Kandice VincentChildren have a right to education and it is important to find a conducive place where they can learn and discover their abilities.
In this review, you will find a list of the best preschools in Toronto. We added each of their programmes, techniques, and other relevant information.
The Best Preschools in Toronto
How much does preschool tuition cost in Toronto?
A child’s educational plan often comes with a long-term budget. Here are some of the prices you can expect when you enroll a child in a preschool in Toronto.
We note that tuition fees vary per school, programme, and other factors. These costs are highly subjective to change.
The Best Preschools in Toronto
We used the following criteria to find the best preschools in Toronto:
1. Polka Dot Preschool
| WEBSITE | https://polkadotpreschool.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 271 Centre Street Thornhill, ON, L4J 1G5 |
| CONTACT INFORMATION | 905-370-0014 [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mon – Fri: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| PROGRAMMES | ★★★★★ |
| TECHNIQUES | ★★★★★ |
| TEAM | ★★★★★ |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ |
We recently enrolled our child at Polka Dot Preschool in Thornhill, and we have been thoroughly impressed with our experience. From the moment we entered, the environment was warm and inviting, making it a perfect place for young learners.
The trained Registered ECE teachers are dedicated and passionate about early childhood education. They create a stimulating and supportive atmosphere that encourages our child’s growth across all developmental areas, from social skills to artistic expression.
Additionally, the curriculum is well-structured, with a variety of activities tailored to different age groups. We appreciate how the school focuses on fostering independence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills, preparing our child for the transition to Kindergarten.
Moreover, the nurturing environment at Polka Dot Preschool promotes emotional and social development. We’ve noticed our child becoming more confident and engaged since starting their program.
After just a few weeks, we’ve already seen significant improvements in our child’s readiness for school. The emphasis on positive reinforcement and self-discipline has made a noticeable difference in their behavior and attitude.
Finally, the convenient location and free parking make drop-off and pick-up easy for busy parents. We highly recommend Polka Dot Preschool for any family seeking a quality early learning environment that prioritizes holistic development and community involvement.
Pros
- Years of experience
- Affordable pricing
- Excellent and responsive teachers
Cons
- No promos at the present
Customer Reviews
“From the moment we stepped into Polka Dot Preschool, I felt a genuine sense of warmth and welcome. Over the past couple of years, this school has truly become a second home for my children, and I couldn’t be more grateful for our experience. The entire team at this school is outstanding, ensuring that each child feels seen and loved. Every day is filled with thoughtfully planned activities that spark joy and curiosity, fostering ongoing cognitive development. The staff’s deep care extends not only to the children but also to us as parents, providing regular updates on our children’s days, milestones, and any challenges they may face. This openness makes us feel included in their journey while they are away from us. The school environment itself is bright, cheerful, and always impeccably clean. Each morning, the delightful aroma of in-house meals wafting from the kitchen is a lovely bonus! My kids look forward to school each day, flourishing in a space filled with love and creativity. I wholeheartedly recommend Polka Dot Preschool to any parent seeking a nurturing environment where their children can truly thrive.” -Ivy Hong
“Our daughter has been at Polka Dot from toddler room through to Preschool B over the last 2 years. She has had exceptional teachers in every room, many of whom have been with Polka Dot for years. They have all been so warm and caring, and have helped her thrive and come out of her shell. Every morning my daughter is greeted by smiles and welcoming hello’s from maintenance staff to teachers that she has not even had! We think the consistent level of excellent care here is a testament to how well run the school is. The director, Ms. Karine, is so actively involved in the everyday ins and outs, and it really shows in the amazing staff that she has hired and how seamlessly the school programming runs. We also have to say that the parents and other children that attend the school are likewise lovely, and it truly feels like its own little community. Our once timid daughter now loves going to the school, and we feel great dropping her off every day knowing that she is in the best of hands! Though we are a 20 minute drive to the centre, we will be sending our toddler twin boys to Polka Dot in September as we cannot imagine them being more well cared for anywhere else!” -Jeff T
“We checked dozens of daycares with strong reputations by checking their websites, reviews, facilities and meeting them in person. But from the beginning we knew that Polka Dot Preschool was the place we could trust our son with. Ms. Karine, the managing director is a great individual and professional who goes beyond her call of duty. As covid-19 tempts many businesses to cut corners, Ms. Karine is dedicated to taking and exceeding all precautions necessary to have a safe and loving environment for kids and staff. We strongly recommend Polka Dot because:
Great Leadership:
– Ms. Karine is there almost every day before any teachers or students arrive and she’s the last one leaving
– Ms. Karine is very hands on welcoming kids and parents making sure that the operations fully support a safe and happy environment. She’s very responsible and cares for our kids as her own. She’s the first one in to check everyone is safe
Great Teachers:
– Ethan’s class is led by Ms. Natasha and Ms. Abby
– Ms Natasha and Ms. Abby are fun and very supportive. They play with the kids and send us photos and reports. very helpful
Facilities:
– Very good and in great shape
– playground (indoor and outdoor) are very clean and in good shape
-Polka Dot has a kitchen where the meals and snacks are prepared in site ensuring the food is fresh, savory and healthy.
