Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Richmond

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

31 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Contra Costa County

2022 median

$2,086

/ month

infant

$1,497

/ month

toddler

$1,648

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $795/month).

Richmond has 31 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 Richmond

Contra Costa Co. Child Dev. Center - Crescent Park

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Contra Costa Co. Child Dev. Center - Verde

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Contra Costa Co. Csd - George Miller Iiich.center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 200 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Early Childhd Ed. Srvcs.dba Curious Explorers Acad

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 37 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Early Childhood Mental Health Program -

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 15 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Icri/el Nuevo Mundo Childrens Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 97 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Little Treasures Kids Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 71 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Nomura Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 125 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Nomura Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 90 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Richmond College Prep Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Skytown Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

St. David's School Pre-kindergarten

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Step by Step Preschool, Inc.

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 38 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Wccusd - Chavez School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Wccusd - Lincoln

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Wccusd - Martin Luther King State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Wccusd - Washington School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Wccusd Marie Murphy State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Wccusd State Preschool - Ford

Excellent

Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Ymca - Richmond Parkway

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Richmond

Capacity: 73 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,750/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Richmond

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Richmond?

Richmond has 31 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 Richmond?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Contra Costa County is about $1,509 at a center and $1,260 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.