Preschools in Darien, CT

5 Pros

Find trusted preschool providers in Darien, Fairfield County. Browse 5 verified preschools, compare ratings, and read parent reviews.

Preschool Market in Darien

Typical Range

$800-$1800 per month

Avg Project

$1,200

Contractors

Half-day programs cost roughly half of full-day. Montessori programs run higher.

Verified Listings|All 5 providers verified through Google Business Profiles|Call directly — we never sell your info

All Preschools (5)

FIRST CONG CHURCH DARIEN NURSERY SCHOOLVerified

5.0★1 reviews

Licensed ✓

FIRST CONG CHURCH DARIEN NURSERY SCHOOL is a licensed child care center in DARIEN, CT with a capacity of 128 children. Accepts ages 18 months to 5 years. License verified and active through 2029. This early education program offers kindergarten readiness curriculum.

Infant and toddler care

(203) 655-3150

Is this your business?

METHODIST FAMILY CENTER PRESCHOOLVerified

5.0★8 reviews

Licensed ✓

METHODIST FAMILY CENTER PRESCHOOL is a licensed child care center in DARIEN, CT with a capacity of 80 children. Accepts ages 18 months to 5 years. License verified and active through 2026. Rated 5 stars based on 8 Google reviews. This early education program offers kindergarten readiness curriculum.

Infant and toddler care

(203) 655-7407

Is this your business?

ST JOHN PRE SCHOOLVerified

0.0★0 reviews

Licensed ✓

ST JOHN PRE SCHOOL is a licensed child care center in DARIEN, CT with a capacity of 58 children. Accepts ages 18 months to 5 years. License verified and active through 2030. This early education program offers kindergarten readiness curriculum.

Infant and toddler care

(203) 656-0548

Is this your business?

Find Childcare

Tell us what you need and Darien preschool providers will reach out.

Find Childcare

Connect with verified providers

ST THOMAS MORE HAPPINESS PRESCHOOLVerified

0.0★0 reviews

Licensed ✓

ST THOMAS MORE HAPPINESS PRESCHOOL is a licensed child care center in DARIEN, CT with a capacity of 106 children. Accepts ages 18 months to 5 years. License verified and active through 2029. This early education program offers early literacy and math foundations.

Infant and toddler care

(203) 655-6053

Is this your business?

NOROTON PRESBYTERIAN NURSERY SCHOOLVerified

0.0★0 reviews

Licensed ✓

NOROTON PRESBYTERIAN NURSERY SCHOOL is a licensed child care center in DARIEN, CT with a capacity of 137 children. Accepts ages 2 years to 5 years. License verified and active through 2029. This early education program offers social-emotional development activities.

Infant and toddler care

(203) 655-3223

Is this your business?

Childcare Licensing in Darien

CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC) — Licensing Division

(860) 500-4412|Official Website

Licensing typically required. Most preschool providers in Darien must be licensed by the state. Verify that any provider you consider holds a current, valid license before enrolling your child.

All childcare providers in Fairfield County must be licensed by the CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC). Licensing types include Child Care Center, Group Child Care Home, and Family Child Care Home. Requirements include OEC licensing application, background checks (state and federal), health inspection, fire marshal approval, CPR/First Aid certification, and compliance with CT Early Learning and Development Standards. Verify any provider's license at elicense.ct.gov. Nanny agencies and private tutors are not required to hold state licenses in Connecticut.

Frequently Asked Questions

1How much does preschool cost in Darien?

Preschool in Darien costs $800-$1800 per month. Half-day programs cost roughly half of full-day. Montessori programs run higher. Some programs offer financial aid or sliding-scale tuition based on family income. Half-day programs (typically 8am-12pm) cost roughly half of full-day tuition.

2What age should my child start preschool?

Most preschools in Darien and Fairfield County accept children ages 3-5. Some offer pre-K programs starting at age 2.5 if the child is potty-trained. The ideal age depends on your child's social readiness and developmental milestones — many parents find age 3 is a good starting point. Kindergarten readiness is the primary goal of preschool programs in this area.

3What is the difference between preschool and daycare in Darien?

Preschools focus on structured early education with curriculum, learning goals, and kindergarten readiness. Daycare centers provide full-day care with some educational activities but prioritize supervision and routine. Many Darien programs blend both approaches. Preschools typically run shorter hours (8am-12pm or 8am-3pm) while daycare offers full-day coverage until 5:30-6pm.

4Are there financial assistance programs for preschool in Darien?

Connecticut's Care4Kids program (care4kids.ct.gov) provides subsidized childcare for income-eligible families on a sliding-scale basis. Many Darien preschools accept Care4Kids payments. Applications are processed through Connecticut's Office of Early Childhood — eligibility is based on income, family size, and work or school status. Call 1-888-214-5437 for Care4Kids assistance.

5What accreditation should I look for in Darien preschools?

NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation is the gold standard — it requires programs to meet rigorous standards for curriculum, teacher qualifications, and family engagement, and fewer than 10% of programs nationally earn it. In CT, all preschools must be licensed by CT OEC (portal.ct.gov/oec). Beyond licensing, look for NAEYC accreditation, state quality rating designations, and staff with early childhood education degrees. Ask about teacher credentials during your visit.

Find Childcare

Connect with verified providers

Search Providers

Cost Guides & Tips

How to Choose a Preschool in the Westchester Area

Preschools in Nearby Towns

Other Services in Darien

Are You a Preschool Provider?

Get found by parents in Darien searching for childcare.

List Your Business Free

5 Preschool Providers

Find childcare in Darien