Understanding Bel Air Preschool Tuition Costs and Enrollment

Choosing the right preschool is a significant decision for families. In Los Angeles, where competition for quality early childhood education is high, understanding the tuition costs, enrollment processes, and educational philosophies of different schools is crucial. This article provides a detailed overview of preschool tuition costs, focusing on Bel Air Preschool and other notable preschools in the Los Angeles area.

Tuition Costs at Bel Air Preschool

Bel Air Preschool, an independent, faith-based school, offers various programs with corresponding tuition fees. Understanding these costs is the first step in determining if the school fits your family's budget. Here's a breakdown of the tuition structure for the 2026-2027 and 2025-2026 school years:

2026-2027 School Year

2 days per week 3’s class: \$1400.00
3 days per week 3’s class: \$2100.00
3 days per week 4’s class: \$2100.00
5 days per week 4’s class (9:00-1:00): \$4000.00
5 days per week Transitional Kindergarten: \$3500.00

All classes have a \$125.00 registration fee. Payment may be made all at once or in monthly payments.

2025-2026 School Year

Preps: \$185.00/month x 9 months: \$1,665 (9-10:30am until Thanksgiving break, 9-11:30 after Thanksgiving Break)
2 day 3's: \$195.00/month x 9 months: \$1,755.00 (9-11:30am, T & TH)
3 day 3's: \$220.00/month x 9 months: \$1,980.00 (9-11:30am, MWF)
3 day 4's: \$220.00/month x 9 months: \$1,980.00 (9-11:30am, MWF)
3 day 4's pm: \$220.00/month x 9 months: \$1,980.00 (12-2:30pm, MWF)
K ready 5 day: \$495.00/month x 9 months: \$4,455 (9:15-2:15pm, M-F)

The registration fee for the 2025-2026 school year was \$100.00, due at registration along with the first month's tuition.

Payment Schedules and Late Fees

For the 2025-2026 school year, monthly tuition payments were due on the 1st of the month, according to the following schedule:

Read also: Preschool Tuition Details

1st payment is due at registration- with the registration fee

2nd payment- September 1st

3rd payment- October 1st

4th payment- November 1st

5th payment- December 1st

Read also: Denver Preschool Program Details

6th payment- January 1st

7th payment- February 1st

8th payment- March 1st

9th payment- April 1st

The preschool reserves the right to charge a 10% late fee for tuition payments received after the 10th. Additionally, a \$36.00 'non-sufficient funds' fee may be assessed to any checks returned for insufficient funds.

Read also: Understanding Cedars Fees

Additional Expenses

Beyond tuition, families should also budget for other potential expenses, including:

Field trips
Assemblies
Supplies
4's Graduation

Discounts Available

Bel Air Preschool offers several discounts to help families manage tuition costs. It's important to note that only one discount can be applied per family. The discounts include:

Sibling/ Board member discount: 10%
Church member discount: 5% (for children of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd members in 2026-2027)
Pay year in full discount: 5% (if you pay for the tuition in full by the first monthly due date in 2026-2027)
A 10% discount if a family has two or more children enrolled in the preschool at the same time (in 2026-2027).

Registration Process at Bel Air Preschool

Navigating the registration process is a critical step in securing a spot for your child. For the 2026-2027 School Year, registration will be online.

Register for the class online.
Make your payment.

Touring the School

Touring the school is a mandatory step before applying. For the 2023-2024 school year, tours opened on October 1, 2022. You can request a tour by filling out the form, available on the school's website.

Family Interview

Once the school receives your application, it may contact you to schedule a family interview. According to Cindy Chanin, it's important to embrace - and demonstrate - a desire for faith-based education to align with Bel Air Presbyterian.

Other Elite Preschools in Los Angeles and Their Approaches

While Bel Air Preschool is a notable option, Los Angeles boasts a variety of other elite preschools, each with its unique philosophy and approach to early childhood education. Understanding these differences can help parents find the best fit for their child.

Cassidy Preschool

Cassidy is described as "one of LA's most sought-after preschools." The school doesn't have a mission or philosophy, but rather an approach. The director of Cassidy Preschool hopes for people to be as down to earth as possible. Spaces are limited and tours are for adults only.

Piper's LA

Piper's LA encourages fun and community. Families should first request a tour before applying, and private tours are held daily, with one family per appointment. The tours are adults-only, and adults must be vaccinated to enter Piper's buildings.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian was started in 1959 and prides itself on its sense of continuity. You can apply online or submit an information request.

Circle of Children

Circle of Children's philosophy revolves around its belief that 'The most important lesson a child can learn during their early years is that school is fun, interesting, and rewarding. Emotional and social development are of paramount importance, and Circle of Children is dedicated to building self-esteem, respect for others, and a cooperative disposition. You must call the school directly for application details.

Wagon Wheel School

Wagon Wheel School's Malibu location is the school's second location. Siblings are automatically first batch when they announce acceptances. Currently, Wagon Wheel is offering virtual tours of the school.

The Nest

The Nest takes a Montessori approach and offers weekly extracurricular classes such as yoga, music, PE, and art as part of its core program. Before enrolling at The Nest, parents and their child first must visit the school. Parents must apply by January 15 prior to the September of the admissions year. Parent fit is critical to the preschool's director.

Montessori Shir-Hashirim

Montessori Shir-Hashirim has a strong academic program, including instruction in Spanish, French, and Mandarin, paired with structured play. Tours are for adults only and begin on September 21, 2022, at the Berendo campus and on September 22 at the Carlton Way campus. There's also a mandatory Parent and Me program.

CCE (presumably, a typo for another school)

CCE requires families to submit their online application as their initial step. For CEE, diversity is "super important."

Camelot Kids

Filling out the Interest Application Form is the first step. The school holds an open house once a year in January - by invitation only - for the parents on its current waitlist.

SLCC (presumably, a typo for another school)

"At SLCC, we value a strong developmental dynamic for our mixed-age classroom that will enrich the prosocial experience of each individual child," Sign up for tour information and to receive an invitation to tour.

General Advice for Choosing a Preschool in Los Angeles

Beyond the specifics of individual schools, there are broader considerations to keep in mind when selecting a preschool in Los Angeles:

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Getting your child into a respectable preschool in Los Angeles starts when they're barely out of diapers. A quality early education sets the foundation for future academic success and social-emotional development.

Key Elements of Top Preschools

Creativity, the cultivation of curiosity, and learning through play are central to most of the best preschools' missions and philosophies. The community also harbors a deep thread of the Reggio Emilia approach to education.

Understanding the Reggio Emilia Approach

Reggio Emilia is a student-centered educational philosophy that is self-directed, experiential, and promoted in relationship-driven environments. Community, the arts, and play are at the core of Reggio Emilia.

The Admissions Process and School Values

Many top LA preschools claim that they are not as interested in your numbers or status as much as they are interested in whether you align with their philosophy and values. Every school has its own particular way of filling their classes, and many admissions directors are seeking diversity and a range of personalities.

The Impact of Recent Events

Parents and families have "undeniably been impacted" by what the world has collectively moved through over the last few years. "There seems to be a renewed and more mindful commitment to seeking out a quality, reliable education for their kids,"

Tuition and Financial Considerations

Tuition for child care is based on factors unique to every family. This includes factors such as your child’s age, program, Academy location, and how many days and hours they’ll be attending. Contact your local Academy directly to get an accurate tuition rate.

Kiddie Academy of North Belair

Kiddie Academy of North Belair has been amazing!

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