23 Top Los Angeles Preschools for 2023
Kickstart your search process with some of the top-rated preschools in Los Angeles, CA
When it comes to our kids, sometimes it takes a village -- and today, we hope to become a part of yours. Our team of parents read through 4,128 Los Angeles preschool reviews, so that you don’t have to.
With over 1,608 early education providers in the Los Angeles area, it’s sometimes hard to figure out which one is the best preschool for your child. And, there’s no one-size-fits-all list that works for everyone.
As we read through thousands of reviews together, one core thing stood out: there are so many amazing preschools, teachers, and staff in Los Angeles that genuinely care about their children. They go above and beyond to provide kids with high-quality preparation for elementary school -- and life in general. So many of these reviews just melted our hearts.
Consider this guide a starting point. We couldn’t feature every top preschool in and around Los Angeles, but below are some of the most highly-rated preschools based on parent reviews across the web.
If you have any questions before you dive into specific schools, check out our Common Preschool Questions section below.
Ok, let’s do this!
Next Generation Montessori School
Parent Reviews
According to one parent review, their daughter was literally begging to go to school most mornings after enrolling at Next Generation Montessori School in Glendale. Parents recommend this school for nurturing their children’s growth. Many reviews mention School Director, Mrs. Zara, by name, who helped their kids with hands-on learning based on their child’s strengths and weaknesses. Their gorgeous facilities also came up many times in reviews, which were praised for cleanliness, size, design, and security.
Program Highlights
Boasting a low child-to-staff ratio, the Next Generation Montessori School teaches preschool-age children the core competencies they need to excel in kindergarten, including reading, writing, literary comprehension, and a whole host of other subjects as part of a balanced curriculum. What sets Next Generation apart from the rest of the preschools in Los Angeles is the fact that the curriculum is tailored to each child’s emerging competencies so that the kids’ natural talents are cultivated alongside a traditional educational program. Indoor and outdoor classrooms keep things fun and engaging for the children.
Apple School
Parent Reviews
The Apple School in Van Nuys doesn’t teach you how to fix iPhones, but it will provide your little one with a truly foundational experience that will prepare them not only for primary school but also for life. In all the parent reviews of the Apple School, it’s clear that the variety of extracurricular activities is loved by kids and parents alike. The offered art, yoga, gymnastics, sports, and language classes are all hugely influential to Apple School kids, and parents love that they’re provided at no extra cost.
Program Highlights
The Apple School is an award-winning, family-owned and operated preschool. Founded 14 years ago as a daycare, the school began teaching preschool five years ago. The curriculum includes courses in math, reading and literary comprehension, astronomy, geography, social studies, and science. Additional extra-curricular enrichment lessons in yoga, gymnastics, dance, and music are also included in the cost of tuition. The preschool program has been designed to keep kids engaged and interested while preparing them for their future academic pursuits.
Wiggle & Work Preschool
Parent Reviews
Wiggle & Work is a creative fusion between workspace and preschool, which makes it the most work-friendly, according to dozens of parent reviews. Parents consistently praised the cleanliness and organization of the workstations. Working parents loved the large play area for their kiddos (and how easy it is to see their kids in the play area while they work!), how many staff members are present, and how easy it is to book a slot at any time.
Program Highlights
Focused on learning through play, Wiggle & Work has a robust curriculum that teaches language skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and socialization. Emphasis is put on imagination and creativity. The staff is professionally vetted and certified in first aid and pediatric care. To help with separation anxiety, the school has a policy where parents are always allowed to drop in for a visit. To help with developing social skills, all meals are conducted in a group environment. Snacks and meals are included in the cost of the tuition. Additionally, regular nap times are a highlight of the program.
Westside Neighborhood School
Parent Reviews
Families at Westside Neighborhood School have a common refrain in all of their reviews: this preschool is enriching for their children. They love how invested Westside is in their child’s growth. This growth cuts across the spectrum, from emotional and social growth to increased confidence in learning new ideas. Westside is praised for its ability to push children’s limits with classes like Spanish and Debate and to introduce them to new cultures and more diverse interests.
Program Highlights
Focused on cultivating physical, social, emotional, and intellectual intelligence, the Westside Neighborhood School features an emergent curriculum. Core lessons include math, literacy, social skills, emotional skills, and listening comprehension. The school offers a full-day program with early drop-off and late pickup available, and best of all, there are small class sizes, with an average ratio of 6-8 students per instructor, which ensures that each child will get the individual care and attention they need to thrive. The preschool agenda also features a buddy program with seventh graders.
