55 Child Daycare & Preschools in Palo Alto, California
Browse all 55 child daycare & preschools in Palo Alto, California. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Palo Alto
Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.
- 1Palo Alto Montessori School INC.4.8 score5(20)
575 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 40 children
Palo Alto Montessori School receives universal praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the school's strong Montessori philosophy implementation, caring and experienced staff with low turnover, and individualized attention to each child's development. Children are reported to thrive academically and socially while genuinely enjoying attending school.
Montessori philosophy and hands-on learningindividualized instructi - 2Heffalump Preschool4.8 score5(20)
3990 Ventura Court, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children
Heffalump Preschool in Palo Alto receives perfect 5-star ratings from all parents. Parents consistently praise the dedicated teaching staff (particularly Ms. Barbara and Ms. Meenakshi) for creating a warm, nurturing environment where children thrive academically and emotionally while building confidence and friendships.
Dedicated and caring teacherswarm and welcoming environmentstrong focus on child development (academic and emotional)children excited to attend - 3Lilliput Preschool Center4.62 score5(8)
3789 Park Blvd, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 17 children
Lilliput Preschool Center receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a warm, nurturing, and family-oriented facility. Parents highlight the genuine care and individual attention their children receive, as well as the staff's ability to support children's development through play-based learning. Multiple families report long-term enrollment and describe the teachers as extensions of their family.
Warm and nurturing staffindividualized attentionfamily-oriented approachsupportive environment for children with behavioral challenges - 4Country Day Little School4.58 score5(7)
3990 Ventura Court, Palo Alto, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 40 children
Country Day Little School is a Waldorf-based preschool in Palo Alto that parents consistently praise for its nurturing, nature-focused environment and highly trained, stable teaching staff. Parents highlight the school's emphasis on outdoor play, organic meals, mixed-age classrooms, and developmentally-attuned individual attention. All reviewers strongly recommend the school for families seeking a play-based, imagination-focused early education.
Experiencedcaringlong-tenured teachers with low turnoverextensive outdoor play and nature connection - 5Palo Alto Friends Nursery School4.5 score5(5)
957 Colorado St, Palo Alto, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 38 children
Palo Alto Friends Nursery School is a highly-regarded, play-based preschool focused on social-emotional development and creativity. Parents consistently praise the nurturing, knowledgeable teachers, flexible scheduling options, and strong community environment. The school has maintained an excellent reputation in the Palo Alto area for generations.
Play-based curriculumsocial-emotional development focuscreative learning environmentnurturing and caring teachers - 6Mustard Seed Learning Center4.29 score4.5(7)
2585 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 17 children
Mustard Seed Learning Center receives mostly positive reviews from parents who praise the caring staff, quality learning environment, and bilingual Chinese language programs. Parents appreciate the reliable after-school care, homework help, and activities like playground time and games. One negative review expresses dissatisfaction with after-school programs generally rather than specific issues with the center.
caring stafffocus on child learning and developmentbilingual Chinese instructionreliable after-school care - 7The Children'S Pre-School Center4.23 score4.4(7)
4000 Middlefield Road T-1, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 112 children
THE CHILDREN'S PRE-SCHOOL CENTER receives overwhelmingly positive reviews praising dedicated teachers, low teacher-to-child ratios, outdoor activities, and strong parent communication. However, one review raises serious concerns about past incidents of child abuse, inappropriate discipline, loss of NAEYC accreditation, staff credentialing issues, and high teacher turnover.
Low teacher-to-child ratiodedicated and kind teachersoutdoor timehealthy snacks - 8The Learning Center4.1 score4.2(5)
459 Kingsley Ave, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
The Learning Center in Palo Alto receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the engaging curriculum, low staff turnover, and caring teachers. Parents highlight the strong community feel, outdoor activities, and nutritious meals. However, one review raises serious safety concerns about an injury and reporting compliance.
Engaging activitiesgood teacher-to-student ratiolow staff turnoverwarm and caring staff - 9T'Enna Preschool At The Oshman Family Jcc4.08 score4.1(20)
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 250 children
Note: The reviews provided are for the Oshman Family JCC fitness facility, not the T'ENNA Preschool daycare program. Reviews consistently praise the clean, modern facility with excellent amenities including pools, gym equipment, classes, and locker room services. Most reviewers rate it highly, though a few note pricing concerns and occasional staff friendliness issues.
