Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in San Francisco

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

396 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in San Francisco County

2022 median

$2,627

/ month

infant

$1,877

/ month

toddler

$2,066

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $983/month).

San Francisco has 396 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 San Francisco

1st Place 2 Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 27 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

A German International Preschool Kinderhaus

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 18 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Abc Pre-school

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 35 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Aiai Zhang

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Akhila Yasmeen

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Alemany Center-head Start (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 18 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Alpha Kids Academy, Llc

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 53 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Alpha Kids Academy, Llc (ps)

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Amigos De Presidio Heights

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 15 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Ana Luisa Soares Da Silva

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Andres Martinez Segovia

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Andy Mo

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Apple Tree Children Center-preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 53 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Au P'tit Monde, Inc.

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Baowen Lu

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Bohdan Stryuk

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

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

Brandy Bishop

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Francisco

Capacity: 12 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,850/mo

Buen Dia Family School

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Building Kidz of Sf-pacific Heights

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Building Kidz on 20th Avenue

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Francisco

Capacity: 20 Est. preschool tuition: $1,600 – $2,150/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in San Francisco

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in San Francisco?

San Francisco has 396 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 San Francisco?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in San Francisco County is about $1,858 at a center and $1,603 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.