Ages 2–5

Best Preschools in Ukiah

Top 19 licensed programs serving children ages 2–5, ranked by compliance record, parent reviews, and capacity.

19 preschool-capable facilities

0 top rated

79% clean record

Typical tuition

Average monthly cost in Mendocino County

2022 median

$1,204

/ month

infant

$878

/ month

toddler

$727

/ month

preschool

Median cost at licensed child care centers. Licensed family child care homes typically cost 20-30% less (infant care around $665/month).

Ukiah has 19 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 19 by inspection record, parent reviews, and licensed capacity.

79% 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 19 Preschools in Ukiah

Calpella Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Delia Gonzalez Fcch

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Ukiah

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

Maria Damian Fcch

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Ukiah

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

Mendocino College Child Care Facility

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 57 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Nco Head Start - Child Dev. Ctr. - Peach Tree Ctr.

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 56 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Nco Head Start - Child Dev. Ctr. - S. Ukiah

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 44 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Nco Head Start - No. Ukiah

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 19 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

New Morning Montessori School - Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 45 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Small Wonders Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Tracy Diaz Fcch

Excellent

Family Child Care Home · Ukiah

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

Ukiah Nursery School

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 15 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Ukiah Unified Preschool Center Bilingual Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 24 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Ukiah Unified Preschool Village-preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Yokayo State Preschool

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 30 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Nco Head Start - Child Dev. Ctr. - Nokomis

Excellent

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 60 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Talmage State Preschool

Good

Child Care Center · Ukiah

Capacity: 27 Est. preschool tuition: $600 – $850/mo

Maria(angelica) Alvarez Fcch

Fair

Family Child Care Home · Ukiah

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

Martha Ceja De Lopez Fcch

Fair

Family Child Care Home · Ukiah

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

Reynoso/palmerin Family Child Care Home

Poor

Family Child Care Home · Ukiah

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

Browse all preschool-capable facilities View all facilities in Ukiah

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed preschools are in Ukiah?

Ukiah has 19 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 Ukiah?

Typical monthly tuition for a preschool program in Mendocino County is about $734 at a center and $774 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.