Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Santa Clarita

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

21 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

80% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Los Angeles County

2022 median

$1,113

/ month

infant

$956

/ month

toddler

$974

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $732/month).

Santa Clarita has 21 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.

80% 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 Clarita

Aghasaryan Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Boktor Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Bouquet Canyon Early Learning Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Congregation Beth Shalom

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 96 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Khachikyan Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Magic Carousel Montessori Preschool 2

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Martirosyan Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Mirzaian Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Montessori of Santa Clarita

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 90 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Montessori on Copper Hill

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 143 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Poghosyan Family Child Care

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $800 – $1,100/mo

Santa Clarita Head Start Volunteers of America

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 68 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Skyline Academy

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 20 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

The Play Place Early Learning Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 37 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

The Learning Experience

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 127 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Guidepost Montessori at Plum Canyon

Excellent

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 96 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Stepping Stones Children's Center

Good

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 71 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Tutor Time Child Care Learning Centers

Good

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 112 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Creative Years Nursery School

Good

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 187 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

Guidepost Montessori at Copper Hill

Fair

Child Care Center · Santa Clarita

Capacity: 126 Est. preschool tuition: $900 – $1,200/mo

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita has 21 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 Clarita?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Los Angeles County is about $1,063 at a center and $943 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.