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 with hours from 8am-5:30pm and affordable tuition. Spring Street Preschool is a non-denominational preschool located behind the 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; davenportchildcare.wordpress.com.

Deerfield, MA ♦ Heron’s Nest is a nature-based home program for ages 3-6. A home garden’s inviting context helps teach the arts of loving interdependence, devotion to meaningful work, and admiration of our natural world. Animal care, gentle gardening, music, stories, and handcrafting are integral pillars of this program. Days are a flexible combination of structure & free play; Heron’s Nest believes that a child-led curriculum fosters willful learning & genuine curiosity. They are home to a herd of goats, a flock of ducks, and expansive gardens for work & play. As farmers & artists, their teachers Heron & Josie work to create a bright space full of song, plants, creatures, and liberated play for children to share. Heron’s Nest is licensed by the MA EEC. For more information: heronsnest.care@gmail.com. 508-733-7384. www.heronsnest.care.

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.

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/full day schedules available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days during the academic year. Four 2-week summer sessions available. 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.

Florence, MA ♦ The Early Childhood Center at Northampton Public Schools is the best place to start learning more about childcare & family support programs in the greater Northampton area. The Center’s website has info on area childcare/preschool options, a Parent Child+ home visiting program, Northampton Parents Center, local playgroups, caregiver education workshops, free Ages & Stages screening tool, & link to sign-up for eNewsletters. PLUS: Northampton, Florence, & Leeds public & community-based preschools are now connected via a Preschool Partnership w/increased access to quality preschool programs. They do this w/reduced fee placements, Itinerant Special Education Services, family engagement events, professional development, & coaching for educators. For more information: 413-587-1471; earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us; www.northamptonfamilies.com

Greenfield, MA ♦ Fostering a sense of wonder through play and adventures, primarily outside, the preschool serves children aged 2-8th grade. The Center School’s program for young learners offers specially-designed environments and experiences for early education. 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: admissions@centerschool.net; 413-773-1700; www.centerschool.net.

Greenfield, MA ♦ The Y Academy on Main offers a well-rounded educational, social, creative, and physical program for preschoolers. Your Y offers a full-day preschool with early and late care options to meet the needs of working families in your community. They strive to provide activities and snacks that encourage a whole health approach at a young age. Your child will participate in a wide range of activities, including swimming, gymnastics, pre-academic skills, arts & crafts, music & movement, cooking, dramatic play, and physical education. YMCA staff will help your child be prepared for kindergarten. Schedule a tour with them today! For more information: lporter@your-y.org; 413-773-3646; www.your-y.org.

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.

Gill, MA ♦ The Y Academy at the Bolger Center offers a well-rounded educational, social, creative, and physical program for infants through preschool. Your Y offers a full-day educational experience that meets the needs of working families in our community while offering early, late care, and snow day options. Educators strive to provide activities and snacks that encourage a whole health approach at a young age. Your child will participate in a wide range of activities that include pre-academic skills, arts & crafts, music & movement, outdoor & dramatic play, and physical education. YMCA staff will help prepare your child for all the necessary milestones through kindergarten. Schedule a tour with them today! For more information: ckennedy@your-y.org; 413-498-3393; www.your-y.org.

Hatfield, MA ♦ Zephyr Behavioral Healthcare provides Center-Based ABA services to children with autism, ages 2-6. First and foremost, they want their clients to love learning. They challenge the stereotype of monotonous and repetitive behavior therapy by centering their services around play. They weave together data-driven results with a nurturing, fun-loving environment to create a balanced intervention. Their program simulates a preschool environment, with individualized and group instruction throughout the day. With 1:1 support and supervision, they identify the key skills that will prepare their clients to succeed in other environments later in life. They then break down these skills, teach smaller goals, build a strong foundation, and fill their clients’ toolboxes for the future. For more information: 413-247-6364; info@zephyrbehavioral.org; www.zephyrbehavioral.org

