The Best Preschools
We graded 37 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 1,469 Google reviews of 37 top-rated preschools nationwide. Updated October 29, 2026.
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Best preschools for educational services
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La Petite Academy of SartellHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%9Overall Experts Score 20%87Job match= 92Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.92
La Petite Academy of St. Cloud Technical CollegeHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%8Overall Experts Score 20%80Job match= 89Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.89
Columbus Pre-SchoolHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%6Overall Experts Score 20%96Job match= 89Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.89
New Horizon AcademyHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%92Job match= 84Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.84
The Goddard School of Manhattan - StuyTownHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%93Job match= 84Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.84
New Horizon AcademyHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%87Job match= 83Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.83
The Learning Experience - Upper West SideHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Educational services”:Stars on this job 55%4.20★Number of such jobs 25%5Overall Experts Score 20%74Job match= 58Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.86★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.58Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Educational services” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about educational services
Columbus Pre-SchoolBoth of our kids going to CPS and we had a wonderful experience with the school! The staff is friendly, caring, and professional, and the environment is warm, welcoming, and nurturing. We’re very happy with the school and would highly recommend it to other families.
New Horizon AcademyMy son has been so happy here Ms Kelly has been so sweet to him and very informative about his day everyday, all the staff are so welcoming and helpful
New Horizon AcademyWe have been at New Horizon for the last 6 years, and both of our sons have had great experiences! We love that many of the teachers have been at that location for over 10 years. They communicate well and also make my boys feel like family. My eldest son has graduated but still loves going with to pick up and drop off so he can say hi to everyone.
The Goddard School of Manhattan -…I loved everything about this place. My daughter is seven and wish she can still attend here 😢 lol. They were truly amazing. Worth your money!!
La Petite Academy of St. Cloud Te…I have been going to this daycare for almost 5 years, Heather and Mackenzie are amazing leaders, the staff is so amazing with my grandkids. I would recommend them to everyone.
The Learning Experience - Upper W…We’ve had a wonderful experience so far at the Upper West Side TLE. My 2-year-old daughter transitioned very easily, and her new teachers and classmates are all great. The administrators and staff have been consistently accommodating and patient, even with my many questions. Nina, the Education Director, has been…
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of preschools).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Aventuras Child CareEden Prairie, MN | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Eden Prairie KinderCare AztecEden Prairie, MN | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%97+67.2Reliability 31%96+29.5Experts Score= 97Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  The Goddard School of Manhattan - Murray HillNew York, NY | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%93+14.2Craft & service penalty98−0.2Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 4 |  My Little Village PreschoolNew York, NY | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%97+67.2Reliability 31%96+29.5Experts Score= 97Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 5 |  Fernanda’s Daycare LLCYakima, WA | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%97+67.2Reliability 31%95+29.2Experts Score= 96Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 6 |  Primrose School of Manhattan at East 82nd StreetNew York, NY | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%87+13.2Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.99 | — |
| 7 |  Rose Hill Montessori of ManhattanNew York, NY | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%99+25.8Value 15%78+11.9Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–BA– | 4.99 | — |
| 8 | Columbus Pre-SchoolNew York, NY | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%87+13.2Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.97 | — |
| 9 |  Kimberly’s Early Learning LLCYakima, WA | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%95+65.8Reliability 31%95+29.2Experts Score= 95Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 10 | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%95+65.8Reliability 31%94+28.9Experts Score= 95Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — | |
| 11 |  Kiddie Academy of HonoluluHonolulu, HI | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%94+65.1Reliability 31%93+28.6Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 12 |  Royal Kids Early Learning Center & Pre-KYakima, WA | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%82+12.5Experts Score= 94Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Preschools at a glance
How the 37 preschools we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A2465%
- Grade B1027%
- Grade C25%
- Grade D13%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up1951%
- 4.80–4.89★719%
- 4.60–4.79★822%
- Below 4.60★38%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality6628%
- Professionalism6628%
- Responsiveness5423%
- Punctuality00%
- Value4720%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price4336%
- Reasonable7159%
- Overpriced22%
- Not sure54%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.