Choosing a preschool homeschool curriculum shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Preschool should be gentle, fun, hands-on, and stress-free—for both you and your child.
Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or looking for something fresh and simple, this guide highlights both popular and lesser-known preschool homeschool curriculum options. You’ll learn which programs work best for different types of children, what each curriculum includes, and how much they cost.
What to Look for in a Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
Preschoolers learn best through:
- Play
- Hands-on exploration
- Nature
- Music, rhyme, and stories
- Simple routines
- Short activities
A strong preschool homeschool curriculum should feel light, joyful, and developmentally appropriate—never stressful or overly academic. You want something that supports curiosity and connection, not long worksheets or pressure to perform.
Look for programs that offer:
- Short, simple lessons
- Real books and rich language
- Hands-on activities
- Freedom to follow your child’s pace
- Affordable materials
My Third Preschooler
I am currently on my third preschool student. With my eldest, I was like most first-year homeschoolers. I wanted to be taken seriously and do this thing right. 10 years later, I still want to do it right, but I am much more aware of how this preschool thing should go.
I want my daughter to love and enjoy learning. It’s a bonding time for us. No, not everything in life has to be fun. As they get older, the work definitely gets harder and challenging. Why make it that way out of the gate?
If I could go back, I wouldn’t have been so tough on my eldest. He has severe ADHD and has always struggled with being still. I should never have expected a 3-4 year old boy to be still and do book work. Neither should you. There is plently of time for that later.
Popular Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options
1. ABC Jesus Loves Me
Best for: Christian families, kids who enjoy routines, parents wanting weekly plans
Cost: Free PDFs or ~$35–$100 for printed materials
ABC Jesus Loves Me offers structured weekly plans that include Bible stories, songs, pre-reading and early math concepts, and simple crafts. The lessons are short and easy to follow, giving families gentle structure without pressure.
👉 I did the free version with both of my boys for a bit, but I think I could have stayed consistent if I bought the printed material.
2. The Gentle + Classical Preschool
Best for: Families wanting a Charlotte Mason–inspired program with beautiful visuals
Cost: Free digital download or ~$50–$80 for printed guides
This literature-rich program emphasizes character, memory work, nature study, and hands-on activities. It’s intentional yet gentle—wonderful for sensitive, imaginative, or story-loving children.
👉 I did this with my second son. It truly is a mix of classical and Charlotte Mason. Lots of memorization, yet very beautiful and rich. My issue with it was, if you buy it printed, it can be quite pricey. If you get the free teacher’s manuals, it was a lot of printing/piecing things together.
3. Heart of Dakota: Little Hands to Heaven
Best for: Christian families who want gentle structure with movement, stories, and hands-on learning
Cost: ~$65–$90 for the guide + optional books
Little Hands to Heaven offers short daily lessons built around Bible stories, finger plays, songs, simple crafts, early literacy skills, and active learning. It’s ideal for children who enjoy movement and interactive learning but still benefit from predictable rhythms.
👉 We absolutely love Heart of Dakota for about 4th grade and up. This one just wasn’t a good fit for my daughter.
4. Horizons Preschool
Best for: Parents wanting a more academic workbook-style Christian program
Cost: ~ $120 for the teacher’s guide + workbooks
Horizons is more structured and academic than many preschool homeschool curriculum options. It works well for early readers or kids eager for seatwork but may feel too heavy for later-blooming or highly active preschoolers.
Lesser-Known (But Amazing!) Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options
5. The Peaceful Press (The Peaceful Preschool)
Best for: Families who value gentle, relational, literature-rich preschool
Cost: ~$35–$49
The Peaceful Preschool is simple, beautiful, and connection-focused. It uses picture books, recipes, sensory play, nature prompts, and phonemic awareness activities to create a slow, joyful learning rhythm.
👉 We have used The Kind Kingdom from Peaceful Press and really enjoyed it. A lot of people really enjoy the preschool as well.
