2021 Greenwich Preschool Guide

Thank you to our sponsor, Betteridge!

The groundwork for successful experiences in the education system is largely established before Kindergarten even starts. Choosing the right school for our children is a big decision and we know that it can feel overwhelming. As you consider the learning environment, teaching style and school philosophies that best suit your child, Greenwich Moms has all of the information and resources all in one place.

The 2021 Greenwich Preschool Guide, sponsored by Betteridge, is a list of preschools in Greenwich and the surrounding areas that includes what each school offers and when to attend an Open House so that you can ask questions and take an in person or virtual look.

Scroll down to take a look!

Bright Horizons at Greenwich, located at 75 Holly Hill Lane, is a new child care center offering infant – pre-kindergarten programs.

Highlights include:

• Inviting classroom environments that stimulate interests and support developing skills
• Research-based curriculum that meets children where they are developmentally and builds confidence and excitement about learning
• Year-round program, operating Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Indoor gross motor room and large outdoor playground for daily physical activity
• An app that allows you to communicate directly with your child’s teacher

At  Chabad Gan of Greenwich Preschool your child is offered a comprehensive curriculum that includes reading readiness, concepts in numbers, science investigations, social studies, music and movement and art experiences. In addition, we expose the children to a rich and meaningful Jewish Program consisting of holidays, traditions and the Hebrew alphabet and language. We teach our curriculum through developmentally appropriate activities and creative play. Welcoming children ages 18 months – 5 years, the Gan of Greenwich Preschool offers families a warm and loving environment, where their children are guided through the beginnings of the educational process.

When it comes to education, The Children’s School celebrates the adage: Don’t save the best for last. Decades of research have proven the early years are the most important in a child’s entire education. More than middle school, high school and college? Yes. Because the period from birth to age 8 is when a foundation for life is created. Deep curiosity. Interests. Passions. Skills. Confidence. Respect for others, oneself and the natural world. Put those together, and it adds up to good habits of heart and mind for a lifetime. That is why we at The Children’s School have focused on early childhood education for 56 years, with a clear mission—nurturing good habits of heart and mind through an individualized learning program and unsurpassed teaching talent. Head of School Maureen Murphy explains, “In that time, we have melded the very best thinking about children’s astonishing capacity to learn with five decades of working with children ourselves.” That expertise means that each student is known and supported in our classrooms, courtesy of a 6-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Every student has a learning program designed expressly for them, with careful monitoring and record keeping that allow for swift adjustments if necessary at The Children’s School. It also means your child is immersed in a curriculum rich in music, art, science, movement, technology, books and more books, and a suite of learning materials that beckon children to play, which, as we know, is the basis of all learning for children. Our five-acre sustainable campus and state-of-the-art building and Art Barn enfold students in the wonders of discovering the world and self-expression.

Christ Church Preschool is proud to offer a learning community that values children’s ideas, protects the playfulness of childhood, and engages families in their child’s early education. A Reggio-inspired program for children ages 2-5, our large outdoor campus and spacious classrooms offer beautiful and engaging environments for meaningful play and learning.

CP Kids is a place for young children to learn through play and actively develop their language, cognitive, social/emotional, and motor skills. Children are given concrete experiences to encourage them to interact with the world around them and explore new ideas and materials. An integrated curriculum is utilized to reinforce themes and understanding. The CP Kids toddler and preschool children participate in several extracurricular activities each week. These activities bring them into the Chelsea Piers facility daily and allow them to exercise their bodies so that their minds are ready to learn!

• Multi-Sport Classes

• Creative Movement

• Music Class

• Spanish Class

Little Phoenix offers a comprehensive early childhood program providing exceptional, affordable care to children aged 6 weeks through 6 years. Our programming incorporates CT Early Learning and Developmental Standards with an emphasis on modeling/teaching respect for self, the environment, and others. We offer a curriculum rich with fun and exciting hands-on experiences. The atmosphere here is safe and caring; we nurture each child’s ability to learn through play with a variety of developmentally appropriate activities in and outside of the classroom. Our goal is to encourage independence, individuality, creativity, and a positive self-image for every child in our care.

First Presbyterian Church Nursery School, serving ages 2 – 5 since 1957, has teachers who are passionate about inspiring your children! They value their community of joyful children, nurturing teachers and supportive families. First Presby has a rolling admissions process and enrolls children on a first come, first served basis beginning October 15, 2021.  

Complete an application HERE 

Open a world of opportunities for your child with a distinctive bilingual education and a curriculum that emphasizes the sciences. For over 40 years, German International School New York (GISNY), an independent Pre-K through Grade 12 college preparatory program, cultivates students to develop into curious, analytical, and conscientious global citizens. Our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs offer a bright, spacious, and nurturing environment, and with our Nature-Based Early Childhood Educational program our students enjoy most of their school day outdoors exploring, learning, and playing on our beautiful 20-acre campus. Children entering our Pre-K or Kindergarten programs are not required to speak or understand German and build the foundation of being bilingual by first grade. All nationalities are welcome! 

Greenwich Catholic School’s Pre K Program at The Dougherty Center for Early Learning is unique in many  ways. Our curriculum fosters all areas of a child’s development. We balance small and large group learning, structured and independent activities, small and large motor play as well as quiet time. Our preschool children are fully  integrated in our school family. They take part in many of GCS’s enrichment classes such as gym, music, foreign language, art, and library. We use effective teaching approaches that are also developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate for young children. Children come to GCS to become independent, self confident learners.

