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Preschools in Louisville

10 preschools near Louisville, KY, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.

Montessori Kids Universe Louisville

14015 Old Henry Trail, Louisville, KY 40245
Montessori · Inquire

A Montessori early-childhood program in far east Louisville near Old Henry Road.

Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori and Reggio Emilia blend (hands-on, child-led)
Ages served: 8 weeks to 6 years (Infant, Toddler, Primary)
Meals: Included
Teacher credentials: Montessori-certified teachers

Montessori School of Louisville

10263 Champion Farms Dr, Louisville, KY 40241
Montessori · Inquire

A Montessori school in northeast Louisville serving children age three and up.

Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori (with Peace Education woven throughout)
Ages served: 18 months through 15 years (Toddler 18-36mo, Early Childhood 3-6, Lower Elem 6-9, Upper Elem 9-12, Middle School 12-15)
Teacher credentials: Montessori-trained teachers; school dual-accredited by AMS and COGNIA

Hayfield Montessori School

2000 Tyler Ln, Louisville, KY 40205
Montessori · Inquire

A family-run Montessori school in the Belknap/Highlands area of Louisville.

Ivybrook Academy Louisville

13550 La Grange Road, Louisville, KY 40245
Reggio-inspired · Inquire

A half-day preschool in east Louisville blending Reggio Emilia and Montessori methods.

Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Reggio Emilia and Montessori blend, half-day curriculum
Ages served: 18 months to 6 years

Sacred Heart Preschool

3105 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206
Preschool · Inquire

A Catholic preschool in the Crescent Hill neighborhood using an International Baccalaureate inquiry approach.

Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Ages served: ages 1-4 (per tuition/attendance page)
Calendar: Academic year

The Gardner School of Louisville

9401 Mill Brook Rd, Louisville, KY 40223
Play-based · Inquire

A preschool in east Louisville combining child-initiated play with a structured academic curriculum.

Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Academically-focused, research-based curriculum with play-based exploration
Ages served: 6 weeks through 5 years (Infants, Toddlers, Twos, Preschool, Pre-K, Private Kindergarten)
Hours: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Included

Learning for Life Education

10843 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville, KY 40299
Preschool · Inquire

A private preschool for ages three to five in southeast Louisville near Jeffersontown.

Published tuition (from the school's own site)
  • Preschool (3 days per week) · 3 days/week; AM 9:00-11:30am or PM 12:30-3:00pm — $400/month
  • Preschool (2 days per week) · 2 days/week; AM 9:00-11:30am or PM 12:30-3:00pm — $400/month
  • Preschool Club · Wednesdays 12:30-2:00pm OR 5:00-6:30pm — $100/month
Fees: Registration Fee (2-day & 3-day preschool) $150 · Registration Fee (Preschool Club) $25
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: 'Whole child' curriculum (social, emotional, physical, language, cognitive); hands-on activities
Ages served: Preschool ages 3-5 (and 'independent almost-3-year-olds') by August 1; site also references serving through elementary/third grade
Hours: Morning sessions 9:00-11:30am; Afternoon sessions 12:30-3:00pm
Staff ratios: Not stated as a ratio; site states 'only 10 students per class'
Potty-training: Required

Virginia Chance School

4200 Lime Kiln Ln, Louisville, KY 40222
Progressive · Inquire

A progressive, inquiry-based school on a wooded east Louisville campus off Lime Kiln Lane.

Published tuition (from the school's own site)
  • Full Day Preschool (until 3:00pm) · Full day — $15,667 (annual); $1,305.58/month on 12-payment plan/year
  • Mid-Day Preschool (until 1:00pm) · Mid-day — $12,265.58 (annual); $1,022.13/month on 12-payment plan/year
  • Elementary (Kindergarten–5th) · Full day — $22,012.38 (annual); $1,834.36/month on 12-payment plan/year
  • CHUMS extended care — Morning · 7:30-8:30am — $15/day
  • CHUMS extended care — Afternoon · 3:00-5:30pm — $40/day
Fees: Application fee (per child) $117 · Enrollment fee (one-time) $500 · Tuition Refund Insurance (required for 2- or 12-payment plans) 2.6% of annual tuition · CHUMS late-request fee additional $10
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Progressive Education — rigorous, inquiry-based program
Ages served: Preschool through 5th grade (preschool age-in-years not stated on pages reviewed)
Hours: Preschool: full-day until 3:00pm or mid-day until 1:00pm; extended care (CHUMS) 7:30-8:30am & 3:00-5:30pm
Calendar: Academic year

Swallowtail Forest School

3745 Illinois Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213
Play-based · Inquire

An outdoor, play-based forest preschool at the Louisville Nature Center in south Louisville.