Supportive and Loving Environment:
– In spite of the financial hardships they may be going through, they still take only one new kid a week to ensure they can focus on the new kid
When we checked daycares, one of our main criteria was checking if the kids were smiling a lot, did they look happy there, are there signs in the facility that the kids were stimulated with educational play and crafts and in Polka we could see instructional items and the crafts the kids made everywhere. But don’t take our word for it. Schedule a call with Ms. Karine and visit them. See how happy the kids are!!! Thanks Ms. Karine, Ms. Natasha, and Ms. Abby for helping Ethan with love and guidance.” -Steve Chang
2. The Clover School
| PROGRAMMES | ★★★★★ |
| TECHNIQUES | ★★★★★ |
| TEAM | ★★★★★ |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ |
Established in 1996, The Clover School is one of the most popular schools for children in Toronto. This institution has an innovative curriculum combined with Montessori essentials to foster a child’s development.
Their campuses can be found within Toronto, and their Midtown location is where the Junior Campus stands. The Junior campus caters to children from 18 months to 6 years, with toddler, pre-primary, and primary programmes.
The Elementary Campus can also be found in the same location. This is for ages 3 up to 14 and has more advanced programmes for elementary and middle school.
Depending on what your child can handle, you can enroll them in any of the programmes from either of the two campuses in Midtown.
The main advantage of choosing this school is that it is an overall learning environment that features playgrounds and parks that kids can enjoy. The teachers and staff are also very friendly and they pay attention to each child as much as they can.
They even have an urban garden in their elementary campus where students can learn more about different plants and vegetables. Culinary and urban farming are included in the curriculum, so this area provides a more sensory experience for classes.
Given the privileges, we note that fees in this school can be quite higher than most. Returning and former students are also prioritised for admission, so first-time enrollees may have to compete for slots.
We recommend The Clover School because of their well-equipped and enticing facilities. They are definitely a great place for programmes that will help your child develop during their formative years.
Pros
- Over 25 years’ experience
- Campus has outdoor learning spaces such as parks and gardens
- Combines an innovative curriculum with Montessori essentials
Cons
- Fees are higher compared to other schools
- First-time enrollees may have to compete for slots
Customer Reviews
I largely credit The Clover School for the experience and environment they’ve created
“The Clover School has cared for both my children for the past 4 years. I have personally found their staff have been extremely understanding of my (sometimes) “crazy schedule” at both home and work.
Both kids are turning into wonderful little human beings, and I largely credit The Clover School for the experience and environment they’ve created.” — Johnny, via Google
I couldn’t be more happy with our experience
“My son will be completing his first year in the primary program at the Midtown campus. He’s always been a shy and timid child, but the attention, patience and genuine care that the staff has shown him has really brought out his personality and confidence in the classroom. I couldn’t be more happy with our experience at The Clover School.” — Allie Diep, via Google
3. Westside Montessori School
| PROGRAMMES | ★★★★★ |
| TECHNIQUES | ★★★★★ |
| TEAM | ★★★★★ |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ |
The Montessori method was introduced by Maria Montessori over 100 years ago. This is where Westside Montessori School’s principles stem from.
