1. Corbett Preparatory School of IDS
12015 Orange Grove Dr, Tampa, FL 33618
Preschool · Inquire
Why it stands out: Published tuition
An independent school in the Carrollwood area of Tampa with a preschool program for young children.
Published tuition (from the school's own site)- PreKindergarten 3 (Half Day) · half day — $14,169/year
- PreKindergarten 3 (Full Day) · full day — $18,190/year
- PreKindergarten 4 · full day — $20,052/year
- Kindergarten · full day — $23,005/year
Fees: Enrollment deposit (applied to tuition) $1,000 · Capital assessment (one-time, new families) $1,000
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: International Baccalaureate — Primary Years Programme (PreK3–5) and Middle Years Programme (6–8); gifted education for all; research-based, hands-on, STEAM-inspired
Languages: Spanish
Extracurricular: Physical education, fine arts, outdoor education, social-emotional learning, athletics, after-school enrichment, STEAM lab
Ages served: PreK3 (age 3) through Grade 8
Meals: Not included — families provide food
2. Carrollwood Day School
1515 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613
Preschool · Inquire
Why it stands out: Detailed policies
An independent school in north Tampa's Carrollwood area offering early childhood and preschool programs.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: International Baccalaureate World School — PYP (preschool–5), MYP (6–10), DP (11–12); Early Childhood Campus blends HighScope, Conscious Discipline and Responsive Classroom
Languages: Spanish
Extracurricular: Music, Spanish, technology, library, physical education
Ages served: 2 years through Grade 12; preschool & kindergarten at the Early Childhood Campus
Discipline: Early Childhood program uses Conscious Discipline
3. Bright Horizons at Hunter's Green
18002 Hunters Oak Court, Tampa, FL 33647
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A play-based early education and preschool center in the Hunter's Green area of New Tampa.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Discovery-driven learning (preparation for success in life and academic excellence; a rich and rewarding childhood)
Languages: Spanish and sign language incorporated
Extracurricular: STEAM, yoga and mindfulness, music and movement, basketball court, outdoor obstacle courses
Ages served: 6 weeks through Pre-K (5 years); school-age 5–12; includes VPK
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Included
Teacher credentials: Minimum CDA, ECE degree, or Education bachelor's; 40 hours state-mandated training; CPR/First-Aid certified
4. Bright Horizons at Tampa Palms
5171 Cypress Preserve Drive, Tampa, FL 33647
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A play-based daycare and preschool in the Tampa Palms community of north Tampa.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Discovery Driven Learning (play-based, exploration-focused)
Extracurricular: Basketball court, STEM lab, pool access, gym, four playgrounds
Ages served: 6 weeks to 12 years (Infant, Toddler/Twos, Preschool, Kindergarten Prep, School-Age, Summer Camp)
Hours: Monday–Friday 6:00 am – 7:30 pm
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Included
Allergy policy: All Bright Horizons centers are nut-free; meals provided are pork-free and nut-free
Teacher credentials: Minimum CDA, ECE degree, or related bachelor's; 45 hours state-mandated training plus 40 hours Bright Horizons training
5. Montessori Academy of South Tampa
503 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori school located in the South Tampa neighborhood off MacDill Avenue.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori Method; Primary program uses hands-on materials and mixed-age learning with an emphasis on language, math and responsibility
Ages served: Infants from 6 weeks through 6 years (Kindergarten); Toddlers between 18 months and three years; Primary ages three to six
Hours: Open year-round, Monday–Friday 7 am – 6 pm. Half Day 8:45 am – 12 pm; Full Day 8:45 am – 2:45 pm; Extended Day 7 am – 6 pm
Calendar: Year-round
Meals: Not included — families provide food
6. The Goddard School of Tampa (Temple Terrace)
13401 Tampa Oaks Blvd, Tampa, FL 33637
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A play-based preschool and daycare in the Temple Terrace area of Tampa.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Wonder of Learning proprietary play-based early-childhood curriculum
Languages: American Sign Language offered
Extracurricular: Chess, engineering, handwriting, music appreciation, physical fitness, sports & fitness, yoga & mindfulness, world cultures
Ages served: 6 weeks – 5 years (Infant, Toddler, Twos, Bridge, Preschool, Pre-K)
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Meals: Included
7. Children's Garden
4106 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33610
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A developmental, play-based preschool in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Student-centered, constructivist self-guided curriculum; self-directed, experiential learning in a relationship-driven environment (since 2000)
Hours: Monday–Friday 6:00 am – 6:30 pm
Meals: Included
8. Ivybrook Academy Tampa Palms
5392 Primrose Lake Circle, Tampa, FL 33647
Reggio-inspired · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A half-day preschool in Tampa Palms blending Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies with play-based learning.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Hybrid curriculum drawing on the Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences; balances structured learning with play-based activities, integrating literacy, math and science with art, music and physical education, plus outdoor play and nature-based learning; social-emotional emphasis on cooperation, empathy and resilience
Ages served: 18 months through Kindergarten — Toddler (18 months–2 years, half-days only), Two-Year-Old, Three-Year-Old and Four/Five-Year-Old programs, plus Private Kindergarten
9. Montessori Early Learning Center
3823 Hudson Ln, Tampa, FL 33618
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori early learning center in the Carrollwood area of north Tampa.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Montessori-inspired, phonics-based; "Experience Curriculum" for toddlers focused on sensory exploration, early language and practical life skills; VPK program meets state VPK standards
Languages: Spanish-speaking teachers available
Ages served: Children ages 1 through kindergarten; Toddler program ages 1 to 2½ years; Preschool 3-year-olds; VPK and Kindergarten offered
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Saturday and Sunday); the 1-year-old toddler program runs until 3:00 PM. Morning-only and part-time (3 days per week) programs offered.
Teacher credentials: Montessori-certified teachers
10. The Goddard School of South Tampa
2401 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Play-based · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A play-based preschool and daycare located along Kennedy Boulevard in South Tampa.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Wonder of Learning® curriculum; accredited by Cognia ("Accredited with Merit"). Florida DCF licence C13HI0683.
Languages: American Sign Language; "Secondary Languages" offered (specific languages not named)
Extracurricular: American Sign Language, basketball court, chess, engineering, handwriting, learning technologies, music appreciation, nutrition, outdoor classroom, physical fitness, playground(s), secondary languages, sports & fitness, world cultures, yoga & mindfulness; After School program
Ages served: 6 weeks through Kindergarten — Infant (6 weeks–12 months), Toddler (12–24 months), Twos (2–3 years), Bridge (2.5–3.5 years), Preschool (3–4 years), Pre-K (4–5 years), Kindergarten and After School
Hours: Monday–Friday 6:30 am – 6:00 pm
11. The Montessori Children's House of Hyde Park
2416 W Cleveland St, Tampa, FL 33609
Montessori · Inquire
Why it stands out: Program details
A Montessori program in the Hyde Park area of Tampa serving early childhood through elementary ages.
Program details (from the school's own site)Approach: Authentic Montessori education; accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and holds full accreditation with the Florida Council of Independent Schools. Founded in 1996 by Montessorian Amanda Linton-Evans.
Ages served: Age 3 – Kindergarten (Primary); 1st–3rd Grade (Lower Elementary); 4th–6th Grade (Upper Elementary)
First Cubby ranks the 11 preschools it tracks in Tampa 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.
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.
1 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.