Top 10- Preschool Listing on Nantucket

Finding the right preschool for your child can be a difficult task. There are so many factors to consider such as the style of instruction, how much free time the students have and if the center aligns with your preferences. All these considerations can make it quite difficult to select the right preschool for you and your child on Nantucket.

Fortunately, we have decided to create this article, which helps take the guesswork out of finding the right preschool listing on Nantucket. In this article, you will discover a plethora of preschools with varying instruction styles, ensuring you can always find something for you.

Preschool Listing on Nantucket

Exploration Station

Address: 2 S Pasture Lane | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Exploration Station is a premier preschool in Nantucket that caters to children aged 2.9-8 years. This preschool provides a secure space for exploration, imagination, discovery, and creativity. Guided by a mission to offer a safe and inspiring environment, the preschool’s philosophy revolves around science and art enrichment, fostering a deep understanding of the world.

Led by Melanie, a UMass Amherst graduate in Art/Science Elementary Education, the preschool combines her passion for education and love for Nantucket. Melanie’s commitment is evident in her diverse programs, including Cosmic Creations and Seafari Girls, culminating in the establishment of Exploration Station in 2012—a hub for educational excellence and childhood adventures.

Montessori Children’s House of Nantucket

Address: P.O. Box 2121 | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Montessori Children’s House of Nantucket embodies the time-tested principles of Dr. Maria Montessori’s groundbreaking educational philosophy. Rooted in over a century of success worldwide, the school embraces a child-centered approach that views each child as inherently eager for knowledge.

Through multiage groupings, uninterrupted work time, and specially designed materials, the environment fosters independence, freedom, and order. Teachers guide the learning triangle, allowing children to engage in sensory-motor activities, mirroring the real world. Montessori Children’s House of Nantucket provides a thoughtfully prepared space where children flourish physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

Nantucket Elementary School

Address: 30 Surfside Rd | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Nantucket Elementary School is a cornerstone of the Nantucket Public Schools district. As part of a comprehensive educational network, the school, alongside its counterparts, contributes to the island’s educational landscape. Operated by the Nantucket Public Schools, the district, with its various departments, provides quality education.

The school committee, elected by the community, plays a crucial role in shaping the district’s educational philosophy and policies. Nantucket Elementary School reflects a commitment to transparency and community involvement by having regular meetings open to the public. This policy helps in fostering a nurturing and enriching learning environment.

Small Friends on Nantucket

Address: 21 Nobadeer Farm Rd | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Small Friends on Nantucket was created more than 30 years ago as a response to the island’s critical need for affordable childcare. Founded by the late Bernie Grossman and early childhood educator Anne Bradt, the preschool initially operated from a temporary space provided by the Congregational Church.

Evolving over the years, Small Friends found its permanent home on Nobadeer Farm Road in 2008, achieving LEED Gold Certification for its eco-friendly building. Committed to affordability, excellence, and community support, Small Friends has played a vital role in shaping the island’s early education landscape, fostering growth and development in generations of Nantucket’s children.

Nantucket Community School

Address: 10 Surfside Rd | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Nantucket Community School is a leading preschool on the island that is known for its Early Childhood Education & Enrichment programs. This preschool exists due to a collaboration with the Town of Nantucket, Nantucket Public Schools, and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), offers exceptional opportunities for children aged birth to eight years.

Furthermore, these innovative and free programs are supported by the EEC’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant. Nantucket Community School is committed to enriching early learning experiences, while also laying down the marker in collaborative efforts.

Blue Star Family Day Care

Address: 11B Mary Ann Dr | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Blue Star Family Day Care in Nantucket provides a safe and enjoyable learning environment for children. Founded by Pam Lawrence, an experienced Child Care Provider, and Allyssa Terino, the center focuses on play-based learning for infants, toddlers, and beyond.

Pam’s extensive background includes studying Early Childhood Education at Becker College and working with special needs children. Allyssa, a Nantucket native, brings her passion for childcare and diverse experience. Together, they create a nurturing space for children to learn, grow, and have fun.

Nantucket New School

Address: 15 Nobadeer Farm Rd | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Established in 1985 through the collaborative vision of six families, the Nantucket New School (NNS) began its educational journey in the basement of Prentice and Patti Claflin’s home.  Accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England in 2009, the school expanded its reach with a pre-school program in 2007.

Merging with Strong Wings in 2010, NNS thrived, completing the Building Futures Capital Campaign in 2010. Today, the school, now part of the Nantucket Partnership for Children, is known for providing outstanding education on the island.

Nantucket Lighthouse School

Address: 1 Rugged Rd | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Nantucket Lighthouse School represents holistic education on the island. The school has a philosophy that centers childhood as a magical and pivotal time, by providing an environment where curiosity and wonder illuminate the learning experience.

Through an integrated curriculum encompassing literacy, math, science, history, and creative arts, students at Nantucket Lighthouse School not only develop critical thinking skills but also embark on a journey of self-discovery and joy. The school’s commitment extends beyond intellectual growth, emphasizing ethical development and nurturing qualities such as compassion, kindness, and love, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the self, others, and the world.

Rising Tide Preschool

Address: 16 Newtown Road | Nantucket, Ma 02554
City/Town: Nantucket

Rising Tide Preschool, in Nantucket, provides a secure and stimulating center for children’s growth and development. The preschool shows a commitment to offering the finest early education and top-notch care. It does this by emphasizing individual development across social, emotional, language, self-help, cognitive, and physical domains.

Some of the goals include fostering student-initiated activities, ensuring strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, arts, and sciences, and encouraging parental involvement. Collaborating with educational experts, Rising Tide Preschool goes beyond state standards, promoting a curriculum that sparks exploration, inquiry, and high-level thinking—a testament to their dedication to teaching excellence and a bright future for every child.

Pollywogs Nature PlaySchool

Address: P.O. Box 2808 | Nantucket, Ma 02584
City/Town: Nantucket

Pollywogs Nature Playschool is committed to providing an environment for holistic development via its Play & Nature-based education. The school has a mission rooted in providing a safe and nurturing environment which in turn educates and nourishes the mind, body, and spirit of each child.

Emphasizing reverence for all living things, including nature and fellow beings, Pollywogs acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of the Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) nation. By honoring Indigenous Peoples’ nature-based learning practices, the school instills values of compassion and humane living, ensuring that every child grows with a deep appreciation for goodness and the diversity of life.

A Comprehensive Guide That Eliminates Guess Work

Selecting the right preschool on Nantucket can be a challenging task, given the myriad of considerations involved. However, this comprehensive guide for preschool listings on Nantucket eliminates the guesswork, presenting a diverse range of top preschools on the island. Each establishment, from Exploration Station to Pollywogs Nature Playschool, offers unique approaches to education, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every child and parent.

Whether rooted in Montessori principles, community collaboration, or nature-based learning, these preschools prioritize holistic development, fostering a love for knowledge and a sense of responsibility. This preschool listing on Nantucket guide ensures parents can make informed decisions, laying a strong foundation for their child’s educational journey.