All Children Great & Small Preschool
Parent Reviews
If fostering creativity is your guiding star, then you should check out All Children Great & Small. Parents with children in this preschool gush about everything from their lovely teachers to the community this school fosters. But creativity leads the way in each review. Parents love how this preschool fosters experimentation using a play-based model. Kids here learn to garden, make pancakes, and stretch their imagination with activities like dress-up and inventive shoe-box creations. Reviews also mention that adult alumni still attend events and fundraisers to help this unique school.
Program Highlights
All Children Great & Small (ACGS) preschool features a progressive learning structure that has been designed to ensure the success of all students in attendance. Creativity, curiosity, and social development form the core of the three-hour daily lessons. What separates ACGS from other schools is that it’s a parent-participation preschool, where each parent serves as a committee member overseeing the education of the children firsthand while participating in various educational activities.
Great Beginnings Preschool
Parent Reviews
With a name like “Great Beginnings Preschool,” it should be no surprise that parents and students find endings so difficult, too. The consensus seems to be this is a preschool that’s tough to leave. Students are said to have loved their time at Great Beginnings, citing the school’s many exciting events and programs. The big fall and winter shows drew praise, both filled with singing, dancing, and acting that stuck with many students and parents. Other reviews loved how frequently the school invited guest speakers like police officers, dentists, and firefighters, who ignited the imaginations and passions of their children.
Program Highlights
Founded in 2008, Great Beginnings Preschool is a community preschool that provides an all-day, year-round early childhood education program for preschoolers. The school emphasizes learning through play and offers both indoor and outdoor play areas. Emotional, cognitive, physical, and social skills are taught alongside a core curriculum that includes lessons in subjects such as art, music, storytelling, reading, writing, and optional Spanish classes. Lessons designed to cultivate both gross and fine motor skills are also part of the preschool program. Outdoor playtime is also a regular fixture.
Busy Little Bee Preschool
Parent Reviews
For parents looking for a school that feels like dropping off your kids with the best grandparents ever, “Busy Little Bee” gets our reward for “Most Like Family.” Parents feel welcome here and often mention how wonderful and caring the staff is. Kids seem to love the homecooked quality of the meals, and parents can’t believe how clean their kids are at the end of the day. Plus, parents loved how they regularly got video and photo updates of their kids having a great time at school.
Program Highlights
One of the only all-day daycare / preschools to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Busy Little Bee teaches an impressive curriculum that includes lessons in important subjects such as reading, writing, art, gymnastics, music, and dance. The program focuses on teaching kids the importance of social and emotional skills that will aid them later in life. Regular naps are included in the daily schedule. Additionally, preschool students will have hands-on lessons designed to teach them motor skills. The program runs from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Friday, and parents are always welcome to drop in and observe the lessons.
Ecole Claire Fontaine Preschool
Parent Reviews
When it comes to non-traditional curriculums with a touch of European flair, it’s hard to beat Ecole Claire Fontaine. Reviewers gushed about how their preschoolers could sing in French (and even understand French-language cartoons) after just a short time at school. Their arts and crafts program was lauded in many reviews, as were the banquet of exciting classes like climbing, calligraphy, chess, ballet, and gardening. Plus, parents seemed to love the status videos sent at the end of each week, which were full of pictures and updates on how their kids were doing.
Program Highlights
One of the only trilingual preschools in Los Angeles, Ecole Claire Fontaine teaches preschoolers in English, French, and Spanish. Daily classes include reading, writing, poetry, music, dance, ceramics, storytelling, and of course, plenty of playtime so that the kids remain interested and engaged. Arts and crafts are a mainstay of the curriculum so that kids can improve their motor skills while having fun learning. Special emphasis is placed on learning the three languages. Classes run from Monday to Friday and focus on teaching the children the importance of collaboration and social skills.
Le Petit Gan International Preschool
Parent Reviews
Le Petite Gan International Preschool, according to parent reviewers, might as well be a little United Nations building in the middle of Beverly Hills. Parents marveled at the truly diverse collection of students from countries like Denmark, Israel, South Africa, and France, just to name a few. Parents praised the amazing teaching philosophy at Le Petit Gan, which includes teaching French and Hebrew. Kids love the menu, which is made up of green, organic, home-cooked meals (with kosher options as well).
Program Highlights
Le Petit Gan is different from most other preschools in the Los Angeles area because of its special curriculum. Using the Reggio Emilia method, the preschoolers learn subjects such as math, art, science, cooking, gardening, landscaping, and caring for animals. Hands-on science projects are also a special feature of the curriculum. Homecooked organic meals are included in the cost of the tuition and are among the best of any preschool in the state, possibly even the country. The program consists of full-day classes running from Monday to Friday.