Their location is pretty historic, with it being built in the 1880s and converted as the first publicly-funded child care centre in Canada in 1942. Since then, they decided to stick to the place’s legacy and continually improved their curriculum.
What we like most about this place is that individual lesson plans are developed for each student. This makes the experience more effective as each child is different, so bespoke methods are a smart way to go.
The lessons from Westside Montessori School include Montessori materials on art, music and French. Their casa programme is popular for preschool as this is where most 2- to 6-year-olds are, but parents can choose to enroll their child where they see fit.
They also have a toddler programme for the early development of very young children. A summer camp is also offered, which we find great given the activities that encourage children to learn as they play.
Rates are within the usual range, but admissions can be a little difficult. They have a waiting list and slots are usually full.
There isn’t anything that we find alarming. We do note that refunds reportedly take a while should you decide to withdraw.
Westside Montessori School is a great place to help your child hone their abilities and discover more about their skills. This school conducts one-on-one with children through their well-curated and personalised lessons and activities.
Pros
- Child care experience traces back to 1942
- Lesson plans are individually developed for each student
- Curriculum includes art, music, and French
- Location is very historic yet well-maintained
Cons
- Slots are usually full
- Refunds reportedly take a while
Customer Reviews
They deserve more than 5 stars!
“Our daughter Ariana went to Westside for 2 years before we moved away from Downtown Toronto. The Owners and Staff were just so delightful. I strongly recommend this School to any parents in downtown. They deserve more than 5 stars!” — Prakash Chand, via Google
4. Junior Academy
| PROGRAMMES | ★★★★★ |
| TECHNIQUES | ★★★★★ |
| TEAM | ★★★★★ |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ |
Junior Academy is an independent, co-ed, private school in Toronto that has been around since 1988. They strive to follow the principles of strength-based education and create an inclusive atmosphere for all students.
The best thing about this school is the overwhelming programme options they have.
Apart from the academic toddler and preschool programmes they offer, they also have progressive programmes for those who wish to try learning activities before formal education.
Progressive programmes include LEAP, which stands for Learners Engaged Actively in Projects and FLEX, which is all about friendship and social skills, learning skills, and executive functioning. They also have outdoor education and technology programmes.
Even occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services are offered here.
We note that one of the identities of this school is holding classes in small groups, usually with an average of 12 students per class. This enables the teachers to focus on each student while recognising their contributions and sharing things with the group.
We honestly don’t have anything we really dislike, but we note that tuition fees in this school are quite high. The admission procedure is a little more tedious than most as well, as they include classroom visits, observations, and others.
Overall, we find that Junior Academy is a great place for preschool education. Their range of programmes allows parents to choose and examine whatever activities are suitable for their children.
Pros
- Has been in the industry for more than 30 years
- Both academic and progressive programmes are available
- Offers occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services
- Only 12-14 students in one class
Cons
- Tuition fees are quite high
- Admission procedure takes more steps compared to other schools
Customer Reviews
Loving, caring, and supportive environment
“We had 2 children attend Junior Academy for several years and our entire family is so grateful to this school. The loving,caring, and supportive environment our kids experienced was beyond our expectations.
Teachers were very responsive and excellent at communicating with our family. I only wish they had a high school so we did not have to leave! :)” — Sarah Henderson, via Google
The teachers and staff do a great job
“Two of my children attend Junior Academy and are having an excellent school experience. They are thriving academically and socially.
The teachers and staff do a great job. We especially like the small classroom size and the curriculum.” — Samantha Juni, via Google
5. Uptown Yonge Preschool
| PROGRAMMES | ★★★★★ |
| TECHNIQUES | ★★★★☆ |
| TEAM | ★★★★★ |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ |
Voted as one of the top preschools in Toronto in 2021, Uptown Yonge Preschool has been around since 2006 and is focused on child-centred programming for children 18 months to 5 years. ‘
This school is solely dedicated to preschool programmes and education, but they have an after-school club for Grades 1 to 6 that offers a variety of exercises that are supplementary to daily activities.
