Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Reggio Emilia-Inspired Early Childhood Education in Norwich, VT
At Treehouse Childrens School, we are dedicated to redefining early childhood education through our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. With over 50 years of experience serving Upper Valley families, our mission prioritizes excellence in nurturing childrens natural curiosity, creativity, and capacity for wonder. Our team of highly qualified educators, many holding advanced degrees, fosters a strengths-based environment where children aged six weeks to five years are respected as capable protagonists in their learning journey. Nestled in a four-acre natural wonderland adjacent to the Montshire Museum of Science, our facility blends convenience with immersive outdoor exploration. We maintain a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and community partnerships while evolving our practices to meet contemporary educational needs.Our programs integrate socio-constructivist principles, allowing children to investigate the world through play-based, inquiry-driven experiences. We maintain transparent communication with families and offer sliding-scale tuition to ensure accessibility. As a non-profit institution, we reinvest resources into innovative learning materials and community-building initiatives. Our aspiration to become a regional learning lab reflects our dedication to advancing early childhood education practices for both children and educators.
Services
Infants Program
Toddlers Program
Preschool Program
Core Program
Extension Program
Financial Assistance
Community Partnerships
Professional Development
Nature-Based Learning
STEM Integration
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- 50+ years of experience in early childhood education
- Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum emphasizing child-led exploration
- Highly qualified teaching staff with advanced degrees
- Four-acre natural learning environment with trails and outdoor classrooms
- Sliding-scale tuition and financial assistance programs
Services
Infants Program
Our Robins Nest program nurtures infants through responsive caregiving and sensory-rich environments. Certified educators create individualized routines that respect each babies unique developmental pace. The curriculum emphasizes secure attachment, motor development, and early language stimulation through natural materials and gentle exploration.
Toddlers Program
Butterfly Glen supports toddlers emerging independence through structured yet flexible routines. Children develop social skills through peer interactions while exploring nature-based materials. Educators facilitate language development and motor skills through hands-on activities in our forested playground and indoor discovery spaces.
Preschool Program
Fox Den and Songbirds classrooms use Reggio-inspired project work to cultivate preschoolers natural curiosity. Children engage in long-term investigations documenting their learning through multiple 'languages' including art, music, and dramatic play. The curriculum integrates STEM concepts through outdoor exploration and museum partnerships.
Core Program
Our year-round Core Program provides comprehensive education from 8:00 AM-3:15 PM daily. Children participate in mixed-age learning communities with outdoor excursions, gardening projects, and creative arts. The schedule includes family-provided lunch and school-provided snacks within a socio-constructivist framework.
Extension Program
Optional 3:15-5:30 PM extension offers enriched programming for working families. Children engage in open-ended play, literacy activities, and wellness practices. The program maintains continuity with morning learning while providing flexible scheduling options for families requiring extended care.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children from six weeks to five years through three classroom communities: Robins Nest (infants), Butterfly Glen (toddlers), and Fox Den/Songbirds (preschool).
Is your program accredited?
While we maintain high professional standards, we are a Vermont-licensed childcare program rather than a nationally accredited school. Our educators hold state certifications in early childhood education.
What is your educational philosophy?
We follow a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach emphasizing child-led inquiry, natural materials, and emergent curriculum. Children learn through collaborative projects documented in portfolios and classroom displays.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, we provide sliding-scale tuition based on family income and offer scholarships for qualifying families. We also accept state childcare subsidies from Vermont and New Hampshire.
What outdoor learning opportunities exist?
Our four-acre campus features forest trails, boulder climbing areas, and seasonal exploration of vernal pools. Children visit the adjacent Montshire Museum of Science and participate in weekly nature hikes.
