Preschools in the Fairfield County Area
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Fairfield County KidsOutAndAbout Preschool Newsletter |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Are you planning to have your children attend preschool this year? Or are you thinking about whether it's the best option for your family? Do you have a friend who is thinking about preschool for her kids? If any of these is true, this special annual edition of our newsletter is for YOU! We provide not only options for where to start your search in our area, but also some tips for what to
think about and what to look for as you start the process.
KidsOutAndAbout has a large list of local preschools that have posted to our site; this list is provided in the LISTS/Preschools & Childcare list linked from the menu on every
page of KidsOutAndAbout. In this newsletter, first, we have some featured preschools with descriptions of their programs. Next, we provide a list of links to some additional schools. And last, we provide tips for helping you evaluate preschools when you visit, to see if they are right for you.
Remember: SAVE THIS NEWSLETTER and forward it along! If you or one of your friends is in the market for a preschool, it's a handy
reference.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. |
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The early years are when a foundation for life is created: deep curiosity, interests, passions, skills, confidence, and respect for others, oneself, and the natural world. The Children’s School, with over 60 years of expertise, supports each student with
dedicated teachers and a personalized program. Children are immersed in a rich curriculum of music, art, science, movement, numeracy, and books, with materials designed to inspire hands-on exploration. Here hearts and minds are nurtured in an environment filled with learning and love. We invite you to attend an upcoming open house or schedule a private tour to experience our sustainable campus and state-of-the-art building, meet our staff, and learn more about our innovative programs for
children ages 3 to 8.
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Greenwich’s Temple Sholom Selma Maisel Nursery School (SMNS) is a place where learning is active, joyful, and intentional. Our curriculum is designed to support each child’s academic, social, emotional, and physical development through meaningful
experiences and trusted relationships. Professional teachers thoughtfully guide children as they explore early literacy, math, science, and creative expression—through play, inquiry, and hands-on discovery. We offer unique indoor learning spaces such as a dedicated STEAM lab, animal discovery room, and gymnastics studio. We invite you to contact David Cohen, Director of Schools, at 203-622-8121 or david.cohen@templesholom.com to schedule a tour.
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King School unlocks the power of wonder, and students PreK-12 become agents in their own learning. Starting at age 3, students in our early childhood program explore the world around them through an approach to teaching and learning known as the Reggio
Emilia-inspired methodology. This child-centered and self-guided method allows students to explore, make connections, and learn from their environment.
King’s teachers create learning opportunities incorporating students’ ideas and interests; our program encourages students to ask questions, gather data, learn research skills, make models, and share their learning with their peers. Learn how we do this every day by visiting our website.
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Celebrating Childhood, Preparing for the Future
Long Ridge: where young students grow, thrive, and develop a lifelong love of learning. With a unique focus on nursery and elementary education, The Long Ridge School is a warm, joyful environment where students excel through progressive, inquiry-based, personalized learning. When you visit our expansive, idyllic campus, you’ll find an inclusive community, where teachers, students, and parents of all backgrounds work together to guide children toward
becoming compassionate global citizens. Our teachers nurture each child’s strengths and interests—instilling confidence and leadership skills; fostering academic, social, and emotional development; and collaboratively building for each student the foundation for a fulfilling future.
Please visit…
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Ridgefield Academy/Landmark Preschool is a preschool - Grade 8 program by design. The intellectually inspiring curriculum fosters joyful learning and uplifts each student to rise to their authentic self. Students benefit from small classes, individualized
attention, and a vibrant, connected community that encourages them to take risks and speak their mind. The Ridgefield, CT campus offers programs for preschool through Grade 8. The Westport, CT and Bedford, NY campuses offer preschool programs for ages 2-5.
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At Hudson Country Montessori School (Danbury and New Rochelle locations), your child is seen, supported, and celebrated. Our Toddler and Primary Programs are thoughtfully designed to nurture each child’s natural curiosity, independence, and joy for
learning. From the boundless energy of toddlers to the growing confidence of preschoolers, we guide children to explore at their own pace in classrooms that feel like family. With Montessori-trained educators, hands-on materials, and a deep respect for every child’s unique strengths, we help students build a strong foundation for lifelong success. At Hudson, children don’t just learn—they discover who they are, what they love, and how to thrive.
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A Waldorf Early Childhood Education Center offering Infant and Toddler Care, Flexible Nursery, and Mixed-Age Kindergarten. Our Family Center offers Parent & Child Classes, Virtual Parenting Classes, and more! Our Waldorf Early Childhood Programs and
Family Center trusts in the wisdom of the child through imaginative play, nature, community, movement, and daily rhythms that lay the foundation for academic learning and inner confidence.
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Brunswick is a college-preparatory day school for boys of genuine potential and differing backgrounds in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. Despite dramatic change during the course of its 116-year history, Brunswick has dedicated itself to staying true to
its founding goals and intent.
