Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Early Childhood Education in Harvard, MA
At Village Nursery School, we believe children learn through play. Founded in 1953, we are the oldest continually operating preschool in Harvard, providing a developmentally appropriate, child-centered approach for toddlers and preschoolers. Our non-profit program honors the uniqueness of each child while fostering intellectual, creative, physical, social, and emotional growth. With small class sizes led by highly qualified teachersmany with over a decade of servicewe create nurturing environments where children explore, discover, create, and imagine.Our outdoor spaces include a playground, Nature Nook, and access to the Harvard Conservation Trail System, supporting holistic learning. Parents play an active role in their childs education, and our flexible programs accommodate diverse schedules. Accredited by our commitment to inclusivity, we serve families from Harvard and surrounding towns without discrimination. Our mission is to ensure every childs first school experience is joyful and enriching, instilling a lifelong love of learning.
Services
Two Year Old Program
Threes Program
Pre-K Program
Extended Day Care
Outdoor Learning
Parent Involvement
Nature Exploration
Kindergarten Readiness
Flexible Scheduling
Inclusive Education
Details
- Year established: 1953
Highlights and features
- We offer a child-centered approach honoring each student's unique learning style.
- Our teachers average 5-15+ years of experience in early childhood education.
- We provide outdoor learning spaces including a playground and nature trails.
- Our programs prioritize kindergarten readiness through play-based curriculum.
- We maintain inclusive policies serving families regardless of background or status.
What people say
Teachers care about each child
Passionate about early education
Children learned valuable skills
Joyful learning environment
Excellent first school experience
Services
Two Year Old Program
Designed for children aged 21 months to 2 years, this program provides high-quality early education through age-appropriate activities. Focused on sensory exploration and foundational skills, it prepares toddlers for preschool while maintaining developmentally appropriate practices. Classes meet Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs from 9am-12pm.
Threes Program
Introduces three-year-olds to classroom settings with emphasis on social skills and group participation. Features sensory activities, fine motor development, and early math/science concepts. Offers flexible scheduling options with tuition-based enrollment for children turning 2.9 by September 1st.
Pre-K Program
Builds on preschool skills with focus on kindergarten readiness while maintaining play-based learning. Includes structured curriculum for academic and social development. Offers two scheduling options with extended day availability for working families.
Outdoor Learning
Features playground access, Nature Nook exploration, and Harvard Conservation Trail System integration. Supports experiential learning through outdoor activities that develop physical skills and environmental awareness in a safe, supervised setting.
Extended Day Care
Provides supervised care from 12:55 PM to 3:00 PM with engaging activities for working families. Available Monday-Friday with flexible add-on options for enrolled students seeking extended programming beyond standard class hours.
People
Maureen Bajko
Director
With decades of early childhood education experience, Maureen leads our team in implementing developmentally appropriate practices that honor each child's unique learning journey while maintaining our founding mission.
Emilie Staiger
Assistant Director and Pre-K Teacher
Emilie combines classroom teaching with administrative leadership, bringing specialized expertise in kindergarten readiness curriculum and child-centered instructional methods to our educational programs.
Katie Ward
Extended Day Coordinator
Katie oversees our aftercare programming, designing engaging activities that maintain educational continuity while providing flexible support for working families' scheduling needs.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 21 months through Pre-K, with programs specifically designed for Two Year Olds, Threes, Young Fours, and Pre-K students.
Are your teachers qualified?
Our small classes are led by highly qualified teachers with 5-15+ years of experience in early childhood education.
What is your educational philosophy?
We believe children learn through play, providing age-appropriate opportunities for exploration, discovery, creativity, and imagination in a nurturing environment.
Do you offer extended care?
Yes, we offer Extended Day Care from 12:55 PM to 3:00 PM Monday-Friday for $32/day.
Is parent involvement required?
We encourage but do not require parent involvement, recognizing families as important partners in their child's education.
