Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Play-Based Preschool in Farmington, CT
Founded in 1957, The Village Nursery School has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in Farmington, Connecticut. Our mission centers on fostering holistic development through play-based learning, nurturing social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth. With a team of educators holding advanced degrees in early childhood education, we prioritize personalized attention and collaborative partnerships with families. Our curriculum, driven by student interests, balances structured and child-led activities to cultivate curiosity and kindergarten readiness. Recognized for our community-focused approach, we maintain strong ties to local landmarks like the Farmington Library and Town Green.Over six decades, weve built a legacy of preparing children for academic success while preserving the joy of childhood. Our teachers, many with decades of experience, create warm, inclusive environments where every child thrives. As a non-profit institution, we remain committed to accessible, high-quality education regardless of background. Parent testimonials consistently highlight our ability to form meaningful relationships and deliver engaging, well-rounded programs. This enduring dedication to early education excellence continues to shape generations of learners.
Services
Threes Program
Fours Program
Pre-K Program
Play-Based Curriculum
Parent Collaboration
Details
- Year established: 1957
Highlights and features
- We have over 65 years of experience in early childhood education
- Our teachers hold Masters Degrees in Early Childhood Education
- We offer a play-based curriculum fostering holistic development
- Our community-focused programs build lasting relationships
- Located in a vibrant neighborhood with access to outdoor spaces
What people say
Loved the balance of curriculum with play
Well prepared for kindergarten
Fantastic relationships with teachers
Neighborhood itself
Highly recommend
Services
Threes Program
Our Threes Program nurtures 3-year-olds through play-centered activities that develop social skills, creativity, and foundational learning. Small group interactions and teacher-guided exploration build confidence while introducing early literacy and numeracy concepts in a supportive environment.
Fours Program
The Fours Program emphasizes collaborative learning through themed projects and structured play. Children develop problem-solving skills while engaging with literacy, mathematics, and scientific concepts tailored to their growing curiosity and social capabilities.
Pre-K Program
Our Pre-K Program bridges preschool and kindergarten with advanced literacy, math, and science instruction. Child-led investigations and teacher-facilitated activities prepare students for academic transitions while maintaining developmentally appropriate play-based learning methods.
Play-Based Curriculum
Our play-based curriculum prioritizes natural curiosity through hands-on exploration. Children construct knowledge by interacting with materials, peers, and educators in environments designed to stimulate cognitive development while maintaining emotional safety and creative freedom.
Parent Collaboration
We cultivate strong parent partnerships through regular communication and collaborative planning. Families receive detailed progress updates while contributing insights that shape individualized learning approaches, creating cohesive support systems for each child's development.
People
Jean Van Hoof
Director
Director with 12 years at VNS and 20+ years teaching experience. Holds Masters in Early Childhood Education from University of Saint Joseph. Specializes in creating nurturing environments that prioritize individual child development.
Marilee Dabkowski
Pre-K Teacher
Pre-K teacher with 4 years at VNS and 25+ years in early education. Holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child Studies. Focuses on holistic development through literature-rich, experiential learning environments that celebrate childhood wonder.
Jennifer Wagner
Teacher
7-year VNS veteran with Masters in Curriculum and Design from Fordham University. Former NYC special education teacher. Combines structured learning with creative exploration to support diverse learners through individualized, relationship-based instruction.
Brynna Oliver
Teacher
Newly joined VNS with Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. 6 years as swim instructor and classroom volunteer. Brings energetic, exploratory approach to early learning while valuing community connections in education.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We accept children aged 2 years 9 months through 5 years, offering separate programs for Threes, Fours, and Pre-Kindergarten students.
What is your educational philosophy?
Our curriculum follows play-based learning principles where children explore interests through hands-on activities that naturally develop literacy, math, and social skills.
How do you prepare children for kindergarten?
Pre-K programs integrate literacy, mathematics, and scientific concepts through themed projects while maintaining developmentally appropriate practices that build academic and social confidence.
What qualifications do your teachers have?
All lead teachers hold Masters Degrees in Early Childhood Education with combined experience exceeding 50 years in early childhood development and classroom instruction.
How do you involve families?
We maintain open communication through regular updates, parent-teacher conferences, and collaborative planning to ensure consistent support between home and school environments.
Reviews (7)
Laura Jaeger
Oct 17, 2018
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My son is in his second year at the village nursery school and will start kindergarten next year. We have loved our experience here. He loves going to school, which means a lot to me. The teachers are wonderful and the classroom is clean, bright and organized. I find the tuition to be fair compared with other programs nearby. I would highly recommend the village nursery school! :)