In all we do, we uphold our founder’s commitment: “Ably and generously preparing boys for life.” We believe deeply in the tremendous potential of boys, and we have deliberately and successfully sculpted an educational experience that emphasizes rigorous traditional learning, self-discipline, and character development. Our philosophy is fulfilled as we build young men of character through the educational experience that is uniquely Brunswick.
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Connecticut Friends School is a preschool for children ages 2 to 5 years old located on 5 wooded acres in Wilton, Connecticut. Our curriculum emphasizes social-emotional intelligence, community building, peaceful conflict resolution, problem-solving, and
critical thinking. Students learn in a collaborative atmosphere that is the result of a child-centered, experiential and play-based curriculum taught by experienced teachers. We prioritize outdoor play on our beautiful 5-acres campus set serenely among the trees in the heart of Wilton, CT. Our ambition for the children is high as they build, in the context of community, life skills that will help them succeed with the academic challenges to come in grade school and beyond as well
as their personal efficacy as they navigate the terrain of…
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We are a community of families and educators that work together to provide happy and secure, mixed-age, Montessori environments for Toddlers (21-36 months), Primary Preschool and Kindergarten (3-6 years old) and Elementary (6-9 years of age).
Guided by their curiosity and their teacher, children choose activities that meet their developmental needs and spark their interest. Imagine a peaceful classroom of 20 children where all are busy, concentrating on their own freely chosen activity or cooperating with a friend. There you have a Montessori classroom! We invite you to see ours in action.
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Hamden Hall Country Day School, an independent, college preparatory, coeducational PreSchool through Grade 12 day school, fosters the individual growth of every student. We challenge students to develop a strong sense of personal integrity, social
responsibility, and a global perspective, while preparing them for demanding academic programs at the collegiate level.
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We provide quality programs and services that meet the social, cultural, educational, and recreational needs of everyone in the community.
The Beverly Levy Early Learning Center, located at the JCC of Greater New Haven, is a quality full-time/part-time program for children, from infancy through pre-K, ages 3 months to 5 years old.
We provide a supportive, nurturing environment which promotes the emotional, social, physical and cognitive development of the whole child, while responding to the needs of their families. We believe that a strong and continuous home-school connection is essential to your child’s educational experience. This begins with our youngest children in the baby rooms through pre-K. We are all working together to ensure that your children feel loved and safe in
an…
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We are a 207 Acre Nature preserve. We offer Peter Pratt Nature School, A licensed outdoor preschool/ kindergarten, Year in the Woods: a school age program, Summer Camp, out of school programs, hiking, bird-watching, farm animals, and nature education for
all ages including programs tailor-made for the classroom or scout troop as well as for family or community enjoyment and learning.
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SCSS educates students from PreK-3 to grade 8 from local towns such as Trumbull, Shelton, Monroe, Stratford, Easton, Bridgeport, and more. As a Catholic School, we are here to educate the whole child, mind, body, and spirit. By blending traditional learning
methods with technology, whole-group with small-group and individual instruction, and hands-on learning experiences, we have created a place where students thrive academically, socially, spiritually, and personally.
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Whitby is a co-educational independent school that provides educational continuity for children 18 months through Grade 8 and attracts families from the Westchester-Fairfield area. The premier Whitby Montessori Children’s House three-year program and the
highly-recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Grades 1-8 form the foundation that empowers Whitby students to think creatively and critically, preparing them as life-long learners and global citizens. Whitby is located in Greenwich, CT on a beautiful 30-acre campus.
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What kind of preschool best suits your child?
Those nice parenting articles always tell you to make sure you choose a preschool that best suits your child's personality--but then rarely provide any specifics on what will give you those clues. Children vary widely in their responses to different situations. Think
about where your child falls on the following dimensions, and think about your own personal preferences for what a preschool experience should be like for your child. Then, when you visit preschools, ask the administrators (and observe yourself) about how well the school's philosophy matches your children's needs. - Playing and learning: Do these seem like separate times at the preschool, or are play and learning time integrated?
- The setting: Is your goal to get your child used
to a school setting, or is it important that the setting feel more like home?
- Specific learning goals: Do you have academic milestones or religious needs that you would like met? Think about this before you set out, and refine your thoughts as you visit more schools.
- Introverts and extroverts: If your child falls on one end of introvert-extrovert scale, it's important to realize this and see what would be expected of them at each preschool (especially important for the
introverts).
- Active play: Does the school provide resources for physically active play that match your child's needs?
- Rest: Kids have different rhythms and requirements for rest. Think about what your child's specific needs are to ensure that they will be accommodated.
- Structure: Some kids do better with lots of structure, while other families feel that they already have enough structure and prefer that a preschool ensure lots of time for unstructured play and
interaction.
- Discipline: What happens when kids misbehave at school? Does the school's philosophy match yours?
- Safety: Safety is a big concern. Think carefully about your standards for keeping kids safe, and observe how the school meets your expectations.
If your child attends (or attended) a great preschool that is not currently on our big preschool list (the easiest way to find out is to search in the big search bar on the top of every KidsOutAndAbout page), please
email me back and we'll contact them immediately to see if they'd like to be on this list! |
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