Reviewed by the Bright Headstart Editorial Team — Early Childhood Education Researchers

Data based on 19 licensed providers sourced from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division and verified provider websites.

Brea childcare guide

Best daycare and preschools in Brea

Parents searching for daycare and preschool in Brea usually compare schedule flexibility, program philosophy, and tuition. This page combines 19 local listings, average tuition benchmarks, and parent decision advice so families can move from research to shortlist faster.

Public licensing data, provider-owned sites, and local tuition context in one place.

Listings

19 providers in Brea

Start with the most complete profiles, then narrow by tuition, program type, or schedule fit.

Refine this city

Filter schools in Brea by fit, budget, and schedule.

Use these controls to narrow the list before you start saving schools to your shortlist.

19schools match your current filters
CHILDTIME CHILDREN'S CENTER listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

CHILDTIME CHILDREN'S CENTER

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
Hours6:30AM-6:00PM
Ages2 YEARS- 6 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH-PRESCHOOL official photo
Preschool
Official photo

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH-PRESCHOOL

Brea, 92821

4.9(27 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 YEARS- 6 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
BOUSD- AROVISTA EARLY LEARNING CENTER official photo
Preschool
Official photo

BOUSD- AROVISTA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages3 YEARS- 5 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
BOUSD-MARIPOSA EARLY LEARNING CENTER official photo
Preschool
Official photo

BOUSD-MARIPOSA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages4 years - 4 years
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS- BREA INFANT CENTER official photo
Daycare
Official photo

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS- BREA INFANT CENTER

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursMon-Fri 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Ages24 months
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed infant center
REFINERY PRESCHOOL listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

REFINERY PRESCHOOL

Brea, 92821

4.1(26 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages36 months - 6 years
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
CC'S LEARNING CENTER listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

CC'S LEARNING CENTER

Brea, 92821

4.6(9 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 YEARS- 5 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
YANEZ, MARIA listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

YANEZ, MARIA

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesInfant to school-age
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed family child care home
FUTURE MINDS MONTESSORI listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

FUTURE MINDS MONTESSORI

Brea, 92821

4.6(13 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 YEARS- 6 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS-BREA PRESCHOOL listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS-BREA PRESCHOOL

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 YEARS- 6 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
YOO, SU YOUL listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

YOO, SU YOUL

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesInfant to school-age
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed family child care home
BOUSD - OLINDA EARLY LEARNING CENTER listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

BOUSD - OLINDA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
Hours7:00 AM-6:00 PM
Ages3 YEARS- 5 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
BOUSD- LAUREL EARLY LEARNING CENTER listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

BOUSD- LAUREL EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
Hours7:00AM-6:00PM
Ages3 YEARS- 5 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
MONTESSORI OF BREA listing artwork
Daycare
Bright Headstart

MONTESSORI OF BREA

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
Hours7:00AM-6:00PM
AgesMixed ages
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed child care center
BREA HEAD START listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

BREA HEAD START

Brea, 92821

5.0(2 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages5 years - 5 years
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
GODINEZ, MARIA listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

GODINEZ, MARIA

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesInfant to school-age
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed family child care home
HANCOCK, LAURA ANN listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

HANCOCK, LAURA ANN

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesInfant to school-age
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed family child care home
KIM, HYUN & KIM, ERIN listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

KIM, HYUN & KIM, ERIN

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesInfant to school-age
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed family child care home
MARTINEZ, MACKENZIE listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

MARTINEZ, MACKENZIE

Brea, 92821

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesInfant to school-age
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed family child care home

Provider comparison

Compare daycare and preschool tuition in Brea

Side-by-side comparison of 10 providers sorted by monthly tuition, sourced from CDSS licensing data and verified provider websites.

Comparisons

How families compare schools in Brea

These notes highlight the practical details families usually compare before they book tours.

