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Tuition
At The Children’s Place, we are proud to offer the most affordable full-time childcare in San Carlos—and to be the city’s only nonprofit preschool. Founded in 1981 to support two-parent working families in the San Carlos community, we’ve remained deeply committed to making high-quality early education accessible for over four decades.
We are also the only childcare center in San Carlos approved to accept subsidized care through the 4Cs of San Mateo County, helping more families access the support they need.
Because we own our property and operate as a nonprofit, we’re able to keep tuition increases modest while continuing to invest directly in our experienced staff, enriching play-based program, and safe, welcoming facility. Our priority is—and always has been—the well-being and development of your child.
We’re honored to continue serving local families with reliable, nurturing, and affordable care.
Owl Class Tuition Rate (children aged 2 to young 3's):
At The Children’s Place, we believe that every stage of early childhood deserves the same level of care and support—without extra fees. That’s why we never charge additional fees for diapering or potty training. These are natural parts of development, and we’re here to support your child through them with patience, encouragement, and consistency.
Our tuition for two-year-old care is slightly higher due to the increased level of attention and care this age group requires. We proudly maintain a low teacher-to-child ratio of 1:4 (or better) for our two-year-olds, ensuring each child receives the one-on-one support they need to thrive during this important developmental stage. This lower ratio allows us to provide individualized care, foster strong relationships, and better support milestones like potty training, social-emotional development, and communication skills.
We’re committed to providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate care—without hidden fees.
Owl Class Tuition Rates:
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Full Time (5 days a week) care: $2,250.00 per month
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Three Day (M, W, F) care: $1,950.00 per month
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Two Day (T, Th) Care: $1,650 per month
Preschool Tuition Rates (Orca and Penguin Classes):
Our preschool program follows a play-based learning model, grounded in the belief that young children learn best through hands-on exploration, creativity, and meaningful social interactions. Our classrooms are designed to inspire curiosity, foster independence, and support the whole child.
We offer two preschool classes tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage:
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Orca Class (Young 3's)
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Penguin Class (Pre-K & Older 3's & 4's)
Both classes provide full-time care in a nurturing, engaging environment where children build the foundational skills they need for kindergarten and beyond. Our experienced educators thoughtfully guide early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional development—all through the lens of play.
Orca and Penguin Class Tuition Rates:
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Full Time (5 days a week) care: $1,950.00 per month
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Three Day (M, W, F) care: $1,600.00 per month
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Two Day (T, Th) Care: $1,350 per month
*Children must be potty trained to be promoted to the Orca class. (Naptime pull up's are permitted.)
Come See the Difference!
We invite you to visit The Children’s Place and experience our warm, play-based environment firsthand. Touring our campus is the best way to see our classrooms in action, meet our dedicated teachers, and learn how we support your child’s growth every step of the way.