At EES, your child is known.
Known by name. Known by language. Known by the way they learn. EES early childhood centers are free for families who qualify, and they're probably inside a school you already know.
EES Preschools offers free and reduced-cost early childhood education for families who qualify in Vista, Linda Vista, Chula Vista, and National City. Programs serve children from 3 months through age 5, including full-day infant care, toddler care, and preschool. Most families who qualify pay nothing. No Social Security Number required to enroll.
🌟 47 Years in San Diego
🍎 Free Meal(s) Every Day**
📅 Open Year-Round
🏫 21 centers across San Diego
👶 3 Months* Through Pre-K
🌟 47 Years in San Diego
🍎 Free Meal(s) Every Day**
📅 Open Year-Round
🏫 21 centers across San Diego
👶 3 Months* Through Pre-K
We teach children. We walk beside families. We sit with you when things get hard.
EES has been doing this since 1979 in Vista, Linda Vista, Chula Vista, and National City. We teach 1,300 children a year and work alongside 850 families. Many of our programs are free for families who qualify.
Our enrollment coordinators speak English and Spanish. They'll sit with you while you fill out the forms. You don't have to navigate this alone.
Your child's teacher can identify your child’s unique strengths and abilities.
EES classrooms are small by design. Low child-to-teacher ratios mean your child gets real attention, and a teacher who notices when something's different.
Learning that looks like childhood.
Your child will build, explore, sing, and try again. Academic readiness comes from play, relationships, and an early childhood expert dedicated to following a child's curiosity.
Opportunities to check vision, hearing, and dental, every year.
We screen every child on a year-round cycle. Meals are included daily. And when your family needs help beyond the classroom, we don't hand you a list — we sit with you until it's sorted.
"The teachers at EES know my daughter's name, her favorite activity, and exactly how she likes to be comforted. I've never felt more at ease leaving her with someone else."
Infant & Toddler Care
Full-day, year-round. Small classroom sizes, consistent caregivers, 4:1 ratio in toddler care, and 3:1 ratio in infant care. Programs include free daily meals (including formula), diapers, developmental screenings, and bilingual caregivers.
Preschool
Part-day programs inside Vista Unified schools. Full-day, year-round centers in Vista, Linda Vista, and South Bay. We work with your family and districts for a warm handoff to elementary school.
North County
(Vista & Oceanside)
San Diego
(Linda Vista)
South Bay
(Chula Vista & National City)
Free for families who qualify, and we'll help you find out if that's you.
Many families who think they won't qualify, do. Our enrollment team will look at your situation, explain what applies, and walk you through every form in English or Spanish.
EES helps prepare children and their families for elementary school.
For families in Vista, the EES program is often inside the same elementary school your child will attend for the next six years. That means your child's teacher and their future kindergarten teacher have probably already talked about them. That's not a coincidence, that's how this was designed.
Children taught each year
Centers across San Diego County
Infant care ratio
Years in San Diego
EES helps prepare children and their families for elementary school.
Enrolling your child at EES does not require their Social Security Number. It is not connected to immigration enforcement. It does not affect your family's public charge determination.
Your child's eligibility is based on their age and household income — nothing else. Our staff will answer your questions privately, in Spanish, with care.
(858) 569-7273
Stay updated on all things EES!
Stay in the know on all the exciting things happening in our classrooms and our community!
Ready to find a free preschool in San Diego County?
Enrollment is open. Spots fill early, especially for infant care. Call us and we'll figure out the rest together.
