Best Pre-K Schools & Programs in Thornton, CO
Discover the joy of early learning at La Petite Academy. Whether caring for your baby, preparing your preschooler for kindergarten, or supporting your elementary student (up to age 12) in the morning...
Pre-K
Your child’s school readiness is the most important thing to us and that’s the focus of our Pre-K program. Building on Preschool learning, we focus on problem solving, responsive listening, language usage, and social skills. Our Focus on Literacy™ program features in-school and at-home activities designed to improve your child’s literacy and cognition in areas such as vocabulary development and alphabet knowledge. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.
UPK (Universal Preschool)
We prepare your child for kindergarten! Our school is proud to partner with the state as a provider of the Colorado UPK program. This comprehensive, full-day program prepares 4-year-olds for that big step into elementary school. Plus, parents get peace of mind with extended child care, strict licensing standards, healthy meals and snacks, and access to live streaming video. We’re also open during all school breaks and for summer camp! Note: Child must be age 4 by Sept. 1.
Also offers: Preschool, Drop-In Care
Responds quickly
Early education and childcare center serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Play-based curriculum focuses on early academics, literacy, science, social-emotional development and creativity....
Prekindergarten Program
Final year of preschool designed to prepare children for kindergarten. Program puts a strong emphasis on literacy and language arts. Daily routine includes: reading, writing, math, science, Spanish instruction, movement, art, and music. We are a contracted provider with CO Universal Preschool (UPK).
Preschool Program
Hands-on preschool program with a strong focus on school readiness. Children are encouraged to think independently and express their individuality. Your child’s day is filled with creating, experimenting, and imaginary play. Curriculum includes: math, science, language, and spanish. Children begin to expand social skills and build friendships.
Responds quickly
Since 2009, Willowbrae Academy has partnered with families to support children through every stage of their early years. Our programs use a blended approach to learning focused on the whole child,...
Responds quickly
From preschool through kindergarten, we make early education and daycare joyful, engaging, and fun so children are happy to learn, play and grow. For nearly 40 years, The Learning Experience® has been...
Responds quickly
Primrose School of Thornton is a private preschool offering Balanced Learning® early education and child care, conveniently located off I-25 near Hunters Glen Elementary School and Denver Premium...
Pre-Kindergarten
In our Pre-Kindergarten program, your child begins to develop emergent reading, writing, science, technology, engineering and math skills within large-group, small-group and independent settings.
Preschool
Your preschooler is beginning to connect letters, sounds and numbers, expanding their world through reading and math. They’re building critical-thinking skills, early physical fitness and an understanding of nutrition. Our teachers support that learning and encourage your child to think in new and different ways.
Also offers: Preschool Pathways
Responds quickly
At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse of Thornton, CO, we believe every child’s educational journey should begin at a preschool that feels safe, nurturing, and full of joy. Our warm and welcoming daycare...
Pre-K
It is our mission to prepare your child for a successful year in the wonderful world of kindergarten. Our skilled pre-K teachers help build essential skills by carefully crafting engaging activities that balance instructed learning and purposeful play.
Preschool
We design our preschool classrooms with developmental milestones in mind and equip each classroom with age-appropriate, educational toys to help continue inspiring your preschoolers curiosity and desire to learn and engage with their classmates and their environment.
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Christian preschool, daycare, and kindergarten provided by Intercession Episcopal Church. Theme-based curriculum is used and includes topics such as seasons, community helpers, holidays, all about me,...
Speaks Spanish
Provider offering daycare services in a small home setting.
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The Goddard School of Thornton is a private preschool center with highly qualified teachers. Our center features a playground, a music studio, and a catering kitchen for meals and snacks. We offer a...
Pre-Kindergarten
As children prepare for Kindergarten, our Pre-K classroom offers exciting opportunities for them to develop the skills they will need while making friends and exploring the world around them. Our Pre-Kindergarten program helps your child learn more about themselves, others and the world around them. Teachers engage in play with students, helping them to develop their social skills and learn more about effective communication. Our Wonder of Learning™ curriculum emphasizes a child-led, teacher-guided approach, encouraging interactive, purposeful learning experiences that allows students to grow their math and literacy skills, preparing them for Kindergarten and beyond.
Preschool Classroom
In our Preschool classroom, children start their journeys into a cooperative learning environment where they can discover interests and learn in a more structured setting. At The Goddard School®, we recognize that classrooms are made up of many unique children and teachers work to create engaging, innovative, play-based lessons with the interests and needs of every child in mind. Through the power of asking a question, your child will learn how to seek answers and advocate for themselves in the classroom. The Wonder of Learning™ curriculum takes your child's natural curiosity and encourages them to ask even more questions because asking questions fuels learning. When children want to know something, they learn faster and learning becomes an understanding that lasts a lifetime.
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Our 3- and 4-year-old preschool program is a proud participant in the Universal Pre-K (UPK) initiative, providing high-quality early education to help children transition smoothly into kindergarten.
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State-funded preschool program provided to children as they prepare for elementary school. Hands-on activities are taught using various curriculums. Pre-literacy and pre-math skills are presented ...
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New Horizon Academy is now open in Thornton, Colorado! Children ages 6 weeks to 5 years will be guided by skilled teachers using a comprehensive curriculum that includes social-emotional learning,...
Pre-Kindergarten
Our pre-kindergarten program is designed to ensure children enter elementary school with strong academic and social foundations. With a continued focus on language, early literacy, math, and executive functioning, our pre-k students consistently exceed kindergarten readiness benchmarks. In well-equipped, developmentally appropriate classrooms, teachers foster mastery through a balance of structured activities and self-guided exploration. With nine engaging learning centers and a curriculum grounded in early brain research, children build confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning.
