Preschools in the Hartford Area

8/24/16 - By Clementina Verge

Preschool. Once upon a time, it was mostly a time for play dates, but today, childhood experts agree that attending a high-quality program prepares little ones socially and academically for the school years ahead. Deciding which preschool to choose can be tricky since programs can be customized, such as nature-based preschools, or those that offer a bilingual environment.

Below are 10 suggestions for preschools in the Hartford area; no doubt, we’ve missed some great ones, so feel free to share them with us in the Comments section. Our Preschool Guide also includes a few suggestions for those residing in Fairfield County.

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The Goddard School
Promising to set the stage for self-confidence and to inspire social success, the play-based curriculum includes lessons in math, science, dramatic play, creative art, and computers.

6 Bridgewater Road, Farmington 860-967-3125
208 Eastern Boulevard, Glastonbury 860-266-2318

The Village Nursery School
For more than 50 years, children ages 3-5 have began their academic careers here. Teachers encourage creative expression through role play, song and dance, and language arts; young students also enjoy science projects and visits to the Barney Library.

67 Main Street, Farmington 860-674-9790

Educational Playcare
Classrooms here are divided into activity centers that range from science and math, to music, construction, literacy, and dramatic play. Full- and part-time educational programs are offered to children 6 weeks to 12 years old. 

144 Simsbury Road, Avon 860-409-7051 

Beatrice Fox Auerbach Early Childhood Center
Designed to give children opportunities to master the social, emotional, and physical tasks of each developmental stage in a healthy, safe, and caring Jewish environment.

335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford 860-231-6345

Breakthrough Magnet School
According to its website, this is the first of only three magnet schools in the nation whose theme is character education, and the only school in Connecticut to provide "Mindfulness" training to all its students.

290 Brookfield Street, Hartford 860-695-5704 

The Learning Center
The school offers a hands-on and age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on learning through play. Also includes locations in Windsor and South Windsor.

501 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester 860-643-8639

Stork Club, Inc.
Complete child care, nursery school, and before/after school programs with transportation provided. Accepting ages 6 weeks to 9 years. Children practice social skills and communication, creative and artistic exploration, literacy development, and mathematics.

588 Cromwell Avenue (Rte. 3), Rocky Hill 860-563-9096 

The Children’s Museum Preschool
Children ages 3-5 are encouraged to explore, discover, imagine and create. The program includes weekly visits to the planetarium, wildlife sanctuary, and science lessons. Flexible schedules are offered for working families

950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford 860-523-7449 

Early Learning Center at Imagine Nation
A mixed age classroom is open to all children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old, with a teacher to child ratio of 1:3. Tuition is based on a sliding fee scale according to a family's gross income and size. Care4Kids subsidies are also accepted for families who qualify.

One Pleasant Street, Bristol 860-314-1400

Allaya Daycare and Preschool
Greater Hartford's only 24-hour care facility, Allaya offers a comprehensive educational program, while a licensed RN on staff can take care of any health needs that arrive. Services include caring for children with special needs. 

56 South Whitney Street, Hartford 860-231-7824

Duck Pond Day Care
Founded in 1993, this family-oriented day care offers support for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Activities, determined by age, include outside play, quiet time, morning circle, music and movement, books and puzzles, and math and science activities.

132 New Haven Avenue, Milford 203-878-9876
84 Washington Avenue, Hamden 203-281-3825

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