Polka Dot Preschool is a standout choice for parents seeking a nurturing, high-quality preschool environment. The staff here are all registered Early Childhood Educators (ECE), which makes a big difference in the level of care and expertise they provide. 

We’re impressed by their curriculum, blending academics with hands-on learning tailored to each age group. The activities include shapes, math, and science, all aimed at sparking curiosity and independence to get kids ready for kindergarten.

The parents we chatted with shared how quickly their kids grow in confidence and engagement, which speaks volumes about the supportive atmosphere.

We also love the outdoor play space, which is safe, clean, and thoughtfully designed to let kids explore and play all year round. It’s great to see children enjoying themselves in a way that’s both fun and healthy.

Just a heads up, Polka Dot Preschool has a late pickup policy: they charge $15 for the first ten minutes and $2 for every minute after 6:00 PM. But overall, the structured and supportive environment makes Polka Dot Preschool a top-notch option.

Everything is well thought-out and meticulous 

“Seriously one of the best schools in Ontario. Everything is well thought-out and meticolous, the program, the teachers, the facility. Karine, the director of the school, is very nice and has an open door policy so it’s super easy to talk to her. My girl is at the preschool program and is always happy to go there, and I feel calm and assured to send her there. Definitely a 5-star experience and worth the money (as they’re not in the cwelcc program so more expensive than other schools).”

Lily, Google review

Caring and attentive staff

“We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Polka dot . From the very first day, the transition for our son has been incredibly smooth, thanks to the caring and attentive staff. They’re not just good; they’re kind, which means the world to us as parents. Our son absolutely loves the center, and that’s saying something because we’re quite picky when it comes to finding the right place for him. Thanks to the dedication of the staff and the warm atmosphere created by Ms. Karine, we feel truly fortunate to have chosen this center for our son’s care and development.”

Ramina Az, Google Review 

Uptown Yonge Preschool is a solid choice for families who want a school focused on early education. Their well-rounded program keeps things exciting, starting in the classroom before branching out into activities like painting, block building, science projects, and even sand and water play. 

It’s the kind of place where kids are constantly engaged and learning without feeling overwhelmed. Parents also appreciate the structured schedule, which alternates between active and quiet periods to balance energy and focus.

We also think that having two teachers per class is a huge plus. Having just 16 kids in each group means everyone gets a lot of attention, which makes learning way more effective and feels personal. The open-door policy is another win, letting parents drop in and feel involved in their child’s education.

The only catch? Their application and reservation fees—$75 upfront and $350 to secure your spot—can feel a little steep. 

Still, if you’re looking for a school that values structure, creativity, and parental involvement, Uptown Yonge Preschool is a great pick.

Wonderful and caring place

“UYP was a wonderful and caring place for my daughter.

The staff takes every child’s needs into consideration with learning and social activities. My daughter was very attached to us and UYP not only prepared her for J.K, but had her looking forward to preschool every day! Was a wonderful piece of mind for me.”

Stacey Bonner, Google Review

Highly flexible in accommodating children’s needs

The best preschool in North York area. My 4 year old joined the school in middle of the year when we moved from the states. The staff was super welcoming and caring. School director/owner  (Tia) is highly flexible in accommodating your child’s needs and schedule. All the teachers are very knowledgeable and wonderful  human beings. My son is going to JK this September and he will miss the school and teachers…Highly recommend the school!!!”

Tapsi Shukla, Google Review

The highlight of Eh to Zed Preschool Canada Don Mills is its Emergent Curriculum, which designs lessons around your kid’s interests and progress. This makes learning feel natural and fun while catering to individual needs.

It’s also worth noting that the school participates in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, making it more affordable for families as fees continue to drop toward the $10/day goal by 2025.

From our surveys, parents rave about the communication here. Regular updates on their kids’ progress and a genuine willingness to address concerns show how much the staff cares. 

We also appreciate the school’s focus on self-help skills like zipping jackets, putting on shoes, and tidying up—small life lessons really help kids grow.

On the downside, fees aren’t listed on their website, which might require a few phone calls. Plus, slots fill up quickly, so you’ll need to act fast. 

