Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Turlock

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

22 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

85% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Stanislaus County

2022 median

$1,370

/ month

infant

$945

/ month

toddler

$741

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $592/month).

Turlock has 22 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.

85% 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 Turlock

Chatom State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Children's Crisis Center-verda's House

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 14 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Cornerstone Christian Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 36 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Cornerstone Christian Ps- Monte Vista Campus

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Cunningham Head Start/ Turlock Joint Elementary

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Early Education Programs at Crowell

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Early Education Programs at Medeiros

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Early Education Programs at Osborn

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 41 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Keyes Head Start

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 56 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Monte Vista Children's Center

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 145 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Sacred Heart Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 75 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Sacred Heart Preschool

Excellent

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 23 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Turlock Christian School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 100 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Turlock Christian Schools

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 72 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Wakefield Head Start

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 80 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Wakefield State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 48 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Ca State University Stanislaus Cdc

Excellent

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 64 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Turlock Parent Participation Nursery School

Good

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Little Lights Preschool

Fair

Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Sunny Grove Preschool and Childcare Walnut

Good

Single Licensed Child Care Center · Turlock

Capacity: 104 Est. preschool tuition: $650 – $900/mo

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Turlock

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Turlock?

Turlock has 22 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 Turlock?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Stanislaus County is about $764 at a center and $906 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.