Preschools in Oakland
12 preschools near Oakland, CA, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.
The Children's Workshop Oakland
A Reggio-inspired, play-based preschool in the Grand Lake/Lake Merritt area of Oakland.
Rockridge Montessori School
A family-owned Montessori school in the Rockridge neighborhood of North Oakland.
Grand Lake Montessori
A Montessori school serving young children in the Grand Lake area of Oakland.
Growing Light Montessori School
A Montessori school in the Redwood Heights area of Oakland.
Montclair Community Play Center
A play-based parent cooperative preschool in the Montclair neighborhood of Oakland.
Duck Pond Preschool
A child-led, Reggio-inspired preschool in the Glenview district of Oakland.
Broadway Children's School of Oakland
A play-based community preschool in the Adams Point neighborhood near Lake Merritt.
The Room To Grow Preschool
A Reggio Emilia preschool in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland.
Rockridge Little School
A preschool located on College Avenue in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland.
The Renaissance International School
A Montessori school in the Dimond neighborhood of Oakland.
Applegarden Montessori School
A Montessori preschool in the Montclair area of Oakland.
Pacific Coast Montessori Program
A Montessori program in the Temescal/Rockridge area of North Oakland.
Preschool approaches in Oakland
The programs listed here include Montessori, Reggio Emilia, cooperative and play-based. New to the differences? Compare Montessori vs. play-based, read what children learn in preschool, or browse all our guides.
Montessori preschools in Oakland
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 Oakland?
Preschool tuition in Oakland 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 Oakland
Frequently asked questions
What preschool approaches are available in Oakland?
First Cubby lists Montessori, Reggio Emilia, cooperative and play-based programs in Oakland, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.
How much is preschool tuition in Oakland?
Preschool tuition in Oakland 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 Oakland?
Yes — 6 Montessori programs are listed in Oakland above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.
Are the preschools in Oakland private?
Most standalone preschools in Oakland 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 Oakland?
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.
Free. Save your shortlist, track tours and deadlines, and compare side by side.