Amelie CameronI’ve always believed that a good education sets kids up for life. Now that my son is three, I’ve taught him the basics at home, but it felt right to let him learn and play with others.
So I enrolled him in a preschool. Honestly, seeing him excited every morning has been the best feeling. It’s clear that the right start makes all the difference.
That’s why I’m sharing the best preschools in Toronto, where kids can grow with guidance and confidence. And if you’d like extra help for your little one, check out my list of the best tutors in Toronto, too.
How much does preschool cost in Toronto?
In Toronto, preschool tuition typically costs around $875 per month, depending on whether it’s a public, private, or licensed childcare program. Fees vary by location, hours, and whether meals or extended care are included.
How We Chose
1. BrightPath Academy Leaside Child Care Center
Address: 235 McRae Dr, East York
Phone number: +1 888-808-2253
Business hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-FRI)
BrightPath Academy is a solid choice thanks to their strong preschool program. As part of the BrightPath Kids network, the centre blends play and academics to help young children learn in a way that feels natural.
Their preschool program uses Itchy’s Alphabet, which relies on picture mnemonics to help kids connect letters with sounds and shapes.
They also include WeeMove, a physical fitness program that gets children active early and teaches them about movement and coordination.
Meals are catered by Real Food for Real Kids, so nutrition is clearly a priority. Their partnership with Busy Bees also gives families perks like discounts and special offers at restaurants, hotels, and amusement parks around the city.
The only drawback is pricing. BrightPath’s programs are all full-time, so even if you only need half-day care, you’ll still pay full-time rates. Fees also vary by centre, which makes comparing costs a bit tricky.
We couldn’t be happier with our experience
“Our daughter has attended BrightPath Leaside for almost a year now, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. She has the most incredible teachers, Ms. Edie and Ms. Mona, who work tirelessly to make every child’s day great. They treat her with so much kindness and love, and it’s obvious how much she loves them back. She has learned so much in the last year and we can’t wait to send our next child here as well. Highly recommend!”
-Lauren Long, Google Reviews
The teachers are so loving and provide an enriching program
“We have had our son at both ABC Leaside and ABC Beaches, and are so glad to be part of the ABC family. He has always received such amazing care. The teachers are so loving and provide an enriching program. The centre is managed really professionally and the staff are quick to respond to emails or calls. Snacks and meals are healthy and the menu is so diverse, which we appreciate. We couldn’t ask for a better daycare.”
-Dinusha Gunasingham, Google Reviews
2. Kids & Company
Address: 129 Mt Pleasant Rd
Phone number: +1 416-922-9814
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Kindertales for Parents (App Store)
Kindertales for Parents (Play Store)
Kids & Company has been around Toronto since 2002 and has grown into a familiar childcare option with about 30 locations across the GTA. What I’ve noticed is that they try to balance accessibility with programs that feel a bit more modern than the average preschool.
Their setup leans on STREAM concepts, so kids get a mix of science, tech, reading, engineering, arts, and math in ways that don’t feel forced. They also run Munchkinetics, which is their own activity program that helps kids build confidence.
I’m also a fan of their use of the Kindertales mobile app since it gives updates on meals, naps, and activities.
On the corporate side, Kids & Company stands out by partnering with employers to offer family caregiving solutions, which isn’t something you see everywhere.
Unfortunately, they don’t offer half-day programs in Ontario, which limits flexibility, and sometimes enquiries are left unanswered.
So glad my babies have the privilege to learn and grow here
“We love Rosedale Kids & Company! The teachers are all so wonderful and warm, and genuinely care about the little ones in their care. Fantastic, communicative, and collaborative director. So glad my babies have the privilege to learn and grow here.”
-Carolyn Brown, Google Reviews
We loved the balance of play, making art and spending time outdoors
“This daycare is truly a special place. Anna and her incredible team of teachers were so caring and responsive to our little one’s every need. All the staff knew our child’s name after the first week of joining! This blew us away. The facility is bright, clean and engaging. We loved the balance of play, making art and spending time outdoors. It was a second home for my family. Thank you Rosedale Kids and Co for your wonderful care and commitment!”
-Lauren Caldwell, Google Reviews
3. Lullaboo Nursery and Childcare Centre Inc
Address: 2316 Queen St E
Phone number: +1 416-849-2977
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM (MON-FRI)
With 18 centres scattered across the GTA, Lullaboo has been my pick for my son’s preschool. There’s one close to home, so drop-offs and pick-ups are easy. It also helps that they’re part of the CWELCC program, which keeps tuition reasonable.
