1. Marina Montessori School
2301 Ximeno Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition
A Montessori school on Ximeno Avenue in east Long Beach.
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State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 45 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 3/27/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 198002033. The state publishes counts and outcomes, not the allegation text — request the full report from CDSS with the control number.
How to read this record →Published tuition (from the school's own site)- 3 days/week · 9:00 am-3:00 pm — $890/month
- 3 days/week, full day · 7:00 am-6:00 pm — $1,250/month
- 4 days/week · 9:00 am-3:00 pm — $1,040/month
- 4 days/week, full day · 7:00 am-6:00 pm — $1,560/month
- 5 days/week · 9:00 am-3:00 pm — $1,190/month
- 5 days/week, full day · 7:00 am-6:00 pm — $1,780/month
Fees: Enrollment fee (due with application) $100 · Late pick-up after 6:00 pm $5 per minute
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori method, concrete-to-abstract; Language Arts, Phonics, Math
Languages: Spanish language and culture
Extracurricular: Dance, Art, Music
Ages served: 2 to 9 years
Hours: Core 9:00 am-3:00 pm; 3-hour extended daycare option; full day 7:00 am-6:00 pm
Withdrawal: No refunds for absences due to illness or vacation; tuition due the 1st of each month; no adjustment for school holidays
2. Parkcrest Preschool
5950 Parkcrest St, Long Beach, CA 90808
Preschool · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) · Published tuition · Detailed policies
A church-affiliated preschool on Parkcrest Street in the Carson Park area of Long Beach.
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State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 90 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 2 minor · 2 substantiated complaints · last inspected 1/23/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 191602162. The state publishes counts and outcomes, not the allegation text — request the full report from CDSS with the control number.
How to read this record →Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Core Program (2-Day) · Tue & Thu, 9:00am-1:00pm — $345/month
- Core Program (3-Day) · Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:00am-1:00pm — $463/month
- Core Program (5-Day) · Mon-Fri, 9:00am-1:00pm — $633/month
- Early Start add-on (5-Day) · 8:00am-9:00am — $82/month
- Stay & Play add-on (5-Day) · 1:00pm-4:00pm — $165/month
- Summer Sessions · Mon-Thu, 9:00am-1:00pm — $135/week
Fees: Registration fee (new students) $150 · Registration fee (returning students) $100
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Intentional learning: structured, developmentally appropriate academics with hands-on, teacher-guided experiences; early literacy, math, social-emotional growth; Christ-centered with Bible lessons, science, and creative arts
Ages served: 2 years, 9 months through entry into Kindergarten (summer sessions from 2 years, 6 months)
Hours: Core 9:00am-1:00pm; optional Early Start 8:00am-9:00am; optional Stay & Play 1:00pm-4:00pm; 2/3/5-Day options
Allergy policy: Works with families to accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions; may provide allergy-safe alternatives or ask families to supply allergy-safe snacks
Potty-training: Required
Sick policy: Children who are ill should remain home until symptom-free
3. Little Owl School
3426 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Reggio-inspired · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition
A Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool on Linden Avenue in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood.
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State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 117 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 2/6/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 198015461. The state publishes counts and outcomes, not the allegation text — request the full report from CDSS with the control number.
How to read this record →Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Acorn Room (2-year-olds), Half Day · 8:00 am-12:00 pm, 5 days/week — $1,446/month
- Acorn Room (2-year-olds), Full Day · 8:00 am-4:00 pm, 5 days/week — $2,250/month
- Seedling Room (3-year-olds), Full Day · 8:00 am-4:00 pm, 5 days/week — $2,196/month
- Oak & Olive Rooms (3.4-4+ years), Half Day · 8:00 am-12:00 pm, 5 days/week — $1,446/month
- Oak & Olive Rooms (3.4-4+ years), Full Day · 8:00 am-4:00 pm, 5 days/week — $2,196/month
- Optional Aftercare · 4:00-5:00 pm — $276/month
Fees: Application fee (one-time) $100 · Annual registration fee $225 · Annual materials fee $375
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Reggio Emilia-inspired; anti-bias, humanistic education; environment as the 'third teacher'; child-centered project work
Extracurricular: Wise Owls (school-age program)
Ages served: 2 years through 4+ years (by September of the enrollment year)
Hours: Open 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Mon-Fri; core program 8:00 am-4:00 pm; optional aftercare 4:00-5:00 pm
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: Nut-free environment; menu planning considers students' food allergies and special needs
4. Los Altos United Methodist Preschool
5950 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90815
Preschool · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition
A church-affiliated preschool on East Willow Street in the Los Altos neighborhood of Long Beach.
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State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 50 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 10/10/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 191602056. The state publishes counts and outcomes, not the allegation text — request the full report from CDSS with the control number.
