Lakeside and Alpine list 13 preschool and childcare programs across 92040 and 91901. Options range from Montessori East County Preschool & Infant Care and Little Pioneers Preschool in Lakeside to Alpine Children's Academy and Alpine Country Day School, covering infants through pre-K in full-day and half-day formats.
2225 W Victoria Dr, Alpine, CA 91901
+1 619-445-2072
Verified9908 Channel Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-443-2887
Verified1508 Midway Dr, Alpine, CA 91901
+1 619-445-3333
Verified2654 Angela Way, Alpine, CA 91901
+1 619-445-0878
Verified9449 Winter Gdns Blvd, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-603-1370
Verified2605 Alpine Blvd #1, Alpine, CA 91901
+1 619-722-7393
Verified9840 Maine Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-561-0902
Verified2403 Alpine Blvd, Alpine, CA 91901
+1 619-445-5462
Verified9841 Vine St, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-443-2696
Verified8770 Harbison Canyon Rd, Alpine, CA 91901
+1 619-445-3553
Verified9748 Los Coches Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-416-3352
Verified12464 Woodside Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-404-4466
Verified12464 Woodside Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040
+1 619-561-8880
VerifiedLakeside lists several preschool and childcare programs across 92040. Little Pioneers Preschool, Lakeside Presbyterian Preschool, Rising Star Preschool Lakeside, Kinder Academy, and Kinder-Fun Preschool all serve families in the downtown Lakeside area near Maine Avenue and Lindo Lake. Children's Choice Academy operates two locations on Woodside Avenue.
Montessori East County Preschool & Infant Care is the only Montessori-method program in the Lakeside area, accepting children from infancy through pre-K. Marilla Lakeside Early Advantage Preschool Programs and Creekside Early Learning Center round out the options for families looking for structured early education before kindergarten entry at Lakeside Union School District.
Alpine lists five preschool and childcare programs in 91901. Alpine Children's Academy on Alpine Blvd is the largest by enrollment and has been operating in the community for years. Alpine Country Day School runs two locations—one on Arnold Way and one on Harbison Canyon Road—both offering structured preschool programming for the Alpine area.
Alpine Home Daycare, Sunny Days Children Center, and A Child's Center of Wonder and Discovery fill the in-home and small-center childcare space for Alpine families who want a lower-ratio setting. The smaller number of options compared to Lakeside means some Alpine parents drive west toward Santee or east along I-8 for additional choices.
Full-time daycare in Lakeside and the broader East County area typically runs between $1,000 and $1,600 per month for toddlers and preschool-age children, depending on the program type and hours. In-home daycare providers tend to fall on the lower end of that range, while center-based programs with structured curriculum and licensed staff sit higher.
Half-day preschool programs—usually three to four hours, two to five days per week—cost less, often in the $400 to $800 per month range. Faith-based programs like Lakeside Presbyterian Preschool sometimes offer reduced tuition as part of their community mission. Families should ask about sibling discounts, part-time schedules, and whether the program accepts state childcare subsidies.
Montessori East County Preschool & Infant Care in Lakeside is the closest Montessori-method program for families in the 92040 and 91901 area. The school accepts infants through pre-K and follows the Montessori approach of self-directed learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on materials rather than a traditional teacher-led lecture format.
Montessori programs are less common in East County than in coastal San Diego neighborhoods, so families in Lakeside and Alpine who want this model have limited local choices. If Montessori East County's enrollment is full, the next closest options are in La Mesa and Santee, both a 15–20 minute drive from downtown Lakeside.
Most preschool programs in Lakeside accept children starting at age two or three, with enrollment running through age five or kindergarten entry. Montessori East County Preschool & Infant Care is the main exception—it takes infants as young as six weeks, making it the earliest-start option in the area.
Transitional kindergarten through Lakeside Union School District is available for children who turn five between September 2 and February 2, creating a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. Families with children younger than two who need care before preschool age should ask about infant and toddler spots at in-home providers like Alpine Home Daycare or at centers that list infant care in their licensing.
Several Lakeside preschools offer full-day programs that run from early morning until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., covering the full workday for parents who need extended hours. Children's Choice Academy and Kinder Academy both list full-day options alongside their half-day schedule.
Half-day preschool programs typically run three to four hours in the morning, which works for families with a stay-at-home parent or a flexible work schedule but leaves a gap for dual-income households. The full-day programs that include lunch and afternoon activities cost more per month but eliminate the need for a separate afternoon childcare arrangement. Alpine Country Day School and Alpine Children's Academy also run full-day schedules for families on the Alpine side.
Infant care slots in Lakeside are limited. Montessori East County Preschool & Infant Care is the only center-based program in the area that explicitly serves infants, accepting children from six weeks of age. Most other licensed childcare centers in 92040 start enrollment at age two or older.
In-home daycare providers fill much of the infant care gap in Lakeside and Alpine. Licensed family childcare homes can accept a small number of infants alongside toddler and preschool-age children, and the lower ratios can be a better fit for families who want a home-like environment for their youngest child. Waitlists for infant spots are common across East County, so families expecting a baby should start contacting providers well before their return-to-work date.
San Diego Lineup is a neighborhood-first civic business directory covering 40 communities across San Diego County. From restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to salons, contractors, doctors, and local services — Lakeside & Alpine’s businesses are organized by neighborhood with verified details, ratings, and direct contact information. Explore all San Diego communities →
Get listed on San Diego Lineup — email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you added.
New photos, updated hours, or a better description — email us at [email protected] and we’ll take care of it.