Top Preschool Guide: Denver, CO

When you’re starting your preschool search it can be hard to figure out where to begin. With all the different options out there it’s easy for parents to feel overwhelmed and unsure. Luckily, Winnie’s marketplace makes it super easy to find the best preschools and daycares in Denver. Browse photos, review licensing information and read reviews from other families. We did all the legwork of putting all the information you need to know, in one place so you can focus on the fun stuff like visiting the programs and choosing your favorite!

In Denver, the options for preschool programs are as unique as the neighborhoods and people who make Denver so great! Families can choose between philosophies like Montessori and Waldorf and even bilingual or or multilingual programs. In fact, there are almost 700 daycare and preschool programs for families to choose from in Denver. 

Our team of early childhood experts has read through the reviews to find some of the top-rated preschool programs in Denver. This guide can be a great jumping-off point for your search— but when all is said and done, you know your child best. It’s important that you feel good about the program you choose. Be sure to tour all the programs you’re considering, ask lots of questions (even the ones you think are silly, they’re not silly we promise), and check the programs licensing information to see if they have any violations. 

Top Rated Preschools for Denver, CO by Category

Montessori 

Echinacea Montessori School: Montessori education serving children in a mixed-age classroom. Children will participate in the daily work cycle moving toward independence in the areas of the Montessori curriculum along with getting out into the community for walks to the park, outdoor classroom, and being in nature.

Highlights: Operates on a three-tiered tuition system and provide breakfast, lunch and snack at a low-cost to families through a local catering company. 

View other Montessori preschools in Denver, CO.

Center-based Preschool

Montview Community Preschool & Kindergarten: Cooperative preschool program serving children and families in the South Park Hill neighborhood. Children participate in various educational and recreational activities that encourage diversity and inclusion. Facility is set up with activities and materials that encourage children to explore and learn through play. Parents participate in the classrooms to teach children about their skills, interests and more.

Highlights: Montview Community is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

Bilingual Preschool - Spanish 

Los Angelitos De Ana: Bilingual in-home childcare provider serving children and families in the Montbello area. The facility offers a variety of age-appropriate activities, including pretend play, building with blocks, reading, sensory-based activities, arts and crafts, and more. Children also have access to an outdoor play area with playhouses, sand and water tables, ride-on toys and more

Highlights : Open from 6:30am-4:30 pm and offering flexible schedules including drop-in hours. 

View more bilingual preschools in Denver, CO. 

Reggio-Emilia Preschool 

The Wonder Academy: Inquiry-based early childhood education center serving families with infants, toddlers, preschool-age, and kindergarten-age students. Program is inspired by the RIE and Reggio Emilia approaches and encourages curiosity and wonder while guiding child-led inquiries. Children are treated as whole and capable people. Emphasis is placed on active parent partnerships.

Highlights: Focus is on developing strong, healthy relationships with caregivers and classrooms are arranged in same-age cohorts. 

Religious Preschool

Rodef Shalom Preschool: Preschool program centered around Jewish values and education. Facility uses a Reggio Emilia approach and encourages children to express their interests and ask questions to guide each day's lessons and activities. Activities are focused on each child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development

Highlights: Rodef Shalom’s preschool is Qualistar rated and participates in the Denver Preschool Program.

Free or Low-cost Preschool

Clayton Early Learning: Childcare facility offering a variety of programs and services for children and families in the Clayton area. Teachers provide hands-on learning activities focused on kindergarten readiness. Children and families also have access to various community resources, including health and dental screenings, mental health services, parenting support and other social services.

Highlights: This program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Most Unique Preschool

Iliff Preschool: Between the outdoor learning labs and the real-life airplane they converted into a classroom, Iliff Preschool is one of the most unique programs we have ever seen! 

Highlights: In addition to the daily age-appropriate activities in Kindermusik , STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and music), drama, and physical awareness (yoga), children participate in Music Together with Miss Pat and Deep Space Sparkle in their TINKER ROOM.

Top Rated Preschools for Denver, CO by neighborhood

Depending on where in Denver you are searching, here are some more top-rated preschools by neighborhood!

• Arvada: The Academy Early Childhood Education Centers - Arvada
• Aurora: La Petite Academy of Aurora
• Centennial: Centennial Montessori
• Lakewood: Concordia Lutheran Preschool
• Littleton: Littleton Knowledge Beginnings
• Thornton: Primrose School of Thornton
• University Hills: Little Spark Learning Center

Does Denver offer free pre-k?

Denver Public Schools (DPS) offers high-quality half and full-day preschool/pre-k for all 4-year-olds (regardless of income) located in 80 DPS schools. If your child turns 4 on or before October 1, then they are eligible. Tuition credits are offered to all families but are on a sliding scale based on income. In order to be eligible for the tuition credits, your child’s program must be participating in the Denver Preschool Project. 

There is also a pilot program offering tuition credits to three-year-olds that are income eligible and enrolled in certain preschool programs, so be sure to ask if your child’s school participates. 

Search for free or low-cost preschools in Denver.

More research

This guide is an excellent starting point for your search but we encourage you to continue searching on your own. Once you have narrowed the options down to your favorites, set up some tours! Touring a preschool program is a great way to get your questions answered, meet the director of the school along with the teaching staff, see the classrooms and get a feel for the school culture. 

You may also want to check if your family is eligible for any scholarships, subsidies or whether any schools on your list are part of the Denver Preschool Program. Preschool can be a huge financial burden for many families and luckily there are options like Head Start and other options for financial assistance offered through the state of Colorado. 

At the end of the day, you know your child better than anyone, and you may find that one type of program suits your child better than another. Just because we’ve labeled a school as “best” in a category or neighborhood, doesn’t mean it will be best for every single child!

All of the work you put into finding the best preschool for your child will pay off once you see your child thriving, growing, and learning each day!