Their curriculum follows an inquiry-based approach, letting kids explore and ask questions instead of just memorising. I like that because it encourages my son to stay curious and think for himself.
They also include French lessons, which I see as a nice bonus for early bilingual learning.
Parents get useful extras too. Their mobile app gives updates on naps, meals, and activities, and the Parent Perks program offers fun options like a birthday package for your kid.
However, there are costs and rules that I feel are too strict. Registration needs a $440 deposit per child, and late or early arrivals cost $1 per minute.
It’s been a wonderful experience!
“My daughter joined Lullaboo at 11 months and it’s been a wonderful experience! Extremely attentive staff and loving teachers. Appreciate everything Lullaboo has done for our daughter and make this transition easier for us. The app is also a game changer to stay connected throughout the day!”
-Ieleen N, Google Reviews
Lullaboo is a fantastic place for your children
“We have absolutely LOVED our time at Lullaboo! The staff has been nothing but amazing with our daughter and she comes home happy and healthy everyday! She’s made some great bonds with her teachers and the rest of the caring staff! Lullaboo is a fantastic place for your children.”
-Lindsay Saye, Google Reviews
4. Kinder College Early Learning Centre
Address: 218 Richmond St W
Phone number: +1 416-249-9881 ext. 301
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Kinder College Early Learning Centre is another preschool worth checking out if you’re looking for something beyond the usual learning approach.
They’ve got two locations in Toronto, one downtown on Richmond Street and another on Nicholas Street, both offering programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
What I found interesting is how they follow the Emergent Curriculum model, meaning the teachers build lessons around what the kids are genuinely interested in instead of sticking to a strict plan.
They even developed their own assessment tool to track each child’s growth, which feels pretty thoughtful. Meals are cooked fresh on-site, and they run a corporate partnership program that helps working parents get priority spots.
The downsides I noticed are the waitlist, which can be long, and that it sometimes takes up to five business days to get a reply.
Our two daughters had a great experience at Kinder!
“Our two daughters had a great experience at Kinder! Our oldest started at 14months and since the beginning was well taken care of. We are grateful for all the hard work and effort in nurturing our kids. Thank you for the 4 yrs! We hope to visit soon to say hi to all the great teachers, helpers, and management team!”
-Clement C, Google Reviews
Our daughter has thrived in this environment
“Our experience with Kinder College has been fantastic from the beginning. Our daughter joined the infant room when she was 15 months and progressed through the toddler and preschool rooms. All the teachers, support staff and management have been incredibly caring, warm and supportive. The classes are well structured with a wide range of activities and there is a great outdoor space for the kids to use. Our daughter has thrived in this environment and always looks forward to going to daycare. Throughout the pandemic, we felt the Centre took every precaution to keep the children and staff safe and always felt secure leaving our daughter in their hands. We highly recommend Kinder College Early Learning Center.”
-Justine Turner, Google Reviews
5. Alive Montessori and Private School
Address: 2 Wembley Rd
Phone number: +1 289-894-7323
Business hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Website
Founded in 2013, Alive Montessori and Private School is one of my top picks when it comes to Montessori learning. They’re an OFIS member, which means their curriculum meets solid educational standards.
The preschool program is split into two Casa levels. Younger kids get to explore and experiment, while older ones start developing reading, writing, and math skills. It’s very hands-on and encourages independence, which feels true to the Montessori approach.
They also include extras like piano lessons, drama, dance, and coding. Extended care runs until 6 PM, which can really help busy parents.
Another thing I appreciate is that they’re part of the CWELCC program, so tuition drops to about $22 a day, making it more affordable.
Still, there are some things worth keeping in mind. The waitlist can be long, and preschool classes sometimes reach 24 kids, which feels a bit crowded to me.
I can’t speak highly enough about the school and the staff
“My daughter has been attending Alive Montessori since summer of this year and she absolutely loves it! I can’t speak highly enough about the school and the staff. The care and love they show to all the children is amazing. She comes home almost every day and talks excitedly about the activities they did, or a craft they made. We are so glad that we made this decision to send our daughter to Alive Montessori. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for their outstanding care and dedication. Highly recommend this school to everyone!”
-Raman Sokhi, Google Reviews
Alive has great, caring teachers and a welcoming environment
“Me and my wife heard about the Montessori system and felt it was right for our daughter. The school had great reviews and after our daughter attended a summer session there, we understood why and enrolled her for the year. Alive has great, caring teachers and a welcoming environment. The administration is professional and the communication with the parents is top notch.”
-Mikhail Galkin, Google Reviews
