Guide to Albuquerque Area Preschools and Childcare

Choosing the right preschool is a big step, and we know how important it is to find a place where your child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn. There are so many options, and the choice can feel overwhelming. Our Guide to Albuquerque Preschools is a comprehensive resource that will simplify this process and help you find the perfect fit for your family!

Whether you’re looking to get your kiddo prepared for kindergarten or want to increase their social network and build routines, there’s a great preschool for you. Maybe even in your part of town! Check out the info below and make sure to stop by one of the open houses for a more in-depth look at your school of choice.

The Montessori Method is an educational philosophy that begins at birth, emphasizing the holistic development of the child—physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. At Montessori ONE Academy, students embark on an individualized and experiential learning journey tailored to their unique needs, curiosity, and interests. This approach fosters a lifelong love of learning, as children progress at their own pace, free from the constraints of grade-level curricula. Here, school becomes an exciting and joyful adventure.

A distinctive feature of Montessori ONE Academy is its partnership with AMARAN Senior Living and Memory Care. Through this collaboration, students engage with seniors in meaningful activities that nurture and enrich both generations.

Parents appreciate the Academy’s diverse and inclusive community, featuring teachers from around the globe, multicultural summer programs, convenient on-site before-and-after care, and engaging extracurricular opportunities. The Academy’s rich curriculum and supportive atmosphere empower children to thrive.

Founded in 2007, Montessori ONE Academy is the only AMI-recognized (Association Montessori International/USA) Montessori school in New Mexico. Serving infants, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children, the Academy inspires students to explore, investigate, and satisfy their natural curiosity about the world.

Discover the Montessori ONE Academy difference—schedule a tour today!

Earning the distinction as one of the “Top 5 Preschools in Albuquerque” for the second time in four years in recent Abq Journal Reader’s Choice Awards, we welcome you to Congregation Albert’s Early Childhood Center, established in 1982. Their 5 Star FOCUS preschool/kindergarten strives to make your child’s first school experience a happy and secure one.

Offering a positive foundation for all future learning, they help in creating that joyful, lifelong learner, where students learn that education is both fun and important. They believe in sustaining a culture of inquiry, with experienced, licensed early childhood educators who partner with families and children, and where together they listen, wonder, and reflect.

Committed to providing an emergent and inspiring learning environment for a diverse population of young learners, they offer classes for two through five year olds and an accredited kindergarten, where they gently integrate Jewish values, culture, and holidays.

They are play-based and child-centered in their approach, supporting the uniqueness of students and families. Joyfully, they welcome all families and all faiths. Call and inquire about full or part time choices. Limited scholarships may be available. Come learn, play and grow with them!

The love of God and joyful learning flourish at St. Luke Preschool—a faith-based, 5-star, NAEYC-accredited school that has proudly served the Albuquerque community for 70 years!

Welcoming children ages 2–5, St. Luke offers both full- and part-time schedules, partnering with families to nurture each child’s unique needs and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Their dedicated teachers design developmentally appropriate play-based experiences that encourage exploration, growth, and discovery. With low student-to-teacher ratios, St. Luke creates caring communities of learners where children can thrive.

Schedule a tour to experience the warmth of St. Luke Preschool for yourself! You’ll be welcomed into their vibrant classrooms, meet their incredible staff, see their programs in action, and learn about preschool options tailored to your family’s needs.

Christina Kent Early Childhood Center is rooted in our community, founded in 1919 to serve Downtown Albuquerque with family focused child care.

Choosing child care is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. At Christina Kent Early Childhood Center (CKECC), families find more than a program—they find a place that feels deeply connected to the children and families it serves.

CKECC is a community-based early childhood center grounded in relationships, respect, and responsiveness. Inspired by Reggio Emilia principles, children are seen as capable, curious learners whose ideas matter. Teachers carefully observe children’s interests and use them to guide projects, conversations, and learning experiences. Art, storytelling, building, and exploration are not extras here—they are essential languages children use to express themselves and make sense of the world.

Classrooms feel calm, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed, with natural materials and open-ended spaces that invite curiosity. Learning often happens in small moments: a group of children studying shadows on the playground, a conversation sparked by a story, or a collaborative block structure that turns into a weeks-long project.

Relationships are at the heart of everything. Teachers take time to truly know each child and family, creating a sense of safety and belonging that allows children to thrive. Social-emotional learning is woven into the day, helping children build empathy, confidence, and problem-solving skills through respectful guidance rather than punishment.