Clean facilitymodern equipmentheated poolsvariety of classes - 10Club J At The Oshman Family Jcc4.08 score4.1(20)
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 154 children
NOTE: These reviews are for the Oshman Family JCC gym and fitness facility, not a daycare center. The reviews consistently praise the clean, modern facility with excellent amenities including pools, gym equipment, and classes. Members highlight the welcoming community, professional staff, and good value for the membership price.
Clean facilityheated outdoor poolvariety of classesmodern gym equipment
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Palo Alto based on parent reviews
Palo Alto Montessori School INC.
575 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Montessori School receives universal praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the school's strong Montessori philosophy implementation, caring and experienced staff with low turnover, and individualized attention to each child's development. Children are reported to thrive academically and socially while genuinely enjoying attending school.
Heffalump Preschool
3990 Ventura Court, Palo Alto, CA
Heffalump Preschool in Palo Alto receives perfect 5-star ratings from all parents. Parents consistently praise the dedicated teaching staff (particularly Ms. Barbara and Ms. Meenakshi) for creating a warm, nurturing environment where children thrive academically and emotionally while building confidence and friendships.
Lilliput Preschool Center
3789 Park Blvd, Palo Alto, CA
Lilliput Preschool Center receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a warm, nurturing, and family-oriented facility. Parents highlight the genuine care and individual attention their children receive, as well as the staff's ability to support children's development through play-based learning. Multiple families report long-term enrollment and describe the teachers as extensions of their family.
Sojourner Truth Child Development Center
3990 Ventura Court, Palo Alto, CA
Mustard Seed Learning Center
2585 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA
Mustard Seed Learning Center receives mostly positive reviews from parents who praise the caring staff, quality learning environment, and bilingual Chinese language programs. Parents appreciate the reliable after-school care, homework help, and activities like playground time and games. One negative review expresses dissatisfaction with after-school programs generally rather than specific issues with the center.
Genius Kids
569 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, CA
Map
Daycare types in Palo Alto
Browse by type in Palo Alto
Child Daycare & Preschools in Palo Alto, California
There are 55 child daycare & preschools in Palo Alto, California, making up 87% of the 63 total childcare facilities in the city. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.
When choosing a daycare in Palo Alto, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Child Daycare & Preschools in Palo Alto
Showing 55 results
- Address
- 2300 Wellesley Street, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 858-1580
- Address
- 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 494-1467
ACME Children's Center receives mixed reviews with significant safety and leadership concerns. While some parents praise the Montessori curriculum, teacher quality, and academic progress, multiple parents report unaddressed child abuse incidents in May 2025, lack of transparency from leadership, and unprofessional conduct by the director.
- Address
- 4101 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 800-7450
- Address
- 1525 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 325-5350
- Address
- 3450 Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 852-9475
Challenger School - Middlefield in Palo Alto receives consistently excellent reviews from parents. All reviews are 5-star ratings praising the school's strong academic curriculum, caring teachers, safe environment, and supportive community. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and showing significant growth in confidence and learning.
- Address
- 3880 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 213-8245
- Address
- 437 Webster Street, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 329-8023
- Address
- 625 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 723-8700
- Address
- 2525 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 565-8391
- Address
- 3233 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 852-0264
- Address
- 303 Parkside Drive, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 493-7200
- Address
- 100 Addison Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 678-1842
- Address
- 4232 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 739-0137
- Address
- 3149 Waverly Street, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 493-8942
- Address
- 493 W. Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 690-2347
- Address
- 2800 West Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 424-1221
- Address
- 3801 East Bayshore, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 605-9500
- Address
- 2490 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 322-1872
- Address
- 701 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 493-7672
- Address
- 1095 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 326-9004
- Address
- 311 North California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 321-3493
- Address
- 3801 Miranda Avenue, #T6b, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 852-3497
- Address
- 800 Barron Ave., Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 856-1220
- Address
- 890 Escondido Rd, Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 855-9828
- Address
- 650 Addison Ave., Palo Alto, CA
- Phone
- (650) 323-4007
Page 2 of 2· 55 results
Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with California's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in California)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 55 facilities
- Church Daycare — 1 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 7 facilities