Delaney Wright Fine Arts Preschool
Parent Reviews
There’s one thing in common in each and every review of the Delaney Wright Fine Art Preschool: just how much this preschool helped their kids learn to flourish. Parents said over and over how much their kid’s communication skills improved and how the school offered a safe space where even the most anxious or shy children felt comfortable and free to express themselves. In their reviews, parents said that Delaney Wright Fine Arts school encouraged their kids to have fun and try out classes like Spanish, Yoga, and Dancing. Plus, everyone loved the portfolio of artwork and photos the school sends home every year.
Program Highlights
At Delaney Wright, students don’t just experience traditional instruction in reading, writing, and math -- they also learn things such as spatial awareness, self-expression, empathy, and fine art. A full-day program, Delaney Wright offers a balanced educational program that prepares the children for kindergarten. Social and emotional skills are cultivated as well so that the kids have the vital skills they need to thrive in primary school.
More top-rated preschools near you
Depending on where in the Los Angeles metro area you’re searching, here are some more of the highest-rated preschools by neighborhood:
Culver City: Sunshine Daydreams Preschool and Treehouse Tots Preschool
East Hollywood: Creative Mind Preschool
Encino: Playhouse Preschool
Mar Vista: Building Blocks Christian Academy
Pasadena: Discovery Days Preschool and Parents & Children Preschool
San Fernando Valley: Dali’s Preschool, Sherman Oaks Preschool, and Valley Village Montessori School
Santa Monica: Cassidy Preschool
South Los Angeles: Little Stars Preschool
West Hollywood: Saint Victor Preschool
Common preschool questions
The first time we had to find preschools for our kids, we had so many questions -- like so many. But don’t worry, we have your back. Here are the core questions that our team pulled together and researched. If there are any others, just reach out and we’ll be happy to help.You can shoot a message over to parents@mybrightwheel.com.
What’s the difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten?
What are my public school options for early education in Los Angeles?
What sort of license should I look for at a preschool in Los Angeles?
How can I get my family financial assistance for child care in Los Angeles?
When do kids start preschool in Los Angeles?
Most preschools start accepting kids around the age of 2.5 to 3 years old, but since every child is different, this isn’t a magic number. Preschool readiness really depends more on developmental factors than chronological age. Read more in our post here.
What's the difference between preschool and pre-kindergarten?
Preschool programs are generally for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Pre-kindergarten is for the higher end of that range, usually for children 4 to 5 years old. Pre-kindergarten is generally timed for the school year directly prior to when the child would enroll in kindergarten. Many pre-kindergartens are also usually attached to elementary schools, so families have a smooth transition to enroll in kindergarten the next year.
Is pre-k mandatory in Los Angeles?
No. Preschool and pre-kindergarten are not mandatory in Los Angeles. Kindergarten in California is mandatory for 6-year-old children, but may be available for 5 year olds depending on their date of birth. You can read more here from the California Department of Education.
What are my public school options for early education in Los Angeles?
For 2 to 4 year olds, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) runs Early Education Centers (EEC) that offer high quality preschool programs. There are 86 of these centers, and most operate throughout the whole year. To qualify, families are typically at or below 70% of California’s median income level. To see all of the locations, and learn more, visit the school district website here.
For 3 and 4 year olds, the California State Preschool Program (CSSP) offers a part-day (3 hours per day) program located at elementary schools. There are 89 locations, and they operate during the regular school year. To see all of the locations and learn more, visit the school district website here.
For 5 year olds, LAUSD offers a Transition Kindergarten (TK) program. This is a full-day program (6 hours per day) that operates during the regular school year, and it is available at all LAUSD elementary schools that offer kindergarten. Enrollment is not restricted to any income thresholds. You can see the full list of elementary schools as well as enrollment instructions here.
What sort of license should I look for at a preschool in Los Angeles?
The qualifications for preschool programs in Los Angeles are regulated and enforced by the California Department of Social Services. Both child care centers (usually a facility in a commercial building) and in-home programs (serving up to 14 children in a home setting) are required to be licensed. There are a few core exemptions, though, and you can see them all here.
How can I get my family financial assistance for child care in Los Angeles?
Paying for child care is expensive, and Los Angeles does provide options for families to receive financial assistance for care. California offers voucher-based child care through CalWORKs, which means that you’ll be able to choose the center for your child -- either a licensed or a license-exempt center in Los Angeles. CalWORKs offers three types of child care payment programs, and you can read more about the eligibility requirements here. The California Department of Social Services website shows the maximum reimbursements you can receive, based on your income and need. For example, in Los Angeles for full-time monthly preschool programs, you could receive up to a maximum reimbursement of $1,253 per month.