CKECC is proud to serve local families and to be part of the fabric of the community. Families are welcomed as partners, voices are valued, and inclusion is intentional. Parents often say what stands out most is how deeply their child is known—and how supported they feel as a family.

At Christina Kent Early Childhood Center, children are honored, learning is meaningful, and community comes first.

At Cross of Hope Preschool, they provide a warm, nurturing environment where young children thrive. Their small class sizes allow teachers to build strong relationships with each child, supporting growth academically, socially, and emotionally through hands-on learning and purposeful play.

They are proud to hold a 5 Star FOCUS rating, the highest mark of quality, and to be nationally accredited through ACSI, reflecting their commitment to excellence, high standards, and a strong faith-based foundation.

At Cross of Hope, families are partners, children are known and valued, and learning is filled with joy. They invite you to discover a preschool where quality, care, and community come together to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

For many children, ACS provides their first experience in a Christian academic community. Within a loving and safe environment, children begin to learn about God’s love while embarking on their educational journey.

Infants (6 weeks and up): Licensed to care for infants as young as 6 weeks, ACS offers the Lamb Club, an ideal program for growing babies to meet key developmental milestones, including physical, cognitive, language/communication, and social/emotional skills. With a 1:4 teacher-to-child ratio, this nurturing environment ensures each child receives individualized care and attention.

PK2 Program: Designed to help children begin their early academic journey, this program encourages learning, thinking, and problem-solving through play and exploration. The safe, supportive classroom environment allows children to navigate the world around them with confidence, and teachers collaborate with families to support home potty training practices. The PK2 program maintains a 1:6 teacher-to-child ratio.

PreK3-4 Program: PreK students experience a rich variety of activities that combine fun and learning, including exciting field trips to the pumpkin patch, aquarium, and zoo. This early childhood development-focused preschool continually demonstrates remarkable stories of growth, preparing students with the skills and readiness they need for elementary school.

Sandoval Academy of Bilingual Education offers a distinctive dual-language program that intentionally integrates language, culture, and enrichment into daily learning.

Students thrive in an engaging environment where learning a second language supports cognitive development, bilingualism, and the growth of the whole child. Through meaningful instruction and strong cultural connections, SABE empowers scholars to become confident, capable learners prepared for academic success and a global future.

SABE is a tuition-free state charter school serving students from Pre-K through eighth grade, providing transportation and free breakfast and lunch. No prior bilingual experience is required. Join us at one of our open houses to experience SABE!

Your Child’s Bright Future Starts Here with YDI Head Start! Give your child the advantage of a free, high-quality early education in a nurturing, stimulating environment.

Our expert teachers use proven methods to foster your child’s social, emotional, and academic growth. We partner with your whole family, providing health screenings, nutritious meals, and parenting support to build a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Your child’s potential is our mission. See if you qualify and start your pre-application today!

Southwest Child Care Early Learning Centers is proud to celebrate 40 years of serving the families in Albuquerque. They are licensed 5-Star centers offering nationally accredited programs, with three convenient locations designed to meet your family’s child care needs.

Their goal is to create an environment of imagination and creativity and allow children to learn by doing, i.e. to actively experience as many things around them as possible. They place an emphasis on the process of an activity rather than the finished product, and encourage the children to be as independent as possible.

Every student who graduates from Christ Lutheran School will be academically and spiritually prepared to engage the world with Jesus Christ. In other words, they are all about: “Training minds, shaping hearts and transforming lives to engage the world with Jesus Christ!”

Now Enrolling at Wild at Learning!

Located in the Northeast Heights at 3107 Eubank Blvd NE Ste 33, Wild at Learning is a newly licensed preschool serving children ages 3–5. We offer part-time (8:00 AM–12:00 PM) and full-time (8:00 AM–3:00 PM) options, Monday through Friday.

Our mission is to nurture strong, capable learners by inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in a safe, structured, and inclusive environment. We believe children learn best through hands-on exploration, meaningful relationships, and consistent routines that build independence and kindergarten readiness.

What makes us different?

• Play-based, child-led curriculum aligned with NM Early Learning Guidelines
• Intentional small-group instruction and daily outdoor learning
• Clear policies that prioritize safety, structure, and family partnership
• Open-door communication and strong social-emotional focus

If you’re looking for a preschool that balances creativity with structure and truly partners with families, we’d love to meet you.

Schedule a tour today: [email protected] | 505-289-0403