Local Childcare Directory

Chilmark Preschool believes that it is essential to create a physical and social environment that promotes respect for all, a positive learning atmosphere and a safe place where children are valued as individuals. Children are viewed as competent, curious and creative. It is their genuine enthusiasm for learning about the world around them that drives our curriculum. The daily activities at Chilmark Preschool reflect these values and visions.

8 State Road, P.O. Box 425, Chilmark
508-645-2562, X 110
Open September – June
Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m.

Contact: Ursula Costin
www.chilmarkpreschool.com

A nature preschool located at Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown, Fern & Feather supports children’s individual growth and innate curiosity through nature-based learning and discovery.  Our emergent curriculum grows from the interests of the children, ages 2.9-5, immersed in a diversity of ecosystems and explored through the lenses of science, math, early literacy, and social/emotional understanding.

100 Felix Neck Drive
Edgartown, MA 02539

(508) 627-4850

Open Sept-June
Monday-Friday 8:30-3:45pm

Preschool Director: Ryan Ofsthun
Fern & Feather Preschool Webpage

First Light strives to offer the highest quality of care and education for toddlers and preschoolers. They believe all children are thinkers, researchers, and problem-solvers. The program revolves around valuing relationships, open dialogue, play and collaboration, which First Light believes supports the development of strong relationships between all members of the community.

66 Williams Street, P.O. Box 4623, Vineyard Haven
508-693-0660
Open Year-Round; 7:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Contact: Elizabeth Bonifacio, Director
vineyardpreschool@yahoo.com

Garden Gate is a small, non-profit preschool and toddler center, offering full and part-time school-year programs and a summer program. Their philosophy and program goals have been influenced by the approach to early childhood education originating in the infant/toddler centers and preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community.

119 West Spring Street, Box 2666, Vineyard Haven
508-696-9997
www.gardengatecdc.wix.com/gardengate
Contacts: Leigh Ann Yuen and Dawn Warner

Grace Preschool is a non-sectarian program which welcomes all children ages 2.9-5 years of age with an excellent adult to child ratio allowing for individual attention. Through a play environment rich with creativity, wonder and discovery among the various development domains, children are able to thrive and develop a strong sense of self and social competence. We believe that every child’s primary teacher is the parent and we work to partner with the parents to support the child every day. Each year we offer a strong enrichment program inviting various members from the community to work with the children. Programs have included music, drama, storytelling, skating, and gardening along with numerous field trips and making connections with the elderly at Havenside.

36 Woodlawn Ave, P.O. Box 1197, Vineyard Haven
508-693-0332
Open September-June, 8:00am-4:00pm
Contact: Penelope Wong, Director

Island Children’s School strives to meet the needs of the whole child through a dynamic, emergent curriculum. Teachers are attuned to each child’s needs and interests, and support individual growth through a variety of classroom activities that consider the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional facets of learning.

5 Halcyon Way, West Tisbury
P.O. Box 1630, Vineyard Haven
508-693-5815
Open September – June: 7:30am-4:00pm (offer 6 week summer program)
Contact: Yvonne Fisher, Director
www.islandchildren.org
Islandchildren@comcast.net

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Early Education and Care Center is a nationally accredited play-based full-day year-round program serving children 6 months – 5 years. The indoor environment and two spacious playgrounds are creatively designed to encourage hands-on exploration and discovery. The curriculum, which is tailored to the individual needs and interests of the children, supports the development of age appropriate social and problem-solving skills, the arts, physical development, social studies and STEM activities – science, technology, engineering and math. The curriculum also supports English

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services
111 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs
508-693-7900 x280
Open Year Round, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Contact: Judy Thomas

Project Headway is a play-based preschool program that serves children ages three to five with and without disabilities. The children participate in a typical preschool schedule that includes activities such as circle, small and large group activities, gross motor play, fine motor opportunities, music, science, manipulatives, and art. The curriculum focuses on communication skills, social skills, and encouraging children to learn through play in both teacher and child-directed activities. The program is designed to meet the needs of all children through developmentally appropriate activities. Field trips are also taken throughout the year to support thematic units and utilize local resources.

Old County Road, West Tisbury Elementary School
Mailing Address: 4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven
508-693-2007 x26
Open Sept-June, 8:30—1:30
Contact: Jen Royal

At Plum Hill, we are inspired by Waldorf educational philosophy to nurture the pure creative play by which children do their most profound learning. We provide simple, natural materials to engage the child’s imagination and fine art resources to foster artistic expression. Fairy tales, told by heart, puppet plays, and music weave beauty into the daily rhythm. Children help tend the garden, bake the bread, mend the toys. Much of the child’s day is spent exploring the world of nature in the fields and farms. We celebrate the changing seasons with songs, crafts, and family festivals. By our example, we encourage reverence for all life, enthusiasm for work, compassion for each other.

Off New Lane, West Tisbury
P.O. Box 971, West Tisbury
508-696-7701
Open September-June; 8:30—3:00
Contact: Laura Marashlian and Lucia Dillion
www.plumhillschool.com info@plumhillschool.com

Rainbow Place offers an individualized program to a mixed age-group of preschool children. We provide a rich social environment which helps develop self-confidence and strong communication skills. Children choose from specially planned activities or learning centers, moving from small to large group activities throughout the day. Our curriculum evolves from careful observations of children, their many ideas, and interests. Included in our learning experiences are field trips to local businesses and places of interest, special guests, and cultural activities. Learning at Rainbow Place is an active experience for all children.

34 Anthiers Way, Edgartown
508-627-8607
Open year-round, 8:00-4:00
Contact: Cindy Andrews

Embracing the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori, Vineyard Montessori School provides a carefully planned, stimulating environment which helps children develop within themselves the foundational habits, attitudes, skills, and ideas which are essential for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning. Children learn at their own speed in a prepared environment according to their own speed in a prepared environment according to their own capacities and in a non-competitive atmosphere.

286 Main Street, Box 994, Vineyard Haven
508-693-4090
www.vineyardmontessori.com
Open September-June, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Serving children preschool through 8th grade
Contact: Debbie Jernegan, Head of School