A rec preschool is a part-day program run by a city or park district: a few mornings a week, play-based, and usually priced by the week or session rather than by the month. In the Sacramento listings the City of Sacramento runs Tots and Rec at five sites, and the Carmichael and Orangevale park districts each run their own. Every Tots and Rec site asks that kids be fully potty trained. For full-day licensed care, see the Sacramento daycare directory.
City of Sacramento Tots and Rec, ages 3 to 5
- Coloma Community Center: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30 to 11:30 am, $56 or $84 a week.
- McKinley Park Rose Garden Building (run by Clunie Community Center): Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30 to 11:30 am, $56 or $84 a week. City scholarships are available.
- Mims/Hagginwood Community Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, $168.
- Oak Park Community Center: Fridays, 8:30 to 11:30 am, $392.
- Pannell Meadowview Community Center: afternoons, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Mondays through Wednesdays, $56 or $84 a week.
Carmichael and Orangevale
- Tiny Tots in Carmichael: ages 3 and 4, Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Carmichael Park, $300 a session.
- OV Little Explorers Preschool in Orangevale: Busy Bees (ages 3 to 5) on Tuesdays and Thursdays for $300 a session, or Little Sprouts (ages 4 and 5) on Wednesdays for $75 a session, 9:00 to 11:30 am.
Toddler and parent-and-me classes
- Pop Into Play in North Highlands: ages 1 to 3 with a parent, Tuesdays 9:00 to 9:45 am, $27.
- Ballet with Turns n Tumble in Orangevale: Baby Ballet for ages 1 to 3 and Pre Ballet for ages 3 to 6 on Monday mornings, $36 for a three-week session.
- Kids R It Preschool Dance at South Natomas Community Center: ages 2 to 6, Fridays 3:15 to 4:15 pm, $65.
- Mini Ninja at The Studio in Orangevale: martial arts and movement for ages 3 to 6, $123 a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my kid need to be potty trained for Tots and Rec?
Yes. Every City of Sacramento Tots and Rec listing says kids must be fully potty trained.
How much does a rec preschool cost in Sacramento?
City of Sacramento Tots and Rec weeks run $56 to $84 at most sites. Carmichael's Tiny Tots is $300 a session, and Orangevale's Little Explorers is $75 or $300 a session depending on the group.
Is Tots and Rec a full-day daycare?
No. It is a part-day program, 2 to 3 hours a few days a week. For full-day care, look at licensed centers and family child care homes in the Sacramento daycare directory.
Are there classes for 1 and 2 year olds?
Yes. Pop Into Play in North Highlands (ages 1 to 3) and Baby Ballet in Orangevale (ages 1 to 3) are parent-and-me classes.