1. St. Paul Early Learning Center
2021 Tara Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
General · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition · Detailed policies
A church-based early learning center in the Tara neighborhood using a developmental curriculum.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Infant · Full-time — $1,102/month
- Wobblers · Full-time — $1,023/month
- Toddler and two-year-olds · Full-time — $1,000/month
- Preschool · Full-time — $926/month
Fees: Registration Fee $200
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Whole-child development in a Christian environment; values of kindness, equity, and putting children's needs first
Ages served: 6 weeks to 5 years
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-5:30 PM
Meals: Included
Potty-training: Not required
Sick policy: Child must be up-to-date and remain current on all vaccines (proof required)
2. The Dunham School Early Childhood Center
11111 Roy Emerson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Reggio · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition · Staff ratios listed
A Reggio-Emilia-inspired early childhood program on the Dunham campus in the Wimbledon area off Perkins Road.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- PreK 2 (10-month contract, Aug-May) · 10-month — $14,510/year
- PreK 2 (12-month contract) · 12-month — $17,410/year
- PreK 3 · Annual — $13,890/year
- PreK 4 · Annual — $14,875/year
Fees: Re-enrollment Fee (PK3-12) $300 · Technology Fee (PK4-12) $700 · Dining Services Fee (PK3/PK4) $625 · Facilities Fee (PK3-12) $300 · New Student Enrollment Fee (K-12) $750
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Inspired by Reggio-Emilia; theme-based early literacy, phonics, math, science, technology, gross motor, plus Bible, music, movement, world languages, and art
Languages: World languages (explorations)
Ages served: Two years old (must turn two on or before August 1) through PreK 4
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:15 AM-6:00 PM; learning activities 8:00 AM-3:00 PM; early care (7:15-8:00 AM) and late care (3:00-6:00 PM) included at no additional cost
Meals: Included
Staff ratios: 10 children per classroom with a lead teacher and an assistant teacher
Potty-training: Not required
Dress code: No uniform requirement
3. A Lil One's Learning Center
13943 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
General · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition
An early learning center on Perkins Road using the Frog Street curriculum for birth through pre-K.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Infants (Perkins location) · Full-time — $245/week
- One-Year-Olds (Perkins location) · Full-time — $235/week
- Two-Year-Olds (Perkins location) · Full-time — $235/week
- Three-Year-Olds (Perkins location) · Full-time — $225/week
- Pre-K (Perkins location) · Full-time — $225/week
Fees: Registration Fee (Perkins location) $150
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Frog Street Curriculum in all classrooms, tailored per age; CLASS Model for social-emotional development; aligned to Birth to Five Early Learning & Development Standards
Ages served: Infants through Pre-K (birth to five)
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 am-6:00 pm; closed weekends
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: Strict protocols for children with allergies/restrictions; parents must notify in advance. Meals per Child Nutrition guidelines and Choose My Plate portions.
4. Jefferson United Methodist Preschool
10328 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
General · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition
A church-affiliated preschool on Jefferson Highway in southeast Baton Rouge.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Mother's Day Out (18 months-2 years), 2 days/week · Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu, 9am-1pm — $2,880/year
- Mother's Day Out (18 months-2 years), 4 days/week · 9am-1pm — $4,860/year
- Preschool (3-year-olds), 3 days/week · 8:45am-1:00pm (optional extended day to 2pm) — $3,042/year
- Preschool (3-year-olds), 5 days/week · 8:45am-1:00pm (optional extended day to 2pm) — $3,870/year
- Pre-K (4- and 5-year-olds), 5 days/week · 8:45am-1:00pm (optional extended day to 2pm) — $3,870/year
Fees: Registration Fee $325
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Christian-based half-day program. Mother's Day Out is loosely structured with play and social/motor skills; Preschool/Pre-K build fine/gross motor, academic, and social skills (letters, numbers, colors, shapes), with weekly PE and music and weekly art for Pre-K
Ages served: 18 months to 5 years
Hours: Mother's Day Out 9am-1pm; Preschool and Pre-K 8:45am-1:00pm with optional extended day until 2pm (half-day programs)
Calendar: Academic year
Meals: Included
5. La Printaniere Montessori School
5064 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition
A Montessori school on the Perkins Road corridor serving children from age 3 through elementary grades.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Primary (Half Day) · 8:30 AM-12:00 PM — $6,600/year
- Primary (Half Day), monthly (Aug-May) · 8:30 AM-12:00 PM — $660/month
- Primary (Full Day) · 8:30 AM-3:00 PM — $7,750/year
- Primary (Full Day), monthly (Aug-May) · 8:30 AM-3:00 PM — $775/month
- Elementary · Annual — $7,950/year
- Before Care · Add-on — $50/month
- After Care · Add-on — $75/month
Fees: Registration Fee (initial enrollment) $550 · Registration Fee (re-enrollment) $450 · Emergency Care $10/visit
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori method; prepared environment; multi-age three-year cycles; Primary cultural studies (Geography, Botany, Zoology, Art, Music, Environmental Studies)
Languages: Sign Language (supplemental)
Extracurricular: Music, Yoga, Physical Education, Gardening, Sign Language, Entrepreneurship, Field Trips
Ages served: 3 years through 5th grade (Primary 3-6 years; Elementary)
Hours: Primary Half Day 8:30 AM-12:00 PM; Primary Full Day 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Calendar: Academic year
6. St. James Episcopal Day School
445 Convention Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
General · Inquire
Why it stands out: Staff ratios listed · Detailed policies
A downtown Episcopal day school whose early program serves children from 12 months through pre-kindergarten.