Greenwich Christian Preschool is nestled on a beautiful four acre campus in Cos Cob. We offer a nurturing environment for children to grow socially and academically. We offer classes for ages 2-5 with a fully dedicated bridge program to prepare your child for Kindergarten. Call us today for a tour of our beautiful campus. We look forward to meeting you.

Little Friends is an independent, year-round early childhood program for children from infancy through pre-kindergarten. Their play-based, child-centered program fosters children’s individual development within a warm, nurturing and happy community. Our curriculum incorporates music, art, language, literacy, active play, pro-social, and self-help skills development. Our classroom plans are developmentally appropriate to foster creativity, curiosity and confidence in our Little Friends. We are private and family owned early childhood program, proudly offering excellence in Early Childhood care and education since 2006.​ We welcome children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. We are a 12 month program and are open Monday – Friday 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM.

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. Teachers at the Long Ridge School 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.

Putnam Indian Field School’s mission is to inspire confidence, curiosity, creativity and a sense of community in every child we teach. PIFS is an independent, co-educational preschool for toddlers through prekindergarten. Putnam Indian Field School has been the premier early childhood program in the Greenwich area for more than 40 years. Rooted in a play-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, it provides children with an outstanding first school experience and a love of learning.

The Preschool is an independent, non-sectarian preschool for children ages 2 through 5 (which includes a dedicated 5’s program) centrally located on 5 acres in Greenwich.  For 25 years the Preschool’s mission has been to provide a warm and creative atmosphere to foster young children’s social, emotional and intellectual growth through child-centered curriculum.  We offer additional lunch and enrichment programs to extend your child’s day.

Round Hill Nursery School is an independent nursery school located in the backcountry of Greenwich for over 70 years, offering a comprehensive learning experience for toddlers through Pre-K. The curriculum at Round Hill Nursery School offers children experiences which encourage growth in social, physical, cognitive and creative areas.

Rye Country Day School is a Pre-K through Grade 12 co-educational, college preparatory school serving 900+ students from Westchester and Fairfield Counties and New York City. Providing an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches, RCDS offers a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. The School promotes moral responsibility and strength of character within a respectful, diverse, and nurturing learning community. Rye Country Day students are engaged, passionate learners, who exemplify the School’s commitment to teaching empathy, critical thinking, active citizenship, and service. The RCDS motto, Not for Self, but for Service, guides teachers, students, and families and stresses the core belief in the potential of each individual to have a positive, lasting impact. 

The mission of the Barat Center for Early Childhood Education at Sacred Heart Greenwich is to honor the young child through an appreciation of their developmental and transitional needs. The program provides rich learning experiences in phonological and phonemic awareness, emergent literacy, number sense, and fine and gross motor development. Sacred Heart Greenwich is highly committed to immersing children in the natural world by using outdoor classroom experiences that highlight concepts and skills. Additionally, Barat Center introduces them to enriching offerings, such as world languages, art, music, and technology.

St. Saviour’s Church Nursery School is a place of exploration, inquiry, discovery, and joy. For nearly 50 years, we have been committed to knowing each child’s individual interests, strengths, and challenges in order to foster optimal intellectual, social, and emotional development. Through a literature-based curriculum focused on project-based experiences, we prepare our students to be confident problem-solvers, creative collaborators, and strong communicators––eager and well-equipped for a lifetime of learning. Our program is also committed to providing a safe environment for your child. A co-educational, independent preschool located in Old Greenwich, CT, St. Saviour’s offers part-day programs for two, three, four, and five-year-old children, and is accredited by the NAEYC.

Temple Sholom Selma Maisel Nursery School (SMNS) offers a one-of-a-kind educational experience for families with children as young as six weeks old through pre-school, with both full/part-day options available. Children enjoy hands-on learning in the STEAM Lab, Gymnastics Studio, Animal Discovery Room, Recycling Makerspace and unique outdoor play areas. Their teachers and staff are experienced and professional, and support an individualized approach to education and care. While guided by Jewish values, SMNS welcomes families of all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds.

Sound Beach Day School is a private progressive program influenced by the Reggio Emilia and Project Approach Philosophies of teaching. They educate children from 20 months to 5-years old, offering half and full-day programs. Class size is small to enable project-based and individualized learning experience taught by a highly educated staff.

A Loving and Creative Environment: Beginnings through Be4k programs (early 2’s through 5) St. Paul’s Day School, a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. They foster the growth and development of each child academically, socially and spiritually. They strive to encourage wonder, support self paced learning and instill a sense of community. They offer flexible extended day lunch programs and enrichments.

Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision. Whitby is a co-educational independent school that provides educational continuity for children 18 months through Grade 8. The premier Whitby Montessori Children’s House program (with a 60+ year history) includes Stepping Stones for the youngest students and transitions to Primary for 3-5 years olds. WMCH 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, Connecticut on a beautiful 30-acre campus.

With an international student body aged 15-months to 5-years old, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Preschool Center provides a unique early learning experience that builds a strong platform for a life-long love of learning. Preschool students have the opportunity to participate in activities such as gymnastics, swimming and Spanish. YWCA Greenwich Preschool programs are licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and comply with regulation standards for health and safety. Financial aid is available for income-eligible families.

Bridges School

First Church Preschool

The JCC Preschool at Greenwich Reform Synagogue

Mencius Mandarin Preschool