Montclair offers a public pre-K program and several private preschools, each with its unique educational approach and environment. Our guide makes it as easy as A, B, C to navigate these options and find the ideal preschool or childcare solution that meets your family’s needs.

Private Preschools

Here is a comprehensive list of local private preschools in the Montclair area, as well as a few in nearby towns. It can help you get started on finding the right fit for your child. Additionally, each entry includes key details about ages, hours, and contact information to make your search a bit easier. Please note that this list is not an endorsement of any particular school. We recommend doing your own research to find the best match for your child and family.

Montclair Cooperative School
Ages: 2.5 years old to 8th grade
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 65 Chestnut Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-783-4955
Montclair Co-op School Tour
admissions@montclaircoop.org

Ben Samuel Children’s Center
Ages: 6 weeks – 5 years
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-655-5210
benschool@montclair.edu

Children’s Studio
Ages: 2 – 5 years
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Address: 289 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-746-6455 
childrensstudio@comcast.net

Early Explorers Preschool
Ages:  2½ to 5 years
Hours: Half Day (9:00-1), Partial Day (9-3), and Full Day (7:30-5:30) programs. 
Address: 67 Church Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-985-4061
grvenner@gmail.com

L’Alliance French Immersion Preschool
Ages: 2½ to 5
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
17-19 Munn Street, 2nd floor, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-783-0507
montclair@lallianceny.org

Leonardo da Vinci International Academy
Ages: 2½ to 6
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
57 Park Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-533-8312
info@ldvacademy.com

Montclair Child Development Center
Ages: Birth to 5 years
Hours: 8:15 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: 33 Fulton Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-783-0220

MMO Preschool Programs
Ages: 1-5 years
Hours: 7:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Address: 40 S. Fullerton Ave Montclair, NJ 07042
973-744-6521
info@mmoprograms.org

Montclair Community Pre-K
Ages: 3-5 years
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 49 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-509-4500
info@montclairprek.org

Neighborhood Child Care Center
Ages: 6 weeks – 5 years
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 228 South Willow Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-746-5330
info@neighborhoodchildcarecenter.org

Over the Rainbow Nursery
Ages: 6 months – 5 years
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 32 Pleasant Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-744-5905
info@overtherainbownursery.com

Parkside Montessori School, Inc.
Ages: 18 months – 6 years
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 27 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-783-4310
info@parksidemontessori.com

Park Street Academy
Ages: 2-6 years
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 46 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-783-1900
info@parkstreetacademy.com

Pilgrim Preschool
Ages: 2½ to 5 years
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Address: 195 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-743-5596 Ext. 13
knisensonpps@gmail.com

Pilsbury School
Ages: 2.5-5 years
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 433 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-746-3451
info@pilsburyschool.com

Playhouse Preschool
Ages: 2-5 years
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Address: 133 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
973-731-7900
infoplayhouseonline@gmail.com

Shomrei Emunah Preschool
Ages: 18 months – 5 years
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 67 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-746-5031
nursery@shomrei.org

Shoresh Preschool
Ages: 2-5 years
Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: 936 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-338-1500
info@templeneretamid.org

St. James Preschool
Ages: 2-5 years
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 581 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-744-0105
stjamespreschoolnj@gmail.com

The Goddard School
Ages: Infant through Pre-K
Hours: 7 a.m. _ 6 p.m.
Address: 2 Seymour Plaza, Montclair, New Jersey 07042
973-433-5022

Union Congregational Weekday Nursery School
Ages: 2.5-5 years
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Address: 176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-744-9069
infoschool@unioncong.org

Watchung Cooperative Preschool
Ages: 2.5-5 years
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Address: 71 Mount Hebron Road, Montclair, NJ 07043
973-783-4535
christi.porter-johnson@watchungco-op.org

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Mini-Mounties: Montclair’s Public Pre-K Program 

The Mini-Mounties is a public preschool program funded by the NJ Preschool Expansion Grant. It ensures tuition is free for eligible families. This program extends beyond a single location, with classrooms in local providers throughout town. All Mini-Mounties school day programs are six hours. Beginning and end times vary by location. Extended or wrap-around care is available at all locations.

Applications for new families will open on January 9 at 9 a.m. To be eligible, children must be three or four years old by October 1, 2025, and reside in Montclair. Applications will be processed in the order they are received. If there are more applicants than available spots, children will be placed on a waiting list based on the order of application. 

2025–2026 tours, application and registration

Mini-Mounties Participating Locations

In-district locations