Preschool
Preschoolers at New Horizon Academy learn in joyful, curiosity-driven classrooms that build essential academic and social skills. Our award-winning, research-based curriculum lays the foundation for kindergarten readiness, while nurturing each child’s creativity, problem-solving, and self-confidence. Nine learning centers—including Art, Language and Literacy, STEAM, and Dramatic Play—encourage exploration in all developmental areas. Our teachers guide children in making decisions, building relationships, and developing independence as they discover their strengths and grow into capable learners.
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Preschool program supporting play-based early education. Curriculum encourages kindergarten readiness through creative expression, social-emotional development exercises, self-help skills, as well as...
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Mobile tutoring service offered to prekindergarten through high schoolers in the Thornton community. Subjects covered include reading, writing, and math. Tutoring takes place in schools, libraries,...
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Montessori preschool program offering learning experiences and age-appropriate play for children as they prepare for elementary school. Curriculum centers practical life, sensorial, language, math,...
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Head Start preschool program providing early education for children of all abilities. Curriculum focuses on literacy, math skills, science, and social-emotional development. Activities may include...
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Montessori-based preschool and comprehensive childcare program supporting overall child development. Curriculum encourages child-directed learning through play and hands-on activity. Learning areas...
Speaks Spanish
Christian childcare center providing a learning environment for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Daily activities include sensory tables, singing, rest time, outside play,...
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Jump Start Early Learning Academy is a licensed child care center offering preschool programs located at 550 Thornton Pkwy in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and...
Speaks Spanish
Childcare program offers daily STEAM curriculum and activities based on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Curriculum is designed to teach little ones various skills in a multilingual...
Speaks Spanish
West Ridge Elementary is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 13102 Monaco St in Thornton, CO.
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Tarver Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 3500 Summit Grove Pkwy in Thornton, CO.
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Woodglen Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 11717 Madison St in Thornton, CO.
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Krystal’s Corner is a child care center offering daycare programs located at 2884 E 101st Ave in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
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Karter School of Thornton is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 4155 E 128th Ave in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
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KCE Champions at Westgate is a site-based childcare provider offering daycare programs located at 12500 Washington St in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
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City of Thornton (Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center) is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 11151 Colorado Blvd in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire...
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A New Generation III is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 525 Russell Blvd in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
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Little Bosses Childcare Center LLC is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 1540 Eppinger Blvd in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and...
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Bundles Of Babies Ii is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 940 Oak Pl in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
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St John's Early Learning Center is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 11040 Colorado Blvd in Grange Creek in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices...
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Thornton Elementary Preschool is a licensed child care center offering preschool programs located at 991 Eppinger Blvd in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
Speaks Spanish
City Of Thornton Trail Winds Rec Ctr is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 13495 Holly St in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and...
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Frassati Catholic Academy is a licensed child care center offering preschool programs located at 3951 Cottonwood Lakes Blvd in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and...
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Msu Denver Early Family Literacy @ Smedley is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 9450 N Pecos St in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and...
Speaks Spanish
Sweet Pea Center For Early Learning is a licensed child care center offering daycare programs located at 320 E 128th Ave in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and...
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Lewis Palmer Elementary School is a licensed child care center offering preschool programs located at 13102 Monaco St in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about prices and availability.
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Adams County School District 12 – North Mor Elementary is a licensed child care center offering preschool programs located at 11717 Madison St in Thornton, CO. Contact this provider to inquire about...
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Brantner Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 7800 E 133rd Ave in Thornton, CO.
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North Star Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 8740 N Star Dr in Thornton, CO.
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Cherry Drive Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 11500 Cherry Dr in Thornton, CO.
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Thornton Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 900 Eppinger Blvd in Thornton, CO.
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Hunters Glen Elementary School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 13222 Corona St in Thornton, CO.
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Achieve Academy is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 9100 Poze Blvd in Thornton, CO.
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Meadow Community School is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 9150 Monroe St in Thornton, CO.
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Explore Pk-8 is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 10310 York St in Thornton, CO.
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Trailside Academy is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 2300 W 67th Pl in Thornton, CO.
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Frassati Catholic Academy is a K-12 school offering pre-kindergarten programs located at 3951 Cottonwood Lakes Blvd in Thornton, CO.
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Guides
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Cost of Child Care in Colorado by Age, City & Type
Curious how much daycare or preschool really costs in Colorado? We break down average childcare rates by city, age, and program type—based on real data from local providers.
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How to Find and Apply for Childcare Assistance in Colorado
Explore financial assistance programs available in Colorado, including childcare subsidies, tax credits, and free preschool options for eligible families.
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What is the difference between preschool, Pre-K, and TK?
Preschool, Pre-K, and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) are all great options for children, depending on their ages and academic needs. Learn the difference.
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What is Universal Pre-K?
Universal Pre-K is a free, state-funded program for four-year-olds designed to introduce children to the pre-academic skills needed for Kindergarten.
FAQs About Thornton Pre-K Programs
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What is Pre-K?
- Pre-K is an early learning program designed for children before they enter kindergarten. It emphasizes foundational learning, social skills, and early literacy and numeracy development.
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Do public schools have Pre-K?
- Yes! Some public schools do offer Pre-K. These programs can be free for families who qualify, but details—like how many hours kids attend and the age cutoff—depend on where you live. Reach out to your local district to learn more.
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At what age should I enroll my child in Pre-K?
- In most states, children start Pre-K around age four. Depending on when you live, appllications may be due months before they're eligible to attend.