Best Preschools in Raleigh

Beth Meyer Preschool in Raleigh is part of a conservative Jewish synagogue and has been providing early childhood education since 1989. The school's philosophy is to nurture children by focusing on their intellectual, creative, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual development. Programs are available for children aged 12 months through junior kindergarten. Special emphasis is placed on fostering students' sense of independence, cooperation, and self-esteem.

Bridges & Beyond Preschool is a Wake Forest school featuring an intimate setting with low teacher-to-student ratios. Teachers and staff believe that children learn best through play and exploration, and provide ample opportunities to enhance learning through both activities. Children of ages two through five are accepted for programs twice a week, three times a week, and five days a week. Transitional kindergarten for four and five-year-olds is also available Monday through Friday. Tuition is priced based on program selection and number of days per week.

Discovery Child Development Center is a project-based preschool in Morrisville accepting children of two years of age and up. The school is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Children are seen as active learners with individual interests that should be explored and nurtured. Teaching is done through projects selected by the students themselves, thereby giving them ownership of their own learning. Programs offered include language arts, math, science and social studies, music and movement, art, Spanish, and technology. Parents can schedule school tours online.

Family Preschool is a "cooperative, play-based, half-day preschool" in Durham accepting children of ages one through four. The preschool is non-profit and non-sectarian and is located on the campus of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The school was founded in 1970 and is governed by a board of directors made up of parents. The school is also a parent-run cooperative, so families are actively involved in contributing their time, skills, and expertise to make sure students learn and thrive. Monthly tuition is priced according to age, and there is also an annual enrollment fee. Limited scholarships are available for families who demonstrate financial need.

Hillel Preschool offers a "five-star Jewish education" in Raleigh, focusing on creating an engaging environment to help children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills. The school's main philosophy is "self-expression in a group format," where students' individuality and unique personalities are nurtured. Each classroom features two accredited teachers who design curricula to cater to each student's developmental pace. The school also places a special emphasis on Jewish culture and religion, teaching children about the Torah, and Israel. Hebrew is introduced through song, simple conversation, and games. The admissions process includes application forms, a school visit, an application review performed by the school, and final notification.

Hope Valley Preschool in Durham accepts children aged six weeks through five years old. The school is a member of the Duke Child Care Partnership and strives to create an environment where learning takes place through discovery and exploration. Classrooms are suited to students' level of development with age-appropriate expectations. Programs offered include the Active Learning Series, the Creative Curriculum, and the Infant-Toddler Planning Guide. Preschoolers engage in activities such as exploring animals and plants, journal writing, creating and reading simple graphs, learning number names, counting, and the scientific method of inquiry through experiments and observation.

With a staff holding over 30 years of combined experience, Primary Beginnings is a preschool serving the Raleigh, North Carolina, metro area. It offers programs to children ranging from infancy to fifth grade. After school programs are available in conjunction with tutoring services, as well as a summer camp program. Outside of strictly academic work, Primary beginnings offers extracurricular activities designed to increase physical and mental capabilities, as well as the child's social skills.

Saint Raphael Preschool is a Raleigh-based preschool that aims to provide early school experience through a nurturing environment. It has been offering learning opportunities for children as early as two years old since 1979. Its students can play, learn, and interact with other students while discovering and understanding their interests and goals. Its classrooms promote experiential learning by using art resources, block building, dramatic play, puzzles, math, and science. In addition, the preschool integrates faith education with its early childhood curriculum.

Triangle Academy Preschool in Cary strives to offer a "unique, child-centered, academically enriched program in a safe, nurturing environment." Teachers and staff place special emphasis on the social, emotional, and cognitive development of each student. The school was founded in 1999, accepts children aged two through five, and has a maximum enrollment of 150 students at any given time. A range of programs includes half-day options for two, three, and four-year-olds, transitional kindergarten, full day programs for students whose parents work full-time, before school care as early as 7:30 am, and summer camps during the months of June, July, and August.

Triangle Montessori Academy is a Cary preschool emphasizing art, mathematics, practical life, Spanish, yoga, mediation, and music. The private, year-round school was founded in 2008 and accepts children from 18 months old up to six years old. The school is a member of the American Montessori Society and all teachers are AMS-certified. Students at the school are exposed to Montessori-style teaching approaches, including individual learning according to each child's style and pace, multi-age classrooms that allow children to advance when they are ready, and a nurturing of students' natural curiosity.

Wake Forest Montessori is an academically-focused Wake Forest preschool adhering to the principles of imagination, inquiry, invention, implementation, and initiative. The school features a student-directed education system and prepares students for transition into elementary school. The Montessori method emphasizes an approach whereby children's natural interests are nurtured through sensorial exploration of the world. Limited scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available for low-income families.