We like this school simply because of their holistic approach and embrace for all cultures and beliefs. They allow parents to get involved in activities and even share some of their tips in child development.
Teachers from this school are registered early childhood educators and two are placed to monitor each class. Preschool classes usually consist of 16 children.
The programme usually starts inside the classroom until the students eventually step out and transfer to spaces where they can engage in painting, sand & water play, play dough, block building, art projects, and science activities.
We do note that their preschool class activities aren’t as unique or bespoke as other schools. The classes are scheduled and the programme has set activities for all enrollees.
Outside food is not permitted in the school, but they do serve children healthy snacks. Their tuition rates are within the usual range and the staff and team is very friendly.
Uptown Yonge Preschool is a good place if you want classes that are systematised and scheduled. If you’re a stage mom or dad, consider sitting in with your kid during lessons!
Pros
- Voted one of the 2021 top preschools in Toronto
- Holistic approach, allows parents to share child development tips
- Includes painting, play dough, block building, art projects, and science activities
Cons
- Techniques are not as bespoke compared to other schools
- Any outside food is not permitted
Customer Reviews
The best preschool in the North York area
“The best preschool in the North York area. My 4 year old joined the school in middle of the year when we moved from the states. The staff was super welcoming and caring. School director/owner (Tia) is highly flexible in accommodating your child’s needs and schedule. All the teachers are very knowledgeable and wonderful human beings.
My son is going to JK this September and he will miss the school and teachers…
Highly recommend the school!!!” — Tapsi Shukla, via Google
Staff are really passionate about working with children
“Incredible preschool and staff! My son is now in school but remembers his experience so fondly he asks to go back and visit every time we drive by.
You can tell the staff are really passionate about working with children and they do a wonderful job teaching different units each week and engaging the children. Definitely a warm and welcoming place for the early years.” — Nikki Lamb Tudico, via Google
6. The Creative Preschool of East Toronto
| PROGRAMS | ★★★★☆ |
| TECHNIQUES | ★★★★☆ |
| TEAM | ★★★★☆ |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ |
Based on their name, The Creative Preschool of East Toronto is all about harnessing a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through creative activities. The school has been around since 1979 and they are a non-profit centre.
Fees of this school are very affordable given their nature. We do note that their board of directors is made up of volunteer parents, so schools with licenced teachers are ahead of them in terms of staff.
On the bright side, The Creative Preschool of East Toronto made the cut given the school’s genuine intent to assist children in their formative years. Their dedication despite their humble reputation is worth the recognition.
Their programmes range from morning, afternoon, or full-day classes. Morning and afternoon sessions usually take 3 hours and full day programmes come with free hot lunch daily.
In terms of activities, this school has a good set of lessons. They stimulate language and math concepts in every activity and encourage critical thinking through small group interactions.
Problem-solving and self-discipline are at the forefront of the curriculum and the adults assist the children in every step. 3-4 adults are present in each class, which usually consists of 22 children.
While there isn’t anything alarming about this place, we can say that they can still improve their facilities. Their competitors have state-of-the-art spaces for learning and more advanced facilities, so this puts them behind.
Still, we believe that The Creative Preschool of East Toronto deserves to be among the top because they are committed to what they do. Many of their students come out happy and are able to learn from their programmes.
Pros
- 43 years’ experience in childhood development
- Very affordable fees
- Stimulates language and math concepts in every activity
- Encourages social skills through small group interactions
Cons
- Teachers are not licenced
- Facilities and other activities are not as innovative as their competitors’
Customer Reviews
Very positive environment
“Very positive environment. An excellent place for kids to learn. My daughter enjoys every single day she goes here.” — Ann Ng, via Google
I saw a huge improvement in my daughter’s social and emotional development
“Great environment. I saw a huge improvement in my daughter’s social and emotional development. Creative Preschool has the best teachers. Thanks Creative Preschool.” — Gisela Flores, via Google
FAQs on preschools in Toronto
And that wraps up our comprehensive review on the best preschools in Toronto. Would you know of other places? Share them with us below!
We also have a review of the best private schools in Toronto should you want to plan your child’s education early. You may read more about each of them here.
