12 preschools near San Jose, CA, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.
Empire Montessori Preschool - Downtown
499 N 11th St, San Jose, CA 95112
Montessori · Inquire
A Montessori preschool located in the Downtown San Jose neighborhood.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 44 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 1 minor · 1 substantiated complaint · last inspected 7/2/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434410825. 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: 'Learning Through Movement' classes by certified professionals: martial arts, music & movement, and sports
Ages served: 6 weeks to 6 years (Infant 6 weeks-24 months; Two's 2-3; Preschool 3-6)
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm
Meals: Included
Empire Montessori Preschool - Willow Glen
585 West Alma St, San Jose, CA 95125
Montessori · Inquire
A Montessori preschool in the Willow Glen area of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 119 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 2/19/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434417210. 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 →
A Montessori school located near the Meridian corridor of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 48 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 9/11/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434416410. 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 (ages 3-6) · Varies by schedule (2026-2027) — $1,400-$2,216/month
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Montessori approach (whole-child; operating since 1970; recommends 2-3 years of enrollment)
Ages served: 3 to 6 years (enrollment possible as young as 2 years 9 months)
Hours: 7:45 AM-4:15 PM during the school year (half-day pickups at 12:00, 1:15, 3:00 PM)
Calendar: Academic year
Teacher credentials: Each of 2 classrooms has a Head Teacher and an Assistant Teacher, both AMI-certified
Potty-training: Not required
Creative Minds Child Development Center
4977 Dent Avenue, San Jose, CA 95118
Reggio-inspired · Inquire
A Reggio-inspired child development center in the Cambrian area of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 40 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 9/24/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434410803. 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 →
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Reggio-inspired, project-based / emergent curriculum built on children's interests (language arts, math, science, music, dramatic play, sensorial, social skills)
Ages served: 3 months to 5 years (Infants/Toddlers 3 months-2 years; Young Preschool 2-3; Preschool 3-5)
Hours: 8:15 AM-5:00 PM standard; extended care 7:30-8:15 AM and 5:00-6:00 PM
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Included
Staff ratios: Infants/Toddlers 1:3; Young Preschool 1:5; Preschool 1:8; Extended Care 1:10
Teacher credentials: Director holds a Master's in Psychology (Play Therapy emphasis) with 30+ years of experience
Explorer Preschool
2700 Booksin Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
Parent cooperative · Inquire
A parent-participation cooperative preschool in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 40 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 11/19/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434406736. 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: Application fee $50 · Annual cleaning service fee $70 · Annual cleaning service fee (family maximum) $140
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Child-centered, play-based, guided by the California Preschool Learning Foundations; parent-participation (co-op) model; NAEYC-accredited
Extracurricular: Field trips (Pre-K ~eight/year; 3's-5's ~three/year); Pre-K starts and ends the year at Vasona Park
Ages served: 12 months through Pre-K (Together Time 12 months; 2's; 3's-5's; Pre-K age 4 by September 1; Kinder Club)
Hours: Mornings ~9:00-11:30 AM and Pre-K 12:30-3:30 PM (varies by class)
Calendar: Academic year
Staff ratios: Lunch Bunch 5:1 (other classes' ratios not published)
Teacher credentials: Experienced and credentialed teachers
Potty-training: Not required
San Jose Parent Participating Nursery School
2180 Radio Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
Parent cooperative · Inquire
A parent-participation cooperative nursery school in the Willow Glen area of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 24 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 1 minor · 1 substantiated complaint · last inspected 11/13/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 430700551. 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)
1-Day Class · Wed 2:00-4:00 PM — $136/month
2-Day Class · Tue & Thu 9:00-11:30 AM — $314/month
3-Day Class · Mon, Wed & Fri 9:00-11:30 AM — $437/month
Fees: Class Registration Dues (1-Day) $300 · Class Registration Dues (2-Day) $350 · Class Registration Dues (3-Day) $366 · Class Registration Dues (Pre-K) $387
