Best preschools in Indianapolis
These are the 11 preschools we track in Indianapolis, IN, ranked by how much verified, published information each one shares — state licensing and inspection records, published tuition, staff ratios, and program details. It's a transparency ranking (the programs you can actually vet), not a paid list and not a subjective quality verdict. Tour your shortlist before deciding.
1. A Learning Bee Academy
4020 N Sherman Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46226
A play-based early learning program on the northeast side of Indianapolis combining play with hands-on activities.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- Infant care · 9:00am-4:00pm daily — $125/day
- Ages 1-2 · 9:00am-4:00pm daily — $125/day
- Ages 3-5 · 9:00am-4:00pm daily — $175/day
- Break care only · 9:00am-4:00pm daily — $75/day
- Before and/or after care · Before care 6:00-9:00am; after care 4:00-6:00pm — $100/day
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: STEM-focused early learning centre combining play-based and project-based learning with social-emotional development. Thematic curriculum spans science, technology, engineering, mathematics, language and literacy, physical development, cultural studies and creativity, and children take part in daily observations while tending gardens and caring for chickens. Families receive daily updates, photos and notes through the Brightwheel app, and the school holds four parent conference opportunities each year.
Ages served: 6 weeks to 12 years - infant care, toddler care, preschool, and before/after care for school-aged children
Hours: Open 6:00am-6:00pm Monday-Friday, with structured learning time 9:00am-4:00pm; before care 6:00-9:00am and after care 4:00-6:00pm
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: The school states healthy and nutritious food is given to the children daily, families may also send food from home, and allergies and special diets are accommodated
Staff ratios: Infants 4:1, toddlers 5:1, early pre-K 12:1, pre-K 15:1, school-aged 20:1
Teacher credentials: All staff are CPR and First Aid certified; teachers complete an 8-week Indiana NAEYC-aligned training programme and hold the Child Development Associate credential with 120 hours of early childhood education coursework; staff take 20 hours of annual professional development
2. Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative
3030 Kessler Blvd East Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46220
A parent cooperative preschool on the north side of Indianapolis.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- 2/3 class · Tue & Thu 9:30-11:30am, or Mon & Fri 9:30-11:30am — $84/month
- 3/4 class · Tue & Thu 9:30-11:45am — $91/month
- 3/4 class with Enrichment · Tue & Thu 9:30-11:45am plus optional extended day Thu 11:45am-1:30pm — $136/month
- 4/5 class · Mon 9:30-11:45am, Wed 9:30am-1:30pm, Fri 9:30-11:45am — $128/month
- 4/5 class with Enrichment · Mon/Wed/Fri with optional extended day Mon 11:45am-1:30pm — $173/month
Fees: Registration fee $60 · Supply fee (varies by class) $40-$70 · ICPC training fee (new families only) $25
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Parent-run cooperative, play-based - the school's stated philosophy is that "play is the 'work' of children" and that parents and children learn together through play. The daily routine is free play with large and small motor activities, circle time, snack and outdoor play. Snack is provided by the co-oping parent on duty, and extended/enrichment days require a packed lunch. Co-op duty frequency is set by class: 2/3s parents once every four weeks, 3/4s once every three weeks, 4/5s once every two weeks. The school has served Indianapolis families for over 65 years.
