technology School - Preschool Program

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 16 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Kindercare@work - Downtown Palo Alto

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Learning Links Palo Alto

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 74 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Lilliput Preschool Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 17 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Montessori School of Los Altos

Excellent

Child Care Center · Palo Alto

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Palo Alto

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Palo Alto?

Palo Alto has 42 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 Palo Alto?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Santa Clara County is about $1,581 at a center and $1,336 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.