Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in San Mateo

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

85 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

100% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in San Mateo County

2022 median

$2,401

/ month

infant

$1,720

/ month

toddler

$1,893

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $964/month).

San Mateo has 85 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 Mateo

A+ Immersion Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

A+ Immersion Preschool Ii

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 90 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Andrea Torres Oliveros & Laura Ramos Arias

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Angella Loi

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Anne Campbell Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 40 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Beresford Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Beresford Montessori Academy Inc.

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Bright Horizons at San Mateo

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Carey School (the)

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Centennial Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Chai Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 90 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Challenge School

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 88 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Creative Learning Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Daisy N. Lopez Guzman

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Diane & Louis Di Bene

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 12 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Eleandra Goncalves De Souza

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 12 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 34 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Gazelle Developmental School

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 34 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

Gloria Jameson

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · San Mateo

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,300 – $1,800/mo

Glorious Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · San Mateo

Capacity: 27 Est. preschool tuition: $1,450 – $1,950/mo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in San Mateo?

San Mateo has 85 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 Mateo?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in San Mateo County is about $1,688 at a center and $1,550 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.