Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Sunnyvale

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

45 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).

Sunnyvale has 45 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 Sunnyvale

A+ Academy

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 27 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Achievers

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

Amazing Creations Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Appleseed Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 96 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Appletree Montessori School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 22 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Building Kidz of Sunnyvale

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 38 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

California Young World # 5

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 104 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

California Young World at Ellis

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

Catalyst Kids - Nimitz

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

Catalyst Kids - Vargas

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

Challenger School-sunnyvale

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 168 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Choo Choo Train Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 18 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Creative Explorers Inc.

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

Cupertino Co-op Nursery School

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

Footprints Early Education Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

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

French American School of Silicon Valley

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Jiae Kim

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $1,150 – $1,550/mo

Little Tree Montessori Intl.school of Sunnyvale

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 188 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Mantra Montessori

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 35 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

New World Child Development Center

Excellent

Child Care Center · Sunnyvale

Capacity: 73 Est. preschool tuition: $1,350 – $1,800/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Sunnyvale

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Sunnyvale?

Sunnyvale has 45 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 Sunnyvale?

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.