Ages served: Approximately 2 through 5 years - classes are grouped 2/3, 3/4 and 4/5
Hours: Morning classes 9:30-11:30am (2/3) and 9:30-11:45am (3/4, 4/5); Wed 4/5 class runs 9:30am-1:30pm; optional extended days run to 1:30pm
Calendar: Academic year
Meals: Not included — families provide food
3. Downey Cooperative Preschool
111 S Downey Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219
A parent cooperative, play-based preschool in the Irvington district on the east side of Indianapolis.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- Lily Pads Stay-and-Play (18-24 months) · Mondays 9:00-10:30am, fall/winter/spring sessions — $85/8-week session
- Tadpoles (2 by Sept 1) · Wed & Fri OR Tue & Thu, 9:15-11:15am — $99.75/month
- Polliwogs (3 by Sept 1) · Tue & Thu, 9:00-11:30am — $110.25/month
- Frogs (4 by Sept 1) · Mon 9:00am-1:00pm; Wed & Fri 9:00-11:30am — $144.33/month
- Leapfrogs Kindergarten (5 by Sept 1) · Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — $325/month
Fees: Registration fee (per student, at registration) $70 · Activity fee (per student, charged in Spring) $75
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Parent-run cooperative, play-based ("Learning Through Play"); heavy outdoor emphasis - older classes outdoors in all safe weather, neighbourhood nature hikes and walking field trips, and a monthly Forest Kindergarten day at Southeastway Park for the Leapfrogs class
Ages served: 18 months through kindergarten (5-6) - Lily Pads 18-24 months, Tadpoles 2, Polliwogs 3, Frogs 4, Leapfrogs Kindergarten 5
Hours: Classes run mornings, 9:00-11:30am for most classes; Frogs Mondays run 9:00am-1:00pm
Calendar: Academic year
Teacher credentials: Teachers are the school's only paid staff; all other functions are covered by parent volunteers
Potty-training: Not required
4. Meridian Hills Cooperative Nursery School & Kindergarten
7171 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46240
A parent cooperative nursery school and kindergarten on the north side of Indianapolis.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- Finches (age 2) · Monday OR Friday, 9-11:30am (1 day) — $73/month
- Finches (age 2) · Monday AND Friday, 9-11:30am (2 day) — $121/month
- Chickadees (age 3) · Tuesdays 9am-12:30pm and Thursdays 9-11:30am — $138/month
- Robins (age 4) · Monday & Friday 9-11:30am and Wednesdays 9am-1pm — $203/month
- Kinderbirds (age 5) · Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9am-2pm — $315/month
Fees: Application fee (one-time, nonrefundable) $25 · Enrollment fee (yearly, refundable if no class space) $40 · Cooperative parent training fee (families new to co-op) $25 · Background check fee $17.95
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Nonprofit cooperative where teachers and parents work together; child-led and play-based - the school states it aims to "be reactors to children, not judges of children" and to let children grow according to their individual timetables, building knowledge through interaction with materials and each other. Established 1960
Ages served: Ages 2 through 5 (part-time kindergarten) - Finches 2, Chickadees 3, Robins 4, Kinderbirds 5
Hours: Morning classes 9-11:30am; Chickadees Tuesdays to 12:30pm; Robins Wednesdays to 1pm; Kinderbirds 9am-2pm
Calendar: Academic year
5. Parkview Cooperative Preschool
4701 Central Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205
A parent-run cooperative preschool in the Meridian-Kessler area of Indianapolis emphasizing learning through play.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- Froggies (ages 2-3) · Monday & Wednesday 9:35am-12:05pm — $123/month
- Turtles (ages 3-4) · Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:35am-12:05pm — $156/month
- Caterpillars (ages 4-5) · Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9:35am-12:05pm — $156/month
- Extended Day (optional add-on) · Monday 12:05-2:05pm — $52.50/month
- Afternoon Enrichment (optional add-on) · Wednesday 12:05-2:05pm — $52.50/month
- Afternoon Enrichment (optional add-on) · Friday 12:05-2:05pm — $52.50/month
Fees: Enrollment fee (non-refundable; covers supplies, field trips and more for the school year) $100 · New parent orientation fee (charged when a new member attends the required orientation) $25
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Play-based cooperative preschool - the school describes itself as "Learn Through PlaY" with an emphasis on social skills and child development. In its cooperative model parents and caregivers work alongside trained professional teachers during the school day, and the school is member-led, so every family has a voice and a stake in operating it. Three classes (Froggies, Turtles, Caterpillars), each with its own teacher, traditions and routines, plus multi-age collaborative experiences.