How to read this record →Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Preschool (2 days) · Tue/Thu, 9:00am-1:00pm — $400/month
- Preschool (3 days) · Mon/Wed/Fri, 9:00am-1:00pm — $560/month
- Preschool (5 days) · Mon-Fri, 9:00am-1:00pm — $765/month
- All Day (2 days) · Tue/Thu, 7:00am-5:30pm — $520/month
- All Day (3 days) · Mon/Wed/Fri, 7:00am-5:30pm — $695/month
- All Day (5 days) · Mon-Fri, 7:00am-5:30pm — $965/month
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Learning through play: circle time, creative art, dramatic play, language/library, math/manipulatives, music/movement, outdoor exploration, science/sensory, and weekly praise time
Extracurricular: Weekly praise time
Hours: Preschool 9:00am-1:00pm; All Day 7:00am-5:30pm; Monday-Friday
Potty-training: Not required
5. Bethany Lutheran Preschool
5100 E Arbor Rd, Long Beach, CA 90808
Preschool · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition · Staff ratios listed · Detailed policies
A church-affiliated preschool on Arbor Road in the Lakewood Village area of Long Beach.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Part-Time, 3 days (1st child) · 8:30am-12:00 noon — $5,250/year
- Part-Time, 5 days (1st child) · 8:30am-12:00 noon — $7,150/year
- Full-Day, 3 days (1st child) · 7:00am-5:30pm — $7,150/year
- Full-Day, 5 days (1st child) · 7:00am-5:30pm — $10,100/year
Fees: Registration fee (annual; materials, supplies, yearbook, t-shirt, curricular items, $10 Disaster Supply Fee) $225 · Diaper changing fee for non-toilet-trained children $75/month
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Whole-child approach for kindergarten readiness; Christian (Lutheran) program with National Lutheran Schools Accreditation; families need not be Lutheran
Extracurricular: Chapel; bonus activities
Ages served: 2 to 5 years
Hours: Part-day 8:30am-12:00 noon; Full-day 7:00am-5:30pm
Meals: Not included — families provide food
Staff ratios: Approx. 1:8 in younger classes and 1:12 in older classes during the instructional portion of the day
Potty-training: Not required
Sick policy: Children must be symptom-free 48 hours without medication to return; excluded for temperature above 99F with any other symptom, or vomiting/diarrhea within 48 hours; also lice/nits, undiagnosed rash, conjunctivitis, ringworm, impetigo, hand-foot-mouth
Dress code: Comfortable clothing that can be easily laundered
6. Nature's Edge Child Development Center
2700 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) · Staff ratios listed
A play-based, Reggio-inspired child development center on East 7th Street in the Rose Park area of Long Beach.
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State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 45 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 1 substantiated complaint · last inspected 3/17/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 198013871. The state publishes counts and outcomes, not the allegation text — request the full report from CDSS with the control number.
How to read this record →Fees: Registration fee (one-time, per child) $100 · Security deposit (equals one week's tuition) one week's tuition
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based / emergent curriculum ('the child is the curriculum'); self-paced play; mixed-age groupings
Languages: Spanish lessons offered
Extracurricular: Spanish lessons; weekly yoga
Ages served: 2 years old until they enter first grade
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Included
Staff ratios: 1:8 in the 2s and 3s classes
Potty-training: Not required
7. Maple Village Waldorf School
4017 E 6th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
Progressive · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition
A Waldorf-based school on East 6th Street in the Belmont Heights area of Long Beach.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- Seedlings (18 months-2.5 years) · Tue/Wed/Thu 10:30 am-12:30 pm — $1,500/year
- Blossom Bridge (2.5-3 years) · Friday 10:00 am-12:15 pm — $1,740/year
- Parent Participation Preschool, 3-day (ages 3-4, potty trained) · 8:45 am-12:45 pm — $8,250/year
- Parent Participation Preschool, 5-day (ages 3-4, potty trained) · 8:45 am-12:45 pm, Mon-Fri — $13,100/year
- Kindergarten (must turn 5 by June 2026) · Monday-Friday 8:45 am-1:15 pm — $15,850/year
Fees: Application fee ($50 for siblings) $100 · Parent Participation Preschool registration fee $500 · Kindergarten registration fee $600
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Waldorf education; cultivates curiosity, imagination, and real understanding
Extracurricular: Summer camp; specialty subjects
Ages served: Parent-Child classes (approx. 18 months) through Grade 8
Hours: Program-dependent; Kindergarten Mon-Fri 8:45 am-1:15 pm; Parent Participation Preschool 8:45 am-12:45 pm
Potty-training: Required
8. Belmont Shore Children's Center
30 S Termino Ave, Long Beach, CA 90803
Preschool · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A preschool on South Termino Avenue in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach.
Fees: Enrollment fee (one-time) $100
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Full-time, play-based developmental curriculum with weekly themes: art, music, science, cooking, nutrition, socialization, critical thinking, community, multicultural awareness, STEAM, and language arts; kindergarten prep
Ages served: 18 months to 6 years (Guppies 18-36 months, Penguins 2-3, Seahorse 3-4, Dolphins 4-5)
Hours: 7:00am-5:30pm, Monday to Friday
9. Montessori Children's House
5550 E Atherton St, Long Beach, CA 90815
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori preschool located in the Los Altos area of east Long Beach.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori method; primary program with activities and materials suited to each child's development, respecting each child's path toward independence
Ages served: 2 to 5 years
Teacher credentials: States it provides qualified teachers and staff
10. Montessori on Elm
930 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori preschool on Elm Avenue in downtown Long Beach.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori method with a prepared environment; toddler, preschool, and elementary programs; emphasis on behavior regulation, problem-solving, responsibility, and collaboration
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM (closed weekends)
11. Play Pen Montessori and Daycare
4238 Clark Ave, Long Beach, CA 90808
Montessori · Inquire
See the listing for details, then confirm with the school.
A Montessori preschool and daycare on Clark Avenue near Long Beach City College.
First Cubby ranks the 11 preschools it tracks in Long Beach 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 11 programs shown have a state child-care license we verified against the official licensing database, including capacity and inspection history. Licensing is a health-and-safety floor, not a quality guarantee — always confirm a school's current status yourself.
6 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.