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Preschools · San Francisco, CA/Updated June 13, 2026

The 10 Best Preschools in San Francisco, CA

Finding the right preschool in San Francisco can be a challenge. We rank the best options based on reviews and value.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's Choicethe Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare
95Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 San Francisco-metro preschools businesses evaluated, top 10 ranked by Vetted Score.

Choosing a preschool in San Francisco is more than just picking a place for your child to learn; it’s about finding a nurturing environment that fits your family's needs and values. With a competitive market and a thin field of providers, understanding the landscape of preschools here is essential for making an informed decision.

To create our rankings, we evaluated ten preschools based on their Vetted Scores, which reflect customer ratings and review counts. This list is updated monthly, ensuring that our rankings remain current and that no business pays for placement, allowing for a fair assessment of each provider.

10preschools evaluated in San Francisco
4.98average rating across the field
262customer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does preschools cost in San Francisco? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
95Score

the Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare

★★★★★5.0(53 reviews)

With a perfect rating of 5 stars from 53 reviews, the Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare is a favorite among parents in San Francisco.

Read full review
Best for Language Immersion
94Score

L'Academy Language Immersion Preschool & Infant Daycare holds a strong rating of 4.9 stars from 56 reviews.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
93Score

The Growing Tree School

★★★★★4.9(45 reviews)

The Growing Tree School has earned a commendable rating of 4.9 stars from 45 reviews.

Read full review

All 10, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
95Score
5.0★★★★★
53Children who thrive in interactive environments
2
94Score
4.9★★★★★
56Families seeking a bilingual education
3
93Score
4.9★★★★★
45Families looking for play-based learning
4
90Score
5.0★★★★★
29Children who enjoy outdoor learning
5
89Score
5.0★★★★★
25Children interested in arts and music
6
88Score
5.0★★★★★
18Families valuing Montessori education
7
87Score
5.0★★★★★
14Families looking for a variety of programs
8
86Score
5.0★★★★★
13Families valuing cultural inclusivity
9
85Score
5.0★★★★★
5Families seeking bilingual childcare
10
82Score
5.0★★★★★
4Families looking for a welcoming environment
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 preschools.

Our evaluation process considered several factors, including the number of reviews, overall ratings, and the consistency of feedback from parents. We focused on preschools with a transparent review base, as this indicates a growing trust among families in the community.

Since the preschool market in San Francisco is relatively thin, with most providers having under 50 reviews, we emphasize the importance of looking closely at both the ratings and the volume of reviews. This approach helps highlight which schools are building a reputation and which may still be unproven.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

the Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare

★★★★★5.0(53 reviews)
95Score

With a perfect rating of 5 stars from 53 reviews, the Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare is a favorite among parents in San Francisco. Reviewers highlight its engaging curriculum and nurturing staff, making it ideal for children who thrive in interactive environments. However, some parents note that the location can be challenging for parking.

Pros

  • Engaging curriculum
  • Nurturing staff
  • Strong community involvement

Cons

  • Limited parking
  • Busy location
Best forChildren who thrive in interactive environments
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,500 to $2,200 per month
2
Best for Language Immersion

L'Academy Language Immersion Preschool & Infant Daycare Potrero Hill San Francisco

★★★★★4.9(56 reviews)
94Score

L'Academy Language Immersion Preschool & Infant Daycare holds a strong rating of 4.9 stars from 56 reviews. Parents appreciate the bilingual curriculum, which immerses children in both English and a second language, enhancing their communication skills. One downside is the limited outdoor play area, which some families find restrictive. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families seeking a bilingual education. It serves Potrero Hill, San Francisco, with $1,600 to $2,400 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited outdoor space and higher tuition costs.

Pros

  • Bilingual curriculum
  • Engaging learning environment
  • Supportive staff

Cons

  • Limited outdoor space
  • Higher tuition costs
Best forFamilies seeking a bilingual education
Service areaPotrero Hill, San Francisco
Typical pricing$1,600 to $2,400 per month
3
Most Reviewed

The Growing Tree School

★★★★★4.9(45 reviews)
93Score

The Growing Tree School has earned a commendable rating of 4.9 stars from 45 reviews. Parents rave about its well-rounded programs and caring staff, making it a great option for early childhood education. However, some reviews mention that the facility could use updates, which may concern prospective families. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families looking for play-based learning. It serves San Francisco, with $1,400 to $2,000 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are facility updates needed and varied hours.

Pros

  • Well-rounded programs
  • Caring staff
  • Focus on play-based learning

Cons

  • Facility updates needed
  • Varied hours
Best forFamilies looking for play-based learning
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,400 to $2,000 per month
4

Wise Forest Preschool

★★★★★5.0(29 reviews)
90Score

Wise Forest Preschool has a perfect rating of 5 stars from 29 reviews. Parents appreciate the individualized attention each child receives and the emphasis on nature-based learning. A common concern is the limited availability of spots, which can make enrollment competitive. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is children who enjoy outdoor learning. It serves San Francisco, with $1,200 to $1,800 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited spots and high demand for enrollment.

Pros

  • Individualized attention
  • Nature-based curriculum
  • Supportive community

Cons

  • Limited spots
  • High demand for enrollment
Best forChildren who enjoy outdoor learning
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,200 to $1,800 per month
5

Building Kidz of San Francisco

★★★★★5.0(25 reviews)
89Score

Building Kidz of San Francisco holds a perfect 5-star rating with 25 reviews. Parents like the focus on arts and music, which enriches the learning experience. However, some families have noted that the facility is smaller than expected, which can limit play areas. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is children interested in arts and music. It serves San Francisco, with $1,400 to $2,100 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are smaller facility and limited play areas.