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Play-based; parents and teachers facilitate social, cognitive and physical growth
Ages served: 1 year (by June 1) through Pre-K (4 years by September 2)
Hours: Class times vary: 1-Day Wed 2:00-4:00 PM; 2-Day & 3-Day 9:00-11:30 AM; Pre-K 12:30-4:00 PM
Calendar: Academic year
Staff ratios: Each class of 24 children is directed by a credentialed teacher/director plus working parents (2-Day: 9, 3-Day: 8, Pre-K: 6 per session); high adult-to-child ratio
Teacher credentials: Credentialed teacher/director experienced in early childhood education
Potty-training: Not required
Almaden Parents' Pre-School
5805 Cahalan Ave, San Jose, CA 95123
Parent cooperative · Inquire
A parent-participation cooperative preschool in the Blossom Valley area of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 40 · 1 serious deficiency (Type A) · 1 substantiated complaint · last inspected 10/8/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 430700020. 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)
Early Explorers (Parent-Tot) · Mon 3:00-5:00 PM — $160/month
2-Day Class · Tue & Thu 9:00-11:30 AM — $330/month
3-Day Class · Mon, Wed & Fri 9:00-11:30 AM — $450/month
5-Day Class · Mon-Fri 9:30 AM-12:30 PM — $695/month
An early-childhood daycare and preschool in the Almaden Valley neighborhood of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 142 · 1 serious deficiency (Type A) · 1 minor · 3 substantiated complaints · last inspected 9/24/2025.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434415820. 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 →
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Proprietary Life Essentials curriculum focused on six developmental outcomes
Extracurricular: Soccer and kung fu classes
Ages served: 6 weeks to 12 years (Infant, Toddler, Early Preschool, Preschool, Pre-K, School Age, Summer Camp)
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: Speak with the local academy directly about health and safety
Teacher credentials: Educators must meet or exceed state requirements including background clearance, education qualifications, and ongoing professional development
Safari Kid San Jose - Almaden
6436 Bose Ln, San Jose, CA 95120
Preschool · Inquire
A preschool and daycare in the Almaden Valley area of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 75 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 1/27/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434414329. 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 →
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Research-based, inspired by Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf; five domains (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, language)
Extracurricular: Environmental learning projects, nature walks, cultural days, language immersion events
Ages served: 18 months to ~5 years (Toddler, Entry-Level Preschool, Intermediate Preschool; plus After School and Summer Camp)
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-6:00 PM
Teacher credentials: All educators are CPR and first-aid certified
ABC Evergreen Preschool
2650 Aborn Road, San Jose, CA 95121
Preschool · Inquire
A preschool in the Evergreen neighborhood of San Jose.
Program details(from the school's own site)
Ages served: 2 to 6 years (full-time and part-time programs)
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-6:00 PM
Calendar: Year-round
Staff ratios: Low teacher-to-student ratios (specific numbers not stated)
Teacher credentials: All teachers have clear background checks and years of childcare experience
Potty-training: Not required
Willow Glen Academy
1590 Minnesota Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
Preschool · Inquire
A preschool in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose.
🛡️ State licensing record — Licensed · capacity 25 · 0 serious deficiencies (Type A) · 0 substantiated complaints · last inspected 4/15/2026.
CA Community Care Licensing · license 434400414. 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 →
Program details(from the school's own site)
Approach: Play- and exploration-based; children explore science, math, language arts, reading, dance, Spanish, and theater; pet-friendly with animals to care for
Languages: Spanish
Extracurricular: Dance, theater
Ages served: 2 years through entry into first grade (preschool and transitional kindergarten)
Preschool tuition in San Jose 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.
What preschool approaches are available in San Jose?
First Cubby lists Montessori, cooperative and Reggio Emilia programs in San Jose, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.
How much is preschool tuition in San Jose?
Preschool tuition in San Jose 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 San Jose?
Yes — 4 Montessori programs are listed in San Jose above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.
Are the preschools in San Jose private?
Most standalone preschools in San Jose 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 San Jose?
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.