Fees: Payment plan administrative fee (2 payments) $200 · Payment plan administrative fee (9 monthly payments) $400
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: The Pelican's Nest (early childhood) uses a play-centered, faith-based curriculum; Day School (PreK-3 through 5th grade) offers a rigorous whole-child curriculum
Languages: Spanish (enrichment)
Extracurricular: Music, Art, STEM, Spanish, Christian Education, PE, Library, Guidance, Broadcast; Pelican Plus after-school program
Ages served: 12 months (The Pelican's Nest) through 5th grade; PreK-3 through 5th grade in the Day School
Hours: Early drop-off 7:30 am; regular drop-off 7:45 am; school day 8:10 am-3:05 pm; Extended Care 3:25 pm-5:30 pm
Calendar: Academic year
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: ChefAdvantage food-service provider; students may not bring their own lunch except for medical/religious reasons (physician's note, approved by Head of School). Parents alert the nurse, teacher, and cafeteria manager of allergies/dietary needs.
Staff ratios: 7 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio (school-wide)
Potty-training: Required
Discipline: Aims at internalization of discipline so little external enforcement is needed; parents are partners; a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment
Sick policy: Children showing illness stay home; a student who vomits stays home until 24 hours without vomiting; fever must be gone 24 hours without fever-reducing medication
Withdrawal: Governed by the Enrollment Contract; the school may require immediate withdrawal, with all financial obligations remaining in effect
Dress code: Uniforms required for all students (18 months through 5th grade), purchased at Inka's Uniforms or School Time Uniforms
7. Southside Child Development Center
3030 Valley Creek Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
General · Inquire
Why it stands out: Staff ratios listed
A licensed child development center serving infants through pre-K in south Baton Rouge.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Age-appropriate curriculum focused on music, art, learning activities, and outside play. Nationally accredited by NAEYC.
Languages: Spanish classes included in tuition (Tiger and Teddy Bear classrooms)
Ages served: 6 weeks to approximately 4 years
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 am-6:00 pm
Meals: Included
Staff ratios: Nursery/Infant 4 to 1; Toddler 6 to 1; Pre-K 9 to 1
Teacher credentials: Director holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, certified in Early Elementary and Elementary Education
8. Montessori School of Baton Rouge
8227 Wimbledon Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori program located in the Wimbledon subdivision off Perkins Road in south Baton Rouge.
Fees: Registration Fee $250
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori method with multi-age grouping, a focus on global education, and morning and afternoon work cycles
Ages served: 18 months to 6 years (Toddler 18 months-3 years; Primary 3-6 years)
Hours: Half Day 8:00 AM-12:15 PM; Full Day 8:00 AM-3:15/3:30 PM; before care 7:30-8:00 AM; after care 3:30-5:30 PM
Potty-training: Required
9. The Learning Center
10689 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Play-Based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A play-based early childhood center on Perkins Road emphasizing cooperative play and hands-on activities.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: STEAM-focused with experiments, handwriting techniques, sight words; no iPads or screen time; fresh-food meal program (no pork/processed meals)
Languages: Spanish and sign language
Ages served: 6 weeks to 5 years (Infants 6 weeks-1 year; Toddlers 1-3 years; Pre-K 3-5 years)
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-6:00 PM
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: Accommodations available for children with allergies
Teacher credentials: Lead teachers have Early Childhood Education degrees or are pursuing diplomas; fingerprint/background checks, CPR and first-aid training, 12 clock hours of continuing education annually
Potty-training: Not required
10. Primrose School of South Baton Rouge
10516 Lakes Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Play-Based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A south Baton Rouge preschool blending purposeful play with teacher-guided instruction.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Balanced Learning (child-initiated and teacher-guided, developmentally appropriate); Infant, Toddler, Early Preschool, Preschool Pathways, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten
Ages served: Infant through Pre-Kindergarten (specific age ranges not published)
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-6:00 PM
Teacher credentials: Staff background-checked; all staff CPR and first-aid certified
11. St. Thomas More Early Learning Center
11441 Sherbrook Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
General · Inquire
See the listing for details, then confirm with the school.
A Catholic early learning center near the Goodwood area of east Baton Rouge.
Program details (from the school's own site)Ages served: 12 weeks of age and up
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-5:45 p.m.; no drop-off before 7 a.m.; closed weekends
Calendar: Academic year
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: Peanut and tree-nut free facility. Milk and water provided; center provides morning and afternoon snacks for children eating table food. Parents of children with allergies/restrictions provide all snacks and lunch, plus doctor's notes, Healthcare Action Plans, and emergency medications.
12. Central Early Learning Center
9739 Joor Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70818
General · Inquire
See the listing for details, then confirm with the school.
A Class A licensed early learning center on Joor Road in the northern part of the parish.
First Cubby ranks the 12 preschools it tracks in Baton Rouge by how much verified, published information each one shares — state licensing and inspection records, published tuition, staff ratios, and program details — so you can compare the programs you can actually vet. The order is a transparency ranking, not a subjective quality score; tour your shortlist before deciding.
We order schools by the depth of verified, published data a parent can check: a verified state child-care license with a clean inspection record, published tuition, listed staff-to-child ratios, and detailed policies. We never take payment to rank a school and we never invent numbers — a blank means the school hasn't published it.
5 of the programs here publish their tuition, shown on each listing. Cost varies by schedule and approach; our guide on how much preschool costs explains how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies, TK, and Head Start.