Preschools in Philadelphia
11 preschools near Philadelphia, PA, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.
Philly Montessori
A bilingual Montessori micro-school in the Bella Vista/Queen Village area of Center City serving children 18 months to 6 years.
Little City Montessori
An independent Montessori preschool in Northern Liberties serving the Northern Liberties, Olde Kensington and Fishtown neighborhoods.
Our House Montessori
A Montessori program in the Spring Garden area of Center City serving children from 18 months through kindergarten.
Clementine Montessori School
A Montessori toddler, preschool and kindergarten program in the Spring Garden/Fairmount area of Center City for children 18 months to 6 years.
Project P.L.A.Y. School
A Reggio Emilia-inspired school in South Philadelphia's Bok building emphasizing emergent, constructivist curriculum.
Frankford Friends School Early Childhood Center
A Reggio Emilia-inspired, Quaker-affiliated early childhood center in the Fishtown neighborhood.
Excelsior School of Philadelphia
A Reggio Emilia school in the East Mount Airy/West Oak Lane area focused on community engagement and student-centered learning.
Early Childhood Center at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
A Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based early childhood center in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood for children 18 months to 4 years.
AKWD Preschool
A preschool in Northern Liberties serving children ages 2 to 5 with flexible scheduling options.
Young Children's Center for the Arts
An arts-focused, play-based nonprofit day care and preschool in the Queen Village neighborhood on the grounds of Old Swedes' Church.
Parent Infant Center
A Reggio-inspired, nature-based early learning and child care community in West Philadelphia near the University of Pennsylvania.
Preschool approaches in Philadelphia
The programs listed here include Reggio Emilia, Montessori 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 Philadelphia
4 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 Philadelphia?
Preschool tuition in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Frequently asked questions
What preschool approaches are available in Philadelphia?
First Cubby lists Reggio Emilia, Montessori and play-based programs in Philadelphia, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.
How much is preschool tuition in Philadelphia?
Preschool tuition in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Yes — 4 Montessori programs are listed in Philadelphia above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.
Are the preschools in Philadelphia private?
Most standalone preschools in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
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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