Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Santa Clara

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).

Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara

Amazing Stars Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Bowers State/district Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 87 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Bright Horizons at Stevens Creek

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 122 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Bright Starz

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

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

Hughes State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Kids on Campus

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Kidsville Preschool & Day Care Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 28 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

L'academy Language Immersion Preschool Sc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 46 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Little Star Basics Learning Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

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

Mca Granada Islamic School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Montague District/state Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Monticello Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 156 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Monticello Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 111 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Neighborhood Christian Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 126 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Pomeroy District Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Safari Kid - Santa Clara

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 50 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

San Jose Nishiyamato Academy Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 66 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Santa Clara Parents Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

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

Scott Lane State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Sparklet Kids Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Clara

Capacity: 110 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Santa Clara

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Santa Clara?

Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara?

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.