Preschool tuition is one of the biggest line items a young family faces, and in California the sticker shock is real. The good news: there are more free and subsidized paths than most parents realize. Here’s what preschool actually costs in California, which programs can bring that number down to zero, and where to find help near Temecula.

Average Preschool Cost in California

California is one of the most expensive states in the country for early care. An Economic Policy Institute analysis found that care for a four-year-old runs about $13,020 a year on average, while infant care tops $22,000. For perspective, that same analysis noted average in-state tuition at a public four-year college is around $8,786 — so a year of preschool can cost more than a year of college.

Private preschool tuition varies widely by program and area, commonly landing somewhere between $700 and $1,500 a month for full-time care. Where you live matters a lot. Costs run higher in the Bay Area and lower in inland regions, but no corner of California is truly cheap.

That’s the full-price picture. Now the part that helps.

Free & Public Options (State Preschool, Head Start)

California has spent years building out free early education, and two long-standing programs anchor it:

  • California State Preschool Program (CSPP): State-funded preschool for eligible three- and four-year-olds. Families can qualify with incomes up to 100 percent of the state median income, which covers a lot more households than people assume.
  • Head Start: A federally funded program for children from birth to age five in low-income families. It’s income-based (tied to the federal poverty guidelines) and bundles in health, nutrition, and family support alongside preschool.

Both are free to families who qualify. They fill up, so applying early helps.

TK — A Free Public Option for Four-Year-Olds

If your child is four, the single biggest change in California is transitional kindergarten. TK is now a free public grade open to every four-year-old, no income limits. The 2025–26 school year was the final phase-in, so for 2026–27 any child who turns four by September 1 qualifies. It’s a full year of kindergarten readiness at no tuition cost through your local district. For many families, TK is the answer to the “how do we afford this?” question — at least for the four-year-old year.

Subsidies & Assistance (CalWORKs, Vouchers, Riverside County)

Beyond the free programs, California subsidizes care through vouchers and payment programs, and here in Riverside County the local office of education runs several:

  • CalWORKs Child Care: A three-stage program for families receiving or transitioning off CalWORKs cash aid. Stage 3 has no time limit as long as you keep meeting age and income rules, and it covers children up to age 13.
  • Alternative Payment Program (APP): Subsidized care for income-eligible families through the Riverside County Office of Education. For 2026–27, the income threshold is 85 percent of the state median income — for a family of four, up to about $115,637 a year.

These programs let you use the licensed provider you choose, and Riverside County keeps an eligibility list. You can start an application through the Riverside County Office of Education or call them at (800) 442-4927.

Tuition & Assistance at ABC

At ABC Child Care, we’ve helped Temecula Valley families sort through these options for more than 40 years. Our preschool program welcomes children from infancy through school age, and we’re glad to talk through how subsidies, vouchers, and our own tuition options fit your situation. Start with our grants & tuition assistance resources, then schedule a tour so we can answer your questions in person.

FAQ

Is preschool free in California?

It can be. Transitional kindergarten is now a free public grade for all four-year-olds statewide, with no income limits. For three-year-olds and income-eligible families, the California State Preschool Program and Head Start offer free or very low-cost spots. Private preschool is tuition-based, but families may qualify for subsidies like the Alternative Payment Program or CalWORKs child care that cover part or all of the cost. Whether preschool is free for your family depends on your child’s age, your income, and which programs have openings.

How much does preschool cost in California per month?

Full-time private preschool commonly runs between $700 and $1,500 a month, though it varies by region and program. Annually, care for a four-year-old averages around $13,020 statewide, per an Economic Policy Institute analysis. Inland areas like Riverside County tend to sit below coastal-metro prices. If that range feels out of reach, check your eligibility for free TK, state preschool, Head Start, or a subsidy program before assuming you’ll pay full tuition.

How do I get help paying for preschool near Temecula?

Start with the Riverside County Office of Education, which administers subsidized programs including the Alternative Payment Program and CalWORKs child care. For 2026–27, APP income eligibility is set at 85 percent of the state median income. You can apply online or by phone at (800) 442-4927. It’s also worth asking your preschool directly about tuition assistance — at ABC, we’re happy to walk families through the options that apply to them.

Sources

  1. California four-year-old care averages $13,020/year; infant care over $22,000; college tuition ~$8,786; child care costs more than college — Economic Policy Institute analysis, via LAist — https://laist.com/news/education/early-childhood-education-pre-k/childcare-costs-more-than-college-in-california-report-says
  2. Private preschool monthly range ($700–$1,500) and regional variation — Winnie, How much does preschool cost — https://winnie.com/resources/how-much-does-preschool-cost
  3. California State Preschool Program serves income-eligible 3- and 4-year-olds up to 100% of state median income; Head Start income-based, birth to age five — Kids1st, California Free Preschool Guide — https://kids1st.org/california-free-preschool-guide/
  4. Universal TK final phase-in 2025–26; free public grade for all four-year-olds who turn four by September 1 — California Budget & Policy Center — https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/how-california-is-expanding-transitional-kindergarten/
  5. CalWORKs Child Care three-stage structure; Stage 3 no time limit; serves children 0–13 — California Department of Social Services — https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calworks-child-care
  6. Riverside County child care assistance (Alternative Payment Program, CalWORKs Stages 2 & 3); 2026–27 threshold 85% of state median income (~$115,637 for family of four); apply at (800) 442-4927 — Riverside County Office of Education — https://www.rcoe.us/programs/child-care-and-pre-k-education/early-care-and-education/child-care-assistance/