These are the 7 preschools we track in San Diego, CA, 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. Ekobe School of Learning
4570 Mount Herbert Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117
Reggio-inspired · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition · Staff ratios listed · Detailed policies
A Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 80 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 12/4/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 376105175. 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)
Infants (6-18 months) · Full Day (M-F) — $1,800/month
Toddlers (18-36 months) · Full Day (M-F) — $1,300/month
Preschool (3 years) · Full Day (M-F) — $1,250/month
Preschool (3 years) · Full Day (TTH) — $750/month
Pre-K (4-5 years) · Full Day (M-F) — $1,270/month
Language Program (Portuguese or Spanish, ages 3-5) · Twice weekly, Tue & Thu 10:00-11:00 am — $225/month
Fees: Late Pick-Up Fee (after 5:30pm, per 15 min) $50 · Delinquent account late-payment charge (per week) $35 · Returned/declined ACH payment fee $40 · Language Program registration fee $100
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Reggio Emilia-inspired, emergent, play-based; Conscious Discipline + Kindness Curriculum; language via Preschool GLAD
Languages: Portuguese and Spanish (twice-weekly program, ages 3-5); states it is the only preschool in San Diego offering Portuguese
Extracurricular: Language Program (Portuguese/Spanish); Atelierista / art room
Ages served: 6 months to 5 years (Infants 6-18mo; Toddlers 18-36mo; Preschool 3yr; Pre-K 4-5yr)
Allergy policy: Nut-free preschool; no peanut/nut butters or whole nuts. Parents must disclose allergies and provide an EpiPen if needed; school dispenses only asthma inhalers and EpiPens.
Staff ratios: States child-to-teacher ratios 'lower than those required by the State of California' — no numeric ratio published
Sick policy: Must be symptom-free 24 hrs; excluded for fever ≥100°F, diarrhea/vomiting, unknown rashes, nasal/eye discharge; doctor's note to return; a sick child's sibling must also stay home
Withdrawal: 60-day written notice to the Director; full tuition due for that period
Dress code: Washable movement-friendly clothes + a full change; closed-toe/closed-heel shoes (velcro running shoes recommended); minimal jewelry under age 5
2. Maria Montessori School
4544 Pocahontas Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition · Detailed policies
A Montessori school in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 77 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 6/10/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 372002147. 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)
Pre-Kindergarten · Full Day (8:15-3:00) — $16,400/year
Pre-Kindergarten · Half Day (8:15-12:15) — $13,050/year
Kindergarten · Full Day (8:15-3:00) — $16,980/year
Approach: Montessori method (Full Member school of the American Montessori Society); Early Childhood/Elementary/Secondary divisions
Languages: Foreign language instruction at all levels (specific languages not stated)
Extracurricular: Computer, Music, Library, Spring Showcase
Ages served: 2.5 years and up (Primary applicants must be at least 2.5 and toilet-trained)
Hours: School day 8:15 AM-3:00 PM (Pre-K/K); child care 7:00 AM-5:00 PM Mon-Fri
Calendar: Academic year
Meals: Not included — families provide food
Teacher credentials: Full Member school of the American Montessori Society
Potty-training: Required
Discipline: New students begin with a 30-day probationary status
Withdrawal: School reserves the right to remove a student at any time
3. Mission Hills Community Preschool
1211 West Lewis Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition · Staff ratios listed
A play-based, Reggio-inspired preschool in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 34 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 7/23/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 370800381. 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)
Standard Program · 5 days/week, 8am-1pm — $15,250/yr ($1,575/mo, 10 payments)/year
Extended Day · 8am-3:30pm (no Extended Day Thursdays) — $21,500/yr ($2,150/mo, 10 payments)/year
Ages served: 2 to 5 years (Little House 2-3; Pre-K 3-5)
Hours: 8am-1pm Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri; 8am-12pm Thu; extended care Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 1pm-3:30pm
Meals: Included
Staff ratios: Little House (ages 2-3): 1:5. Pre-K (ages 3-5): max 13 children with 2 teachers
Teacher credentials: Director holds MFA + 60 graduate units in Child & Family Studies; teachers hold BA/MA in Child Development / ECE
Potty-training: Required
4. Montessori School of San Diego
1323 West Spruce Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition · Detailed policies
A Montessori program in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 132 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 1/14/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 376701603, 370801650. 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)
Primary & Elementary · Full Day, 8:30 AM - 3:15 PM — $14,750/year
Approach: Traditional Montessori by certified teachers; child-centered, self-paced, mixed-age (3-year cycles); practical life, sensorial, language, math, botany, zoology, history, geography, music, art
Extracurricular: Dance, art, physical education
Ages served: 18 months to 9 years
Hours: Toddler 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; Primary & Elementary 8:30 AM-3:15 PM; extended care 7:30-8:30 AM & 3:15-5:30 PM
Calendar: Academic year
Teacher credentials: Certified Montessori teachers (Montessori Institute of San Diego / Centro de Enseñanza Montessori Tijuana)
Potty-training: Required
Discipline: 'Low-key' discipline; 'The Child Comes First' philosophy
5. San Diego Cooperative Preschool
4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Parent cooperative · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record · Published tuition
A parent-cooperative, play-based preschool in the Mission Hills/Hillcrest area of San Diego.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 65 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 7/16/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 376700981, 376701351. 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)
Infant (6-24 months) · Full day 7:30am-5:30pm — $2,478/month
Toddler (18-36 months) · Half day 7:30am-12:00pm — $1,269/month
Toddler (18-36 months) · 3/4 day 7:30am-3:30pm — $1,576/month
Toddler (18-36 months) · Full day 7:30am-5:30pm — $1,777/month
Preschool (24 months+) · Half day 7:30am-12:15pm — $1,201/month
Preschool (24 months+) · Full day 7:30am-5:30pm — $1,708/month
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Play-based, Reggio-inspired parent CO-OP (nonprofit since 1963); imagination, sensory perception, self-esteem, socialization, motor skills
Ages served: 6 months and up (Infant 6-24mo, Toddler 18-36mo, Preschool 24mo+)
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm
Calendar: Year-round
6. Tesoro Preschool
3030 Thorn Street, San Diego, CA 92104
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: ✓ State-licensed (verified) — no serious deficiencies on record
A dual-language-immersion, play-based preschool in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 48 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 1/23/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 376701538. 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 →
Extracurricular: Yoga, STEAM, Art Studio, Robotics & Coding (ages 4-5), Gardening, Music & Movement (included in tuition)
Ages served: 2 to 5 years
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
Meals: Included
Teacher credentials: Staff trained in CPR & first aid; founder holds dual BA (Child Development & Psychology) + MA (Human Behavior), RBT
Potty-training: Not required
7. The Montessori Academy of San Diego
8248 Lapiz Drive, San Diego, CA 92126
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori preschool in the Mira Mesa area of San Diego.
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori-based; curriculum areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Science, Arts & Music
Ages served: 4 months to 10 years (Infant Care, 2-Year-Old, 3-Year-Old Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten)
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 (6 here have one), published tuition (5 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.
Every program we track in San Diego, with tuition, licensing, and approach.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best preschools in San Diego?
First Cubby ranks the 7 preschools it tracks in San Diego 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.
Are these San Diego preschools licensed?
6 of the 7 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.
How much do the best preschools in San Diego cost?
5 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.