Amherst, MA ♦ Amherst Montessori School believes your child is inherently intelligent and that hands-on learning is critical to their developing brains. In mixed-age classrooms, your child is empowered to explore, discover, and learn through all five senses. In a beautiful new building designed uniquely for children, classrooms are filled with sunlight, natural materials, and views outside to playgrounds. Trained Montessori teachers nurture each child’s innate curiosity and independence. For more information: 413-253-3101; admissions@amherstmontessori.org; amherstmontessori.org.

Amherst, MA ♦ Children only get one preschool experience. Experience The Common School. The Common School, serving children ages 3-12 years, has two preschool classrooms for children ages 3-5 years. These classrooms provide strong student/teacher ratios, a diverse and inclusive community, opportunities for experiential learning, a stellar social and emotional curriculum, environmental awareness, play based learning, significant time spent outdoors and many resources, such as an extensive library, music and movement class. Prospective families are invited to meet their teachers and tour their newly renovated facilities, including outdoor learning spaces for extended time outside. For more information: 413-256-8989; www.commonschool.org.

Amherst, MA ♦ The Maple Hill Play Garden offers a small, inclusive early childhood program focusing on equity and abundant time outdoors that nourishes the joy and wonder of a simple childhood. Amanda Lugo, M.A.Ed., provides a warm, nurturing environment where play is the heart of the child’s morning. Teachers work to hold space for children whom our society currently, historically, and systematically oppresses. Backing the Larch Hill Conservation lands, The Maple Hill Play Garden’s outdoor playscape provides children with ample opportunities for exploration into the magical nooks and crannies of the natural world. The program cultivates a gentle and consistent daily rhythm that helps to ground children in themselves and a sense of place. Hot, nourishing, organic meals and snacks are provided. For more information: NourishingChildhood@gmail.com; www.maplehillplaygarden.com.

Amherst, MA ♦ Spring Street Preschool is an independent, progressive preschool located in downtown Amherst. Experienced and caring teachers provide opportunities for constructive play, literacy learning, friendship development, and creative arts. Spring Street Preschool has two outdoor play spaces, including a nature playground. They are enrolling children from 2 yrs 9 months – 5 years. Flexible schedule: half days 8:30am-12:45pm and full days with hours from 8:30am-4:30pm. Tuition assistance is available. Spring Street Preschool is a non-denominational preschool located on the grounds of the First Congregational Church. For more information: springstreetpreschool@gmail.com; 413-256-8442; www.springstreetpreschool.com.

Chesterfield, MA ♦ The Davenport Child Care Center is dedicated to enhancing the self-esteem, social skills, and creativity of each child as an individual while meeting their physical and emotional needs in a safe environment. Their goal is to maintain a safe and healthy environment while allowing children to grow and explore at their own pace. The preschool program encourages a child’s natural curiosity while promoting a desire to learn for years to come. The program offers children lots of free play, use of learning centers, and small group activities that promote skills needed for learning. Through socialization and personal experience, children become members of the community and help one another grow and learn. For more information: trenscot@verizon.net; 413-296-4785; www.davenportchildcare.org.

Deerfield, MA ♦ At Old Deerfield Nursery School (ODNS), they believe kids thrive through play and connection. Their learning center thoughtfully provides a space enriched with joy, intentional teaching, and an appreciation for one another. Through a small class size, children form meaningful friendships and a sense of community with their classmates and teachers. For over 60 years, ODNS has been a valued community program in Historic Deerfield, where a rich history and a learning community surround children. ODNS invites you to schedule a visit to their charming preschool, and they look forward to welcoming new families into the ODNS family. For more information: olddeerfieldnurseryschool16@gmail.com. olddeerfieldnurseryschool.com.

Easthamptom, MA ♦ Mass Audubon’s Arcadia Nature Preschool offers students limitless opportunities for nature investigation, observation, and discovery at Arcadia’s 750-acre wildlife sanctuary. Outdoor exploration is an important part of the curriculum: students are immersed in nature, exploring plants and animals through hands-on studies. A balance of structured and unstructured time, including playtime, gives children many opportunities to develop social skills and build confidence. Experienced teachers guide children by recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors to encourage independence, self-control, and problem-solving. Now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year! For more information: arcadia@massaudubon.org; 413-584 3009; www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/arcadia/programs-activities/nature-preschool-at-arcadia

Florence, MA ♦ Cloverdale Preschool is a parent cooperative program focusing on social-emotional development and problem-solving skills. Teachers are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment with sensory-based experiences that promote confidence through exploration. Cloverdale is a small, close-knit community with a low teacher-child ratio, offering high-quality early education to children ages 2.9-5. Half/ Extended Day schedules available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days during the academic year. Extended day hours offer unique STEAM activities. A large playground has a variety of gross motor equipment and plenty of space to run. DEEC licensed. For more information: cloverdale2@verizon.net; 413-586-1106; www.cloverdalepreschool.com.

Greenfield, MA ♦ The Center School serves children aged 2 through 8th grade, with three preschool classrooms. The Center School’s program for young learners offers specially-designed environments and experiences to foster a sense of wonder through play and adventures. With a combination of child-led and teacher-directed activity, students enjoy spending ample time outdoors, exploring materials, pretending, writing songs, cooking, building, and listening to stories. The Center School believes that a child’s play is their most important work and that through play, we can help children to develop social skills, self-regulation and a strong foundation for emerging academic and social capability. For more information: l.obregon@centerschool.net; 413-773-1700; www.centerschool.net.

