Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Poway

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

27 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in San Diego County

2022 median

$1,642

/ month

infant

$1,166

/ month

toddler

$1,051

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $739/month).

Poway has 27 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 Poway

Big Future Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 65 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Capslo Boys & Girls Club Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Children's Preschool & Learning Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 91 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Country Montessori School of Poway

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 142 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Elm Park Preschool Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Hilltop Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 97 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Learning Jungle Poway

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Legacy Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 108 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Midland Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 39 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Montessori Schoolhouse

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Mount Olive Lutheran Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 85 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

North City Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 77 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Pomerado Christian Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 51 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Pomerado Elementary School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Poway Country Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Poway Unified School District - Valley Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

St. Michael's Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

The Learning Treehouse Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Hillside Village Head Start Child Development

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Kiddies Korner

Excellent

Child Care Center · Poway

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,250/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Poway

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Poway?

Poway has 27 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 Poway?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in San Diego County is about $1,070 at a center and $954 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.