Nonetheless, this preschool’s personalized, play-based approach makes it a fantastic choice for families who value creativity and collaboration.

Great environment, bright, safe and clean

“My daughter has been going to Preschool Canada Don Mills for about 2 years now. The owner Dina is so nice and the director Haifa is absolutely amazing, and dedicated to making the centre a good one for the children. The staff are kind, patient and plan lots of fun activities to keep the kids engaged. The centre itself is also a great environment, bright, safe and clean.”

Salza mhk, Google Review

Very open and communicative

“We love Preschool Canada Toronto. My daughter started attending full days around 12 months old a little over 1 year ago.  From the start the staff as well as the director, Haifa, were very helpful and supportive with the initial transition and continue to be very open and communicative.  Haifa is always willing to take a call from a worried parent and she, along with the staff, are great at letting us the know of lesson plans, behaviour changes in our child as well as positive milestones/achievements!”

Deborah Hardat, Google Review

We love how Westside Montessori School offers a personalized, child-focused education with customized lesson plans that cater to each kid’s unique needs and strengths.

On top of that, they have a strong curriculum that includes art, music, French, and Montessori-based hands-on learning. We quickly noticed that kids don’t just memorize—they deeply understand concepts, which is why so many parents are impressed with their progress.

Another plus is the uninterrupted work periods, which encourage kids to focus, explore, and develop independence at their own pace. We appreciate how they value self-driven learning rather than rushing through a rigid schedule.

But it’s a bummer that this preschool doesn’t participate in the CWELCC system, so it may not be the most budget-friendly option. Also, spots tend to fill up quickly due to its popularity, so early registration is key. 

All in all, if you’re looking for a place where your child can thrive in a thoughtful and engaging environment, Westside Montessori School is worth considering.

Incredible community 

“We love love and love Westside! It’s an incredible community, amazing teachers and our little boy cannot be happier. We have been with them for 2 years now and we never had any issues :)”

Myriam Awad, Google Review

Excellent communication

“I am grateful that we have Westside Montessori in our community.  The amazing teaching team goes above and beyond every day to foster an environment that promotes independence and personal growth.  Communication has been excellent from day one, we couldn’t ask for more. I would definitely recommend West side as one of the best schools in the GTA.”

Kelli Cormier, Google Review

The Clover School has been making learning genuinely enjoyable for kids for over 25 years. They’ve taken Montessori principles and added some fresh, creative teaching methods to create a one-of-a-kind environment where kids really thrive.

What we like the most is how much variety they pack into the curriculum. It’s not just about academics; they also offer hands-on activities like gardening, cooking classes, and French lessons, allowing kids to explore various skills and interests.

Parents often talk about the low student-to-teacher ratio (just 5:1), which means every kid gets plenty of individual attention. Another feature they love is the time dedicated to uninterrupted focus, helping kids build crucial skills like self-regulation, independence, and concentration.

The one downside? Tuition is quite steep, and spots fill up fast, so you’ll need to plan. But if you’re looking for a school prioritizing creativity, independence, and life skills, The Clover School is a top contender.

Warm, supportive and caring

“We could not be happier with our decision to send our 5 and 2 year old boys to The Clover School. We immigrated here recently and so the children have had a huge life adjustment, and the school has been such a warm supportive and caring environment and has made our transition here much easier. The teachers are brilliant, attentive, warm, caring. The principle and support staff are just brilliant super communicative, kind, well organised and efficient. The school itself – grounds- and programs- and community spirit are top tier. We are really thrilled and I could not speak more highly of the school!”

p chua, Google Review

Amazing experience 

“My daughter has attended The Clover School since Pre-school and has had an amazing experience. The teachers are loving and caring yet challenges her appropriately. The principal greets the children by the front door every morning and knows every child by name. My daughter has hearing loss and the school has gone above and beyond to educate themselves and provide support as needed. She has learnt so much at a young age, not only academically but socially as well. She loves her teachers and we couldn’t be happier that we chose this school.”

Benita Chan, Google Review