Pros

  • Focus on arts and music
  • Caring teachers
  • Stimulating environment

Cons

  • Smaller facility
  • Limited play areas
Best forChildren interested in arts and music
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,400 to $2,100 per month
6

Montessori School of San Francisco

★★★★★5.0(18 reviews)
88Score

The Montessori School of San Francisco has a perfect 5-star rating from 18 reviews. Parents value the Montessori method that fosters independence and critical thinking in children. A downside is the higher tuition compared to other local options, which might be a consideration for some families. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families valuing Montessori education. It serves San Francisco, with $1,600 to $2,300 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are higher tuition and limited extracurricular activities.

Pros

  • Montessori educational approach
  • Fosters independence
  • Highly trained staff

Cons

  • Higher tuition
  • Limited extracurricular activities
Best forFamilies valuing Montessori education
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,600 to $2,300 per month
7

Building Kidz of San Francisco at Sunset

★★★★★5.0(14 reviews)
87Score

Building Kidz of San Francisco at Sunset has a perfect 5-star rating from 14 reviews. Parents appreciate the warm atmosphere and the variety of programs offered. However, some reviews indicate that the facility can get crowded during peak hours, which might affect the experience. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families looking for a variety of programs. It serves San Francisco, with $1,500 to $2,200 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are can get crowded and limited outdoor space.

Pros

  • Warm atmosphere
  • Variety of programs
  • Caring staff

Cons

  • Can get crowded
  • Limited outdoor space
Best forFamilies looking for a variety of programs
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,500 to $2,200 per month
8

Kai Ming PMsquare Children's Center

★★★★★5.0(13 reviews)
86Score

Kai Ming PMsquare Children's Center has a perfect 5-star rating from 13 reviews. Parents commend the culturally inclusive environment and the focus on early literacy. However, some families have expressed concerns about the limited outdoor play area, which may restrict physical activity. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families valuing cultural inclusivity. It serves San Francisco, with $1,300 to $1,900 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are limited outdoor play area and smaller facility.

Pros

  • Culturally inclusive environment
  • Focus on early literacy
  • Dedicated staff

Cons

  • Limited outdoor play area
  • Smaller facility
Best forFamilies valuing cultural inclusivity
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,300 to $1,900 per month
9
85Score

Mis Amigos Daycare has a perfect rating of 5 stars from 5 reviews. Parents appreciate the bilingual program and the nurturing environment. However, the thin review base means trust is still forming, which could make some families hesitate. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families seeking bilingual childcare. It serves San Francisco, with $1,200 to $1,800 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are thin review base and limited availability.

Pros

  • Bilingual program
  • Nurturing environment
  • Dedicated staff

Cons

  • Thin review base
  • Limited availability
Best forFamilies seeking bilingual childcare
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,200 to $1,800 per month
10

SF Tikes Academy

★★★★★5.0(4 reviews)
82Score

SF Tikes Academy has a perfect rating of 5 stars from 4 reviews. Parents mention the friendly staff and engaging activities for young children. However, the very low review count makes it a promising but unproven option for families. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families looking for a welcoming environment. It serves San Francisco, with $1,000 to $1,500 per month pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very low review count and limited information available.

Pros

  • Friendly staff
  • Engaging activities
  • Welcoming environment

Cons

  • Very low review count
  • Limited information available
Best forFamilies looking for a welcoming environment
Service areaSan Francisco
Typical pricing$1,000 to $1,500 per month
Before you book

How to choose a preschool in San Francisco

Selecting a preschool involves weighing factors such as quality, cost, and your child's unique needs. Here are some key considerations to guide your decision.

Assess the Reviews

Look for preschools with strong ratings and a solid number of reviews. This can indicate a trustworthy environment for your child.

Consider the Curriculum

Different preschools offer various educational approaches. Decide whether a play-based, language immersion, or Montessori method aligns with your values.

Evaluate Location and Cost

Proximity to home or work can be a deciding factor. Balance your budget with the quality of education and care provided.

What it costs

What preschools cost in San Francisco

The cost of preschool in San Francisco varies widely based on location, curriculum, and facilities. Understanding the pricing tiers can help you find the right fit for your budget.

Budget OptionsExpect to pay around $800 to $1,200 per month for more affordable preschools, which may have fewer amenities.
Mid-Range ChoicesFor a balance of quality and cost, plan on $1,200 to $1,800 per month, offering better facilities and programs.
Premium PreschoolsHigh-end options can range from $1,800 to $2,500 monthly, featuring advanced curricula and extensive resources.
Specialized ProgramsSpecialized language immersion or Montessori programs may exceed $2,500, reflecting unique educational philosophies and experiences.

Frequently asked questions

How much does preschool cost in San Francisco?

Preschool costs in San Francisco can vary significantly, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 per month depending on the program and location.

What age do children typically start preschool in San Francisco?

Children in San Francisco usually start preschool around the age of 2 to 3 years old.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most San Francisco families: <strong>the Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare</strong>

the Modern PlaySpace Preschool & Daycare is the best overall choice with a perfect 5-star rating from 53 reviews. For best value, consider L'Academy Language Immersion Preschool & Infant Daycare Potrero Hill San Francisco with a strong 4.9 rating on 56 reviews. If you're looking to splurge, The Growing Tree School is a fantastic option with a 4.9 rating from 45 reviews.