Preschools in Columbus
12 preschools near Columbus, OH, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.
Montessori Children's House
A Montessori school in the Fifth by Northwest/King Avenue area near Grandview, offering hands-on, self-paced learning.
Columbus Montessori Education Center
A Montessori education center on the east side of Columbus emphasizing a multi-year classroom cycle.
St. Joseph Montessori School
A Catholic Montessori school in the Italian Village neighborhood between Ohio State and downtown.
Community Montessori Columbus
A nonprofit Montessori preschool and kindergarten on the north side of Columbus.
Northside Montessori School
A Montessori preschool for young children in the far north Columbus area.
Villa Montessori Preschool
A Montessori and Reggio-inspired preschool in the Polaris area of north Columbus.
Overbrook Preschool
A play-based, child-centered weekday preschool in the Clintonville neighborhood.
First Community Preschool
A church-affiliated play-based preschool near the Marble Cliff/Grandview area following Ohio Early Learning standards.
Indianola Children's Center
A nonprofit church-based children's center in the University District emphasizing outdoor education and creative play.
Gan Ephraim
An Orthodox Jewish preschool in the Bexley area with a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum.
Bright Horizons at Capital City
An early education and child care center in downtown Columbus serving infants through pre-K.
Primrose School of Columbus Downtown
An accredited early education and child care center in downtown Columbus serving infants through pre-K.
Preschool approaches in Columbus
The programs listed here include Montessori, play-based and Reggio Emilia. New to the differences? Compare Montessori vs. play-based, read what children learn in preschool, or browse all our guides.
Montessori preschools in Columbus
6 of the programs listed above are Montessori preschools — child-led, mixed-age classrooms with hands-on materials and long, focused work periods. New to the method? Read what Montessori is, compare Montessori vs. play-based, and see how much Montessori costs.
How much does preschool cost in Columbus?
Preschool tuition in Columbus depends on the program, the schedule (half-day vs. full-day), and the approach — Montessori and full-day private programs usually cost more than part-time or co-op options. Where a school publishes pricing it's shown on its listing above; otherwise ask the school for a current quote. Our guide on how much preschool costs shows how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies, TK, and Head Start that can lower it.
Guides for your preschool search
Preschools near Columbus
Frequently asked questions
What preschool approaches are available in Columbus?
First Cubby lists Montessori, play-based and Reggio Emilia programs in Columbus, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.
How much is preschool tuition in Columbus?
Preschool tuition in Columbus varies widely by program, schedule (half- vs. full-day), and approach — Montessori and full-day private programs typically cost more. Pricing is shown on a listing where the school publishes it; otherwise contact the school. Our guide on how much preschool costs explains how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies and free options.
Are there Montessori preschools in Columbus?
Yes — 6 Montessori programs are listed in Columbus above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.
Are the preschools in Columbus private?
Most standalone preschools in Columbus are private (tuition-based). Free and lower-cost options can exist too — Transitional Kindergarten, state pre-K, and Head Start — which our guides on preschool cost and how to afford preschool explain.
How do I choose a preschool in Columbus?
Shortlist nearby schools, then tour your top choices. Our guides on how to choose a preschool and the questions to ask on a tour walk you through it step by step.
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