Growing Together Since 1968
A play-based preschool rooted in community.
Play Is How Children Learn
We believe that play and exploration are the heart of early learning. Our program supports children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity.
Whether building with blocks, painting, shaping clay, acting out stories, exploring nature, or experimenting with sand and water, children learn by doing. Our teachers emphasize the process rather than the finished product, encouraging children to experiment, solve problems, express themselves, and discover the world at their own pace.
Learning Through Enrichment
Our days are filled with opportunities to discover something new. Music and movement, hands-on art and cooking, building activities, puzzles, and sensory play help children develop a wide range of skills. Visits from community professionals, field trips, and cultural celebrations introduce children to new people, places, and perspectives.
Outdoor play is also an important part of the experience, giving children room to move, explore, and learn through active play.
A Community For Families, Too
At Hastings Nursery School, parents are more than observers; they are part of the Co-op. Each family contributes by serving on a school committee and participating in a maintenance workshop, with opportunities for additional involvement through the parent board.
Ongoing communication between parents and teachers helps families stay connected to their children's experiences and development. Classroom celebrations, and field trips offer opportunities to share in the learning journey. Social gatherings and school traditions help parents build friendships and create lasting connections.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Hastings Nursery School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational or admissions policies, scholarship or loan opportunities, or other school-administered programs.