Gill, MA ♦ Celebrate the whole child! The Giving Tree preschool program is thoughtfully designed to support young children’s social-emotional growth, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. Students enjoy ample outdoor exploration and playtime each day in their rambling and rugged Outdoor Classroom. Only 15 minutes from downtown Greenfield, set among the woods and pastures of Gill. Giving Tree is committed to fostering active, hands-on early learning experiences that are playful and purposeful, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Licensed by EEC and accredited by NAEYC & HighScope. Sliding scale tuition. For more information: givingtreeschool.org, admin@givingtreeschool.org, or call 413-863-9218.

Great Barrington, MA ♦ Sunshine Preschool at Berkshire South Regional Community Center (BSRCC) provides a high-quality educational environment where children develop a positive self-concept, tap into their creativity, and experience the joy of learning. Each week, students enjoy arts & crafts, creative movement, dramatic play, storytime, and songs, along with playtime in BSRCC’s gym, courtyard playground, and indoor splash pad. Sunshine Preschool is a state-licensed program with rolling enrollment. Your child can join at any point in the year, when openings allow. Children do not need to be toilet-trained to attend. MA state childcare vouchers and BSRCC’s own Financial Assistance program can help cover program fee costs. Inquire today! For more information: berkshiresouth.org/sunshine, amarcinak@berkshiresouth.org, or call 413-528-2810 x16.

Montague, MA ♦ 4 The Love of Learning Preschool is a full-day, year-round program serving a small, individualized, mixed-age classroom for children 2.6-5yrs. A Master’s Level Educator runs it with over 28 years in the field. Join their nurturing community of learners where much of their day is spent outdoors in nature where children practice the skills they will need to grow up and become independent, thoughtful, caring citizens of the world. Throughout the day, children will have time to choose, time to practice independence, time to follow, time to come together, time to rest, time to eat, and time to grow. Their philosophy allows children balance within their day to deeply engage in all parts of learning without constant interruptions. For more information: 413-863-0267; 4theloveoflearning.com;
pumpkin_01373@yahoo.com

Multiple Towns, MA ♦ Community Action’s Head Start & Early Learning Programs offer a variety of program options for expectant parents and families with children ages birth-5 throughout Hampshire, Franklin, & Western Hampden Counties. Community Action’s Head Start provides early education and care and quality comprehensive services to children in Head Start/Early Head Start programs, offering full-day and part-day center-based classrooms, family childcare, and home visiting. Centers are located in Orange, Turners Falls, Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton, Easthampton, Ware, Westfield, & Agawam. All services are provided at either low or no cost to eligible children and families. For more information: 413-387-1250; www.communityaction.us.

Northampton, MA ♦ Clarke’s customized preschool and early childhood classes prepare children who are deaf or hard of hearing, ages 3-8, for success in mainstream schools. In their unique & stimulating Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) instruction environment at Jackson Street Elementary School in Northampton, MA, students are taught by masters-level teachers of the deaf and receive speech and language therapy in both customized and inclusive settings, participating in specials (e.g., art, music, library) alongside their peers with typical hearing at the Jackson Street School. “One of the Valley’s best-kept secrets!” Licensed by DESE. For more information: 413-584-3450 (Voice);
maustin@clarkeschools.org; clarkeschools.org/northampton

Northampton, MA ♦ Wild Garden of Childhood is enrolling infants and toddlers. Wild Garden of Childhood curates a beautiful early education experience for infants and toddlers up to preschool age. By surrounding your babies with love and laughter, outdoor time, and uninhibited play, their days at Wild Garden will be blissful. Wild Garden is happy to help you make the right choice for your child’s earliest education experience. Contact Wild Garden for a chat or enrollment information. Wild Garden of Childhood, LLC is fully licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Education and Care. For more information: 413-231-4454; wildgardenofchildhood.com; wildgardenofchildhood@gmail.com

Shelburne Falls, MA ♦ The Shelburne Falls location of The Learning Knoll provides childcare services to for children ages 3 months to 5 years old. The program operates year-round, Monday through Friday from 7am-5pm with flexible scheduling and various childcare subsidies available. The program provides breakfast and snack daily and families/caregivers must provide lunch. Their program emphasizes low teacher/student ratios where children learning through play as well as additional enrichment through the Creative Curriculum. Children learn by doing in a supportive, nurturing environment that promotes social and emotional learning. For more information: ahawk@thelearningknoll.org; 413-625-2406; www.thelearningknoll.org

South Deerfield, MA ♦ Small World Preschool and Child Care Center provides full-day, year-round care for children 2.9 years through age 5, primarily in Franklin and Hampshire counties. They are open 7:30am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Children are offered a supportive environment to express themselves creatively and expand their awareness of the world around them. Children develop decision-making abilities, self-sufficiency, independence, and problem-solving skills through praise, encouragement, support, and positive reinforcement. Small World was the first private preschool in the Union #38 school district to become nationally accredited. For more information: 413-665-4501; hollyp33@hotmail.com, lwinter5@yahoo.com; www.facebook.com/Small-World-Preschool-128932650583464

Springfield, MA ♦ Prelude Preschool of the Arts offers five-day arts-integrated learning and play for children ages 2.9-5 years. Full-day and half-day programming feature specialized classes taught by expert musicians and artists in early childhood music, dance, yoga, Suzuki violin, bucket drumming, and visual art. Flexible before and aftercare is available to meet your family’s scheduling needs, and arts-centered family nights facilitate connection and collaboration among students, families, and teachers. Prelude’s classrooms have been renovated and refreshed for optimal learning and fun, and they invite prospective families to take a tour! For more information: prelude@communitymusicschool.com; 413-750-9560; communitymusicschool.com/prelude.