Ages served: 2 through 5 years - Froggies 2-3, Turtles 3-4, Caterpillars 4-5
Hours: Classes run 9:35am-12:05pm; optional extended day and afternoon enrichment run 12:05-2:05pm
Calendar: Academic year
6. The Children's House
2404 W 62nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46268
A Montessori-based school on the northwest side of Indianapolis serving preschool through elementary ages.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- All-day Montessori Preschool · 9am-3pm — $6,300/year
- Part-time Montessori Preschool · 2 full days per week, 9am-3pm — $3,450/year
- Part-time Montessori Preschool · 3 full days per week, 9am-3pm — $4,400/year
- Part-time Montessori Preschool · 4 full days per week, 9am-3pm — $5,340/year
- Elementary and Middle School (ages 5-14) · 9am-3pm — $7,300/year
- Extended Day Program · regular daily use, available 7:00am-5:30pm — $1,500/year per child
- Extended Day Program · hourly use — $20/hour per child
Fees: Registration fee $100 · Workday deposits $200 · Field trip fee (full-time programs) $200 · Field trip fee (part-time preschool) $80, $120 or $160/yr by days enrolled · Material fee (elementary/middle) $200
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Modified Montessori ("organic education"); multi-age grouping, hands-on materials, no letter grades - progress tracked by teacher observation; weekly all-school meetings run democratically
Ages served: Preschool ages 3-5; ungraded Elementary/Middle ages 5-14 (through 8th grade); summer enrichment program
Hours: School hours 9am-3pm; Extended Day Program available 7:00am-5:30pm
Teacher credentials: Preschool teacher certified through the North American Montessori Center (2010)
7. A Children's Habitat Montessori School
801 W 73rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46260
A long-established Montessori school on the north side of Indianapolis serving toddlers through elementary ages.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)
- Toddler (18 months-3 years) · 3-day option, Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30am — $6,490 ($649/month)/year
- Toddler (18 months-3 years) · 5-day option, Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30am — $10,816 ($1,081.60/month)/year
- Primary (3-6 years) · 12:30pm dismissal — $9,379 ($937.90/month)/year
- Primary (3-6 years) · 3:00pm dismissal — $11,727 ($1,172.70/month)/year
- Lower Elementary (6-9 years) · Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:00pm — $11,842 ($1,184.20/month)/year
- Upper Elementary (9-12 years) · Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:00pm — $11,958 ($1,195.80/month)/year
- Aftercare (3-12 years) · Mon-Fri 3:00-5:30pm, drop-in or routine — $18/day
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori, to American Montessori Society (AMS) standards
Ages served: 18 months to 12 years - Toddler (18 months-3), Primary (3-6), Lower Elementary (6-9), Upper Elementary (9-12), Aftercare (3-12)
Hours: Toddler 8:30-11:30am; Primary 8:30am-3:00pm (12:30pm dismissal option); Lower and Upper Elementary 8:30am-3:00pm; Aftercare 3:00-5:30pm
8. International Montessori School
2150 W 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260
A Montessori school on the north side of Indianapolis serving preschool through lower elementary.
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori methodology - hands-on work with purposeful materials; culturally diverse curriculum. School established 2004
Languages: English plus weekly Spanish lessons taught by a native Spanish speaker
Extracurricular: Music lessons, art lessons, physical education, Spanish lessons, current-affairs discussions
Ages served: Ages 3-9 - Pre-Kindergarten (3-6), Kindergarten (typically 6-7), Lower Elementary (6-9, grades 1-3)
Hours: Facility Mon-Fri 07:00-18:00. Pre-Kindergarten 9:00am-12:00 noon; Kindergarten 9:00am-3:00pm (five days/week); Lower Elementary 9:00am-3:15pm
Staff ratios: Preschool and kindergarten child-to-adult ratio 12:1 or 10:1; Lower Elementary one teacher to a maximum of ten students
9. Fall Creek Montessori
7770 E 88th St, Indianapolis, IN 46256
A Montessori program on the northeast side of Indianapolis serving infants through the primary years.
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori Method - Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Science and Culture; highly individualized, most lessons given one-on-one
Ages served: 6 weeks through 6 years - Nido (6 weeks-18 months), Toddler (18 months-3 years), Primary (3-6 years, incl. Kindergarten); summer program. Half-day and full-day options, two to five days per week; Kindergartners must attend a full-day program
Hours: Primary half day 9am-12pm; extended day 12pm-3:30pm (includes lunch); before-school care from 7am; after-school care 3:30pm-5:30pm
Meals: Included
10. The Sapling School
921 E 66th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220
A Reggio-inspired preschool on the north side of Indianapolis serving children ages 3 to 5.
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Reggio-inspired, nature-based; four focus areas - curriculum, environment, documentation and relationships; emphasis on relationship building and honoring children
Ages served: Ages 2 to 5. Full-time (Monday-Friday) or part-time (Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Tuesday/Thursday)
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-6:00pm; closed Saturday and Sunday
Calendar: Year-round
11. Village Montessori
6185 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
A Montessori school in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis serving ages 2.5 to 6.
How we ranked these
Schools rise on this list when they publish information a parent can check: a verified state child-care license with a clean inspection record, published tuition (7 here do), 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, not that it scored zero. Read more about how to check a preschool's license and what to ask on a tour.
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Every program we track in Indianapolis, with tuition, licensing, and approach.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best preschools in Indianapolis?
First Cubby ranks the 11 preschools it tracks in Indianapolis 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.
How does First Cubby rank preschools?
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.
How much do the best preschools in Indianapolis cost?
7 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.
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