Leeds, MA ♦ The Early Childhood Center at Northampton Public Schools is the best place to start learning more about childcare & family support programs in the greater Northampton area. The Center’s website has info on area childcare/preschool options, a Parent Child+ home visiting program, Northampton Parents Center, local playgroups, caregiver education workshops, free Ages & Stages screening tool, & link to sign-up for eNewsletters. PLUS: Northampton, Florence, & Leeds public & community-based preschools are now connected via a Preschool Partnership w/increased access to quality preschool programs. They do this w/reduced fee placements, Itinerant Special Education Services, family engagement events, professional development, & coaching for educators. For more information: 413-587-1471; earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us; www.northamptonfamilies.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 in Northampton, all children benefit from Master’s-educated professionals trained in early childhood education, education of the deaf & hard of hearing, and speech-language pathology. Students attend 5 days per week, learning through guided exploration, authentic work & play, and experiential literature in a social context. (*Clarke’s high-quality preschool education is also available to children with typical hearing! Inquire for more details.) “One of the Valley’s best-kept secrets!” Licensed by DESE. For more information: 413-582-1144 (Voice/TTY);
mhartblay@clarkeschools.org; clarkeschools.org/northampton.

Northampton, MA ♦ The Early Childhood Center at Northampton Public Schools is the best place to start learning more about childcare & family support programs in the greater Northampton area. The Center’s website has info on area childcare/preschool options, a Parent Child+ home visiting program, Northampton Parents Center, local playgroups, caregiver education workshops, free Ages & Stages screening tool, & link to sign-up for eNewsletters. PLUS: Northampton, Florence, & Leeds public & community-based preschools are now connected via a Preschool Partnership w/increased access to quality preschool programs. They do this w/reduced fee placements, Itinerant Special Education Services, family engagement events, professional development, & coaching for educators. For more information: 413-587-1471; earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us; www.northamptonfamilies.com

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 ♦ Valley Play School is located in the heart of Shelburne Falls. It is a branch of the Girls Club of Greenfield and offers a variety of full and part time options for parents as well as a variety of subsidies. It operates year round, Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm, with breakfast and snack served daily. Two classrooms serve children 8 months to 6 years. VPS’s methods emphasize low teacher/student ratios and a healthy, enriching environment where children learn through their play and process has more importance than product. Children learn by doing in a supportive, nurturing environment that promotes pro-social behaviors. It provides diverse opportunities for quality interactions, connections and school readiness. For more information: ahawk@girlsclubofgreenfield.org; 413-625-2406; www.girlsclubofgreenfield.org.

South Amherst, MA ♦ The Tree of Life Forest School offers hands-on, place-based, healing education for children ages 4.5-8. They are located on a small homestead with nearby trails on unceded Nipmuc and Pocumtuck land. Days are full of the wonder of nature, creative play, purposeful work, and artistic activity. Nature’s tranquility, beauty, and harmony allow children to fully experience life, themselves, and each other. Authentic sensory experience creates the foundation for learning. As children feel, listen, and move in nature, they build a living inner experience that will remain at their core. Nature is an inclusive place for all children to learn and grow. Rachel is a loving and insightful teacher with 15 years of Waldorf teaching experience. For more information: 413-658-4182; treeoflifeforestschool@gmail.com; www.treeoflifeforestschool.com

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

South Deerfield, MA ♦ Cornerstones Early Childhood Development adheres to a holistic approach to early childhood education. Cornerstones is dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and welcoming learning environment for all children. The unique program incorporates numerous educational theories, allowing for hands-on, experiential learning. Cornerstones’ curriculum has a strong focus on social/emotional growth. Children will learn self-management, relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision-making, and so much more. These skills are crucial, as they form the foundations for children’s ongoing development and affect their mental health and well-being. Once they leave the center, they’re fully prepared for the next stage of their young lives!
For more information: 774-318-8378; doria@cornerstoneskids.com; www.cornerstoneskids.com.

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.

Virtual/Home-Based ♦ This full-year preschool program is a play-based curriculum designed to be used at home. Stories for each month are combined with songs, poems, games, recipes, and activities that relate to the season or the story’s theme. The activities in this course inspire an understanding of others’ feelings, provide an opportunity for creative problem solving, and teach young children how to share responsibilities and develop cognitive skills. Throughout the course, there is an expression of loving kindness and appreciation for each individual’s unique gifts, which will help children build their confidence and self-esteem. Various parent topics supplement the course, guiding those working with young children. Topics include developing a rhythm with preschoolers, telling stories, working with arts and crafts, transitioning between activities, exploring nature, and setting up a play space. For more information: info@oakmeadow.com; 802-251-7250; www.oakmeadowbookstore.com