6. A Year of Learning
Best for: Families wanting literature-based, thematic, gentle units (Primer with Pooh, Preschool with Peter Rabbit, etc.)
Cost: $25–$55 depending on the guide
A Year of Learning offers several themed paths, each built around classic stories. Units include read-alouds, hands-on activities, simple literacy exposure, nature study, and optional crafts. Parents can choose themes based on their child’s interests, making learning personalized and delightful.
👉 We are using a mix of Primer with Pooh and A Year in the Hundred Acre Woods next year for my K daughter and 5th grade son next year. They have very good sales, lovely book lists, and is a very gentle and rich curriculum.
7. Playing Preschool (Busy Toddler)
Best for: Active kids, sensory seekers, and families who prefer play-based learning
Cost: ~$39 per year
Playing Preschool teaches early math and literacy through simple, hands-on, household activities. With no worksheets and minimal prep, it’s perfect for wiggly little ones who learn best through movement and play.
👉 After researching this more, this would have been perfect for my eldest (if it was avaliable). I will possibly use it for my younger son in the next year or two. Perfect for busy, active children.
8. Before Five in a Row
Best for: Story-loving kids; parents who want a warm, connection-first approach
Cost: ~$35–$50 for the guide (library books recommended!)
Before Five in a Row centers learning around treasured picture books. Each story includes discussion prompts and simple activities connected to art, nature, relationships, or early concepts. It’s gentle, cozy, and ideal for families who want bonding to be the heart of learning.
👉 We still pull out Five in a Row from time to time. I love how it is literature heavy and unit study based.
Cost Comparison: Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
| Curriculum | Cost | Best For | Structure Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Jesus Loves Me | Free–$100 | Structured Christian | Medium |
| Gentle + Classical Preschool | Free–$80 | Literature-rich, Charlotte Mason | Medium |
| Heart of Dakota: Little Hands to Heaven | $65–$90 | Gentle Christian structure | Medium |
| Horizons Preschool | ~$120 | Academic learners | High |
| The Peaceful Press | $35–$49 | Gentle, relational learning | Low |
| A Year of Learning | $25–$55 | Theme-based, literature-loving | Low–Medium |
| Playing Preschool | ~$39 | Hands-on, sensory, playful | Low |
| Before Five in a Row | $35–$50 | Story-based, connection-centered | Low |
How to Choose the Right Preschool Homeschool Curriculum for Your Child
Choose a gentle curriculum if your child is…
- Sensitive
- Easily overwhelmed
- Young for their age
- Not ready for seatwork
Examples: The Peaceful Press, A Year of Learning, Before Five in a Row, Heart of Dakota
Choose a structured curriculum if your child…
- Loves routine
- Enjoys predictable plans
- Likes worksheets or school-like activities
Examples: ABC Jesus Loves Me, Horizons, Heart of Dakota
Choose a hands-on or movement-rich curriculum if your child…
- Is always on the move
- Enjoys sensory play
- Learns through action and touch
Examples: Playing Preschool, Heart of Dakota
Choose a story-based curriculum if your child…
- Loves read-alouds
- Gets inspired by characters
- Enjoys imaginative play
Examples: Gentle + Classical Preschool, A Year of Learning, The Peaceful Press, Before Five in a Row
Preschool Should Be Simple and Joyful
Preschool at home does not need to look like traditional school. A good preschool homeschool curriculum focuses on nurturing curiosity, connection, and confidence.
Your child will learn so much through everyday life—snuggling with books, going on nature walks, building with blocks, helping in the kitchen, singing, playing, and exploring.
Choose a curriculum that feels light, doable, and joyful for your whole family. That’s what preschool is all about.
Want to DIY Your Own Preschool Curriculum?
If you’d rather build a gentle, budget-friendly preschool plan yourself, you absolutely can. A few core books, simple routines, and hands-on activities are all you need. I’ve put together a full guide on how to create your own DIY preschool curriculum—click here to read it.