Published tuition (from the school's own site)
  • Morning Program (Tue/Thu) · 2 mornings/week, 9am-12pm — $280/month
  • Morning Program (Mon/Wed/Fri) · 3 mornings/week, 9am-12pm — $390/month
  • Afternoon Program (Tue/Thu) · 2 afternoons/week, 1pm-3:30pm — $260/month
Fees: Application fee $25 · Annual Enrollment fee $175 · Late pick-up fee $10 for every 15 minutes
Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Play-based, student-led forest school (Froebel forest-kindergarten philosophy); fully outdoors
Ages served: 3-5 years
Hours: Morning 9am-12pm (pick-up by 12:10pm); Afternoon 1pm-3:30pm (pick-up by 3:40pm); no drop-off before 9am or 1pm
Calendar: Academic year
Meals: Not included — families provide food
Allergy policy: Parents send a daily snack; children eat outside; children may never share snacks; teachers are made aware of allergies via each child's emergency form
Staff ratios: 1:5 teacher-to-child
Teacher credentials: All teachers/substitutes have current First Aid and CPR certification, background checks, and experience with young children
Discipline: Positive/caring approach; zero-tolerance for hitting, grabbing, pushing, name-calling, aggressiveness; 3-step plan escalating to removal; purposely injuring another child = sent home immediately
Sick policy: Children with vomiting, diarrhea and/or fever must stay home until symptom-free (without medication) for 24 hours
Withdrawal: Must notify Director; $175 enrollment fee nonrefundable; prorated refunds per payment plan
Dress code: Detailed required clothing/gear list — waterproof rain jacket & rain pants, rain boots, labeled layers, water bottle, backpack; all items labeled

Cadence Academy Preschool - Louisville

8715 Old Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40291
Play-based · Inquire

A preschool in the Fern Creek area of southeast Louisville with a play-based, whole-child curriculum.

Program details (from the school's own site)
Approach: Ascend Curriculum (nine learning domains) + 'Kind Child' character program
Extracurricular: Before & After School Care; summer camps; Kindergarten Club
Ages served: 6 weeks - 5 years (Infant, Toddler, Early Learners, Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten Club)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Meals: Included

Preschool approaches in Louisville

The programs listed here include Montessori, play-based, Reggio Emilia and progressive. New to the differences? Compare Montessori vs. play-based, read what children learn in preschool, or browse all our guides.

Montessori preschools in Louisville

3 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 Louisville?

Preschool tuition in Louisville 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

How to choose a preschoolQuestions to ask on a tourHow much does preschool cost?Preschool vs. daycare vs. pre-K

Preschools near Louisville

Preschools in Lexington, KY61 miles away · 11 listedPreschools in Cincinnati, OH88 miles away · 11 listedPreschools in Indianapolis, IN115 miles away · 11 listedPreschools in Nashville, TN159 miles away · 11 listedPreschools in Columbus, OH185 miles away · 12 listedPreschools in Fort Wayne, IN198 miles away · 12 listedPreschools in St. Louis, MO253 miles away · 11 listedPreschools in Toledo, OH258 miles away · 10 listedAll cities →Browse every city

Frequently asked questions

What preschool approaches are available in Louisville?

First Cubby lists Montessori, play-based, Reggio Emilia and progressive programs in Louisville, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.

How much is preschool tuition in Louisville?

Preschool tuition in Louisville 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 Louisville?

Yes — 3 Montessori programs are listed in Louisville above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.

Are the preschools in Louisville private?

Most standalone preschools in Louisville 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 Louisville?

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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