Montecito Preschool

Montecito Preschool offers preschool classes for children ages 2 years through Kindergarten age, with part-time morning sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., afternoon sessions from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., and full-time sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. It also offers year-round drop-in and back-up/extended stay care from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including during school breaks and summer.

Programs

• Preschool Classes — Children ages 2 years through Kindergarten age (approximately five years old); classes are available for children ages 2 years through Kindergarten age (approximately five years old). · Part-time and full-time sessions; part-time morning sessions 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; afternoon sessions 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.; full-time sessions 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Drop-In and Back-Up/Extended Stay Program — Children must be at least 11 years old; available to preschoolers and elementary children; children must be at least 2 years old and not yet entered 6th grade (approximately 11 years old) for Montecito’s Enrichment programs. · Year-round daily; available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; during school breaks and summer, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

At a glance

• Ages: 2–11 years old
• General schedule: Year-round daily drop-in and back-up/extended stay programs are available; school breaks and summer drop-in and back-up/extended stay are also available.
• Facility hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

About the provider

Montecito Preschool has taught children in Los Altos since 1960. The leadership team includes Miss Erin, Erin Mobley, Dipali Prabhu, Tammy Franchi, and Michelle Von Jaeger. Its mission is to provide little ones with an academic setting that makes learning organic and fun. Santa Clara Community Care Licensing and County Health department representatives described the campus as "IDEAL" for healthy preschools in the Bay Area. The school says it caters to up to 350 families each year and teaches anti-bias while modeling love, inclusion, and acceptance.

Children direct their own learning. Curriculum is developmentally appropriate, academic, emergent, developmental, play-based, skill based, observation-based, intentional, culturally inclusive, meaningful, and adapted to meet children’s needs. Safety of children is their #1 priority. September 1st is used as a cut-off date for each age group. No advance sign-up is required for drop-in care. Prepaid Hours never expire, are transferable from one year to the next, may be purchased at any time with no minimum purchase required, and are non-refundable.

What families say

“My son attended this school for 2 years. He loved it and the teachers were great. The atmosphere is beautiful. It is a play-based school with a lot of outside time and time to be creative.” — Montecito Parent

“Montecito has been my family's home for the past 3 years. My oldest daughter went here for 3 years and my youngest is in her 2nd year here, and we love it.” — Katie B.

“If you are looking for a play-based preschool with a great outdoor space, look no further! Our child loves the large bike area, wide range of well-planned activities, and all of the animals.” — C.B.

Last updated September 18, 2026.