Best Pre-school Education Schools Hartford Near Me

4worldlovers: Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery School, located in West Hartford, Connecticut, is a warm and inviting preschool. We welcome your family to this special and unique learning environment!

Quaker Lane was established in 1950 by an energetic group of parents who believed children develop best at their own pace in a happy and stimulating environment. We are one of the longest operating preschools in West Hartford.

4worldlovers: The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a comprehensive National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited public preschool program located at Aiken Elementary School and Whiting Lane Elementary School. It is also designed to meet the needs of West Hartford children between the ages of three and five years old identified with speech and language, developmental, social, behavioral or academic delays. Students with special education needs are referred to the ELC from several sources: parents, community based pre-schools, the State of Connecticut Birth-to-Three Program, teacher, public and private agencies and pediatricians.

The ELC program implements the Creative Curriculum for Preschool. This curriculum is a play-based approach grounded in research and early childhood theory. Teachers plan for and assess your children’s development using the companion assessment tool called Teaching Strategies GOLD.


An inclusive program, with approximately 50% students identified with special needs and 50% typically developing peer models per classroom.

Children with special needs are determined eligible through the Special Education Planning and Placement Team (PPT) process.

Children exhibiting age appropriate development can be considered for the program as Peer Playmates. These children are selected by a screening and lottery process and pay tuition upon entering the program.

Located at both Whiting Lane Elementary School and Aiken Elementary School. The ELC Team determines program location for each student based on availability and program needs.

All teachers at the Early Learning Center are dual certified in early childhood education and special education.

Three or Four years of age by October 31st of the intended school year

Ability to model age appropriate skills in the areas of social, play, adaptive behaviors, and expressive/receptive communication

Completion of the application and participation in our early childhood screening is required

Child Find requires school districts to identify resident children, ages birth to five years, who may be in need of special education services. Through Child Find, WHPS offers evaluations at no charge to determine whether a child has an impairment impacting their development. Following the evaluation, eligible children are referred to appropriate programs and services. If you have questions about his/her development, or suspect that your child may have special education needs, please call our lead secretary, Denise Savignano at 860-233-1455.

The Early Learning Center follows the West Hartford Public Schools calendar. Preschool classes meet four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday) for a 2.5-hour session.

PreK 3 students attend the AM session and PreK 4 students attend the PM session.

There is a $425 materials fee per semester ($850 per school year) for students who are accepted as peer models through the lottery process.

Deadlines related to registration and payment are required to be met in order to ensure acceptance in the Early Learning Center.

Once the application is completed you will be contacted to have your child participate in a play based screening. Child and parent must be available on assigned screening day.

4worldlovers: BrightPath Avon daycare provides age-appropriate programs and activities that emphasize learning through exploration and play.

Our Berlin daycare contains inclusive environments for all children and their families, including children from diverse backgrounds.

Our Cheshire child care center has many features, such as a great play atmosphere in our classrooms, outdoor play areas and dedicated educators that love what they do.

At our BrightPath East Hampton center, our child care environments allow children to discover new concepts, mysteries and new possibilities.

Our BrightPath Ellington center has daycare educators that understand the needs of all children and encourage children to be themselves.


BrightPath Farmington daycare center works to build connections between children, educators and communities.

Our BrightPath Glastonbury child care centers have devoted teachers that make learning fun and encourage resilience and independence in children.


BrightPath Madison works with your family to promote excellence in early childhood education and child care.

Our BrightPath Manchester daycare staff aims to provide a well-balanced learning environment where children are free to observe, question, experiment and explore.

4worldlovers:

Montessori School of Greater Hartford will cultivate future generations of capable and compassionate individuals who have the courage to pursue their convictions and be catalysts of peace.

“The Montessori School of Greater Hartford fosters a strong foundation for confident, compassionate participation in the world by nurturing each child’s unique gifts, passion for learning, and independence. As a community, we enrich families, live our diversity, and embody the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) standards of excellence.”

4worldlovers:
At CREC Montessori Magnet School, we are proud to be the first Public Montessori School in Connecticut. Our Association Montessori International (AMI) recognition status is the most esteemed affiliation in the Montessori community.

An environment that allows for maximum freedom of movement and choice.

An overall emphasis on intrinsic motivation rather than rewards or punishments.

Prepared staff who are skilled at observation, preparing an environment, and interacting with children in positive, respectful ways.

•2022 Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognized Principal, Dr. Antonio Napoleone is an AMI trained administrator

•Teachers of the year at CREC - Mr. Foday Dumbuya and Mr. Joseph DePasqua

•District Teachers of the Year in other districts - Mrs. Jessica Leon and Ms. Saray Solet

•District Core Value Awards Jessica Leon (Embrace Collaboration) and Wanda Miller & Yesenia Rivera-Ortiz (Demand Equity)

•Top 100 Elementary Schools in the State of CT in 2017 (Niche rankings)

4worldlovers: Come join the excitement as children at our preschool explore and participate in a variety of activities that are designed to awaken their curiosity and facilitate the discovery of the world around them. Our teachers offer programs filled with child-centered activities that foster curiosity and a strong desire to learn. Our focus is on each child’s needs and stage of development as we incorporate hands-on fun that stimulates creativity, the ability to express oneself, scientific understanding, as well as mathematics and literacy skills for each child. While learning academic skills is important, preschool children are also developing social skills that will last a lifetime. Put it all together and what do you get? An amazing opportunity for your child to shine in a safe and nurturing environment.

Special visits by community helpers, such as Fire Fighters, Police Officers, a Librarian, Dental Hygienists, and more

A Museum Membership for 2 named adults and up to 3 additional family members (additional children and caregivers can be added)– Click here for more information on the benefits of being a member

And, most importantly, your children will come home happy and excited about their day at school!

Don’t just tell your children about the world, show them.