Childcare & Preschools Programs
Childcare and preschool can be costly. The great thing is, there's a lot to pick from in SLO County. I find that city-run (government funded) and parent participation programs (parents sits with preschool child) are more affordable. Here are the top choices for the area below! (Check each place for pricing as they may have increased.)
Cooperative Preschool - COOP
The Co-Op Preschool is for children ages 3 - kindergarten (mainly 3 and 4 year olds) with and without a parent present. They follow the California Preschool Learning Foundations and foster school readiness skills. Credentialed teachers facilitate meaningful, play-based curriculum designed to nurture the whole child, including social, emotional, language, and academic development. There are 3 different options: San Luis Obispo 3 year olds, San Luis Obispo 4 year olds, and Morro Bay 3 -4 year olds. Depending on the programs you pick, they are between $130 - $190 a month. All of the programs are 3 hours per day. With this special rate, parents are expected to volunteer either once a week or every other week in the classroom, depending on the program your child is enroll in.
See the details of their Cooperative Preschool programs.
Play and Learn Preschool
This program is for 3-5 year olds at the Elm Street Community Center in Arroyo Grande. Children are introduced to colors, numbers, letters, reading readiness, verbal skills, socialization, music and nature. Call 805-473-5474 for more information. For 3 days a week (M, W, F) for the 9AM - 12PM program, it is $216 a month (per four-week session). For the 2 days a week (Tues, Thurs) for the 9AM - 12PM program or 12:30PM - 3:30PM program, it's $144 per month (per four-week program).
My older son attended their Kindergarten In Training Program while he was a preschooler. Read about my our experience. Address: 1221 Ash Street, Arroyo Grande 93420
Child Development Resource Center (CDRC) of Central Coast
The CDRC is a non-profit program for kids ages 2 - 5 years old. It's a school readiness/transition program for children entering kindergarten. You pay by the month. Part time preschool here is from 8:30AM - 12:30PM and includes breakfast and lunch. There are toddler rates and preschool rates. Toddler monthly rates are 5 days a week ($975), 4 days a week ($775), and 3 days a week ($575). Preschool monthly rates are 5 days a week ($850), 4 days a week ($650) and 3 days a week ($500). Address: 1720 Bishop St., San Luis Opisbo, CA 93401
Saplings Waldorf Inspired Outdoor Enrichment Program
The Saplings Waldorf Inspired Outdoor Enrichment Program is for ages 3 - 6 years old. The unique thing about this program is that it takes place entirely outdoors allowing full emersion into the natural world. The program runs from Monday - Friday but kids choose to come for 3 days or 2 days a week. The cost is $400 a month for 3 days a week and $300 a month for 2 days a week. Address: 875 Laureate Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Head Start of California State Preschool
Head Start Preschool is for ages 3 - 5 years old. These programs are entirely free and for lower income families only. There are also Early Head Start programs for ages 6 weeks - 2 years old that are also entirely free and great for working parents of low income families. Although they are called preschool, they have extended care (full time). Take advantage of this if you're working and need childcare. Sometimes there is a waiting list so the sooner you apply, the better your chances of letting your children utilize these programs. That way, you don't have to spend more money than you have to, especially if you are already running thin.
Orfalea Family and Asi Children's Center
Orfalea Family and Asi Children's Center is a program for infants through kindergarteners. Priority for this program goes to Cal Poly Students but anyone can utilize this great program. Rates are by day. Part time infant and toddler care are from 7:30AM - 12:30PM or 12:30PM - 6:30PM. Cal Poly students pay $36 per day for part time care and $47 per day for full time care for the infant and toddler care. (Rates are cheaper for ages 2 - 5 years.) Regular public rate is $54 per day for part time day and $68 for full time care for infants and toddlers. Rates for ages 2 - 5 years are slightly less for the public as well. Check out the
Orfalea Family & Asi Children's Center website for more details.
United Methodist Children's Center (UMCC) Preschool
UMCC is a preschool with extended day options for ages 2 - 5. They have a toddler program and regular preschool program. Both Toddler and Preschool programs run from 9AM - 12PM. Toddler monthly rates are $502 for MWF (3 days per week) and $354 for TTH (2 days per week). Preschool monthly rates are $493 for M-F (5 days a week), $290 for MWF (3 days a week) and $204 for TTH (2 days a week). Extended hours go on until 5:30PM for an extra cost. A new program they created was an afternoon preschool for ages 3 and 4. Afternoon preschool is from 12PM - 3PM. To see more details, go to the
UMCC Preschool website. Address: 1515 Fredricks St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Newlife Preschool
This preschool is located in Pismo Beach and runs from 9AM - 12:30PM and offers toddler classes and pre-k classes. Monthly rates for the toddler preschool classes are $520 for 5 days a week, $470 for 4 days a week, $417 for 3 days a week and $338 for 2 days a week. Monthly rates for the pre-k classes are $473 for 5 days a week, $427 for 4 days a week, $381 for 3 days a week and $307 for 2 days a week. They also offer full day care for an extra fee. Go to the
Newlife Preschool website for more information. Address: 990 James Way, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Parent Participation Program under SLO
This program is especially great because you get to be there while your child is learning! WIth many different types of classes by age (from 0 months - 5 years old), this is like like a mommy and me program but with a preschool type regiment. Parent Participation is held in a preschool classroom setting and includes group circle time with music and movement, teacher-facilitated parent discussion groups and opportunities for creative indoor and outdoor play. These classes are located in three locations: San Luis Obispo, Los Osos and Morro Bay. Classes for each semester range from $100 - $150 for the whole semester per child.
Check out the Parent Participation website for fee information.
Parent Participation Program under Lucia Mar District (Cancelled)
There was also a separate Parent Participation program for ages 0 months - 4 years old in Oceano under the Lucia Mar District. So if you live in Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano, Arroyo Grande or nearby, these kids/preschool programs were really close! They are broken down by age groups. Even though the program couldn't continue on due to space problems, I had the privilege to experience this Parent Participation program before the pandemic.
Read my review of my experience with Parent Participation.
Tiny Tots Enrichment Program (Grover Beach)
For ages 2.5 - 5 years old, The Tiny Tots Enrichment Program is a child-enrichment program designed to integrate advanced learning and social skills. The monthly rate for the 2.5 - 3.5 year old class is only $143 for 2 days a week (every Monday & Friday)! For the 4 - 5 year olds, there are a couple of options. You can enroll your 4 - 5 year olds for 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays only for $143 a month or for 3 days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for $167 a month.
Read my personal review of Tiny Tots as my little one attended this program! For more information, contact the Grover Beach Parks & Recreation Department at (805) 473-4580.
Read more about the Tiny Tots program. Address: 1230 Trouville Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433