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS- BREA INFANT CENTER

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS- BREA INFANT CENTER is best for families who value licensed infant center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH-PRESCHOOL

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH-PRESCHOOL is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

CHILDTIME CHILDREN'S CENTER

CHILDTIME CHILDREN'S CENTER is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

BOUSD- AROVISTA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

BOUSD- AROVISTA EARLY LEARNING CENTER is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

BOUSD-MARIPOSA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

BOUSD-MARIPOSA EARLY LEARNING CENTER is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

BOUSD - OLINDA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

BOUSD - OLINDA EARLY LEARNING CENTER is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

BOUSD- LAUREL EARLY LEARNING CENTER

BOUSD- LAUREL EARLY LEARNING CENTER is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

MONTESSORI OF BREA

MONTESSORI OF BREA is best for families who value licensed child care center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

REFINERY PRESCHOOL

REFINERY PRESCHOOL is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

CC'S LEARNING CENTER

CC'S LEARNING CENTER is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

FUTURE MINDS MONTESSORI

FUTURE MINDS MONTESSORI is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS-BREA PRESCHOOL

HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS-BREA PRESCHOOL is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

BREA HEAD START

BREA HEAD START is best for families who value licensed preschool center learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

YANEZ, MARIA

YANEZ, MARIA is best for families who value licensed family child care home learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

YOO, SU YOUL

YOO, SU YOUL is best for families who value licensed family child care home learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

GODINEZ, MARIA

GODINEZ, MARIA is best for families who value licensed family child care home learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

HANCOCK, LAURA ANN

HANCOCK, LAURA ANN is best for families who value licensed family child care home learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

KIM, HYUN & KIM, ERIN

KIM, HYUN & KIM, ERIN is best for families who value licensed family child care home learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

MARTINEZ, MACKENZIE

MARTINEZ, MACKENZIE is best for families who value licensed family child care home learning, structured indoor programming, and publicly posted pricing details to verify directly with the school.

Budget context

How Brea compares on tuition

This helps families understand whether this city feels lower-cost, middle-of-the-pack, or more premium before they open lots of school profiles.

Brea monthly tuition snapshot

Families here often see monthly tuition around $1,395 to $1,710, compared with a county-wide average of $1,381 to $1,713. Based on 19 licensed providers in Brea tracked via CDSS records.

Balanced city

Brea currently reads as a balanced market based on the tuition ranges we can compare across Orange County.

Compare Orange County tuition

If you want lower-cost nearby options

Families often also compare Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Santa Ana when they want to widen the search.

FAQ

Parent questions about childcare in Brea

These are some of the most common questions families ask when narrowing options in this city.

How much does preschool cost in Brea?

Families in Brea typically see preschool tuition around $1395 per month, based on 19 licensed providers tracked by Bright Headstart. Premium or specialized programs such as Montessori and language immersion may run higher.

How much does infant daycare cost in Brea?

Average infant daycare tuition in Brea is approximately $1710 per month. Infant care is generally 15-25% more expensive than preschool-age care due to lower required caregiver-to-child ratios.

What should parents compare when choosing daycare in Brea?

Focus on five factors: caregiver-to-child ratios, licensing inspection history (available on CDSS), tuition transparency, schedule flexibility including drop-off and pickup windows, and teaching philosophy such as play-based, Montessori, or academic.

What age do children start preschool in Brea?

Most preschool programs in Orange County accept children starting at age 2.5 to 3 years old. Some programs offer toddler rooms starting at 18 months. Infant daycare programs typically begin at 6 weeks to 6 months depending on the facility license.

How long are daycare waitlists in Brea?

Waitlists in Brea vary by program popularity and time of year. Popular Montessori and language-immersion programs may have waitlists of 3-6 months. Starting your search 4-6 months before your desired enrollment date is recommended.

Are there subsidized childcare options in Brea?

Yes. Orange County families may qualify for subsidized care through California's Alternative Payment Program, Head Start, or state-funded preschool (CSPP). Eligibility is based on household income and family size. Contact the Orange County Child Care Coordination office at 714-543-2273 for details.

What is the difference between daycare and preschool in Brea?

Daycare typically refers to full-day care programs (often 7 AM to 6 PM) focused on supervision and development for infants through school age. Preschool programs emphasize structured early education curricula for children ages 2.5 to 5, and may operate on part-day or full-day schedules.

Parent guides

Guides for Brea families

Read these before you tour. They cover cost, licensing, and what to ask.

Explore next

Keep exploring childcare in Brea

These links help families move between guides, rankings, and school profiles as they narrow their options.

Take the preschool match quiz

Get ranked recommendations for your family based on age, budget, location, and schedule preferences.

Start the quiz

Compare county-wide options

See how this city fits into the broader Orange County preschool and daycare landscape.

Open the county guide

Browse by program style

Parents often switch between city pages and philosophy pages before booking tours.

Explore preschool programs