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

Data based on 8 licensed providers sourced from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division and verified provider websites.

Dana Point childcare guide

Best daycare and preschools in Dana Point

Parents searching for daycare and preschool in Dana Point usually compare schedule flexibility, program philosophy, and tuition. This page combines 8 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

8 providers in Dana Point

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

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Filter schools in Dana Point by fit, budget, and schedule.

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

8schools match your current filters
KEOUGH-SOMMA, GINA listing artwork
Home Daycare
Bright Headstart

KEOUGH-SOMMA, GINA

Dana Point, 92629

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

DANA MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Dana Point, 92629

4.9(16 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 YEARS- 6 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Dana Point, 92629

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages3 YEARS- 5 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL

Dana Point, 92629

4.8(37 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 YRS- 6 YRS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
DANA POINT MONTESSORI listing artwork
Daycare
Bright Headstart

DANA POINT MONTESSORI

Dana Point, 92629

4.9(17 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
Hours7:30AM-5:30PM
Ages0 MONTHS- 24 MONTHS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed child care center
MONARCH BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

MONARCH BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY

Dana Point, 92629

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2 MO- 5 MO
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PRESCHOOL listing artwork
Preschool
Bright Headstart

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PRESCHOOL

Dana Point, 92629

PublicVerified listing
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
Ages2.6 YEARS- 5 YEARS
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed preschool center
NOBIS PRESCHOOL listing artwork
Daycare
Bright Headstart

NOBIS PRESCHOOL

Dana Point, 92624

4.8(4 reviews)
TuitionCheck school directly
HoursHours not listed publicly
AgesMixed ages
LanguagesLanguage details not listed
Licensed child care center

Provider comparison

Compare daycare and preschool tuition in Dana Point

Side-by-side comparison of 8 providers sorted by monthly tuition, sourced from CDSS licensing data and verified provider websites.

Comparisons

How families compare schools in Dana Point

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

DANA POINT MONTESSORI

DANA POINT MONTESSORI 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.

DANA MONTESSORI SCHOOL

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

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

EARLY CHILDHOOD 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.

GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL

GLORIA DEI 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.

MONARCH BAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY

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

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PRESCHOOL

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR 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.

NOBIS PRESCHOOL

NOBIS PRESCHOOL 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.

KEOUGH-SOMMA, GINA

KEOUGH-SOMMA, GINA 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 Dana Point 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.

Dana Point monthly tuition snapshot

Families here often see monthly tuition around $1,515 to $1,880, compared with a county-wide average of $1,381 to $1,713. Based on 8 licensed providers in Dana Point tracked via CDSS records.

Premium city

Dana Point currently reads as a premium 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 Dana Point

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

How much does preschool cost in Dana Point?

Families in Dana Point typically see preschool tuition around $1515 per month, based on 8 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 Dana Point?

Average infant daycare tuition in Dana Point is approximately $1880 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 Dana Point?

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 Dana Point?

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 Dana Point?

Waitlists in Dana Point 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 Dana Point?

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 Dana Point?

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 Dana Point families

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

Explore next

Keep exploring childcare in Dana Point

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

Take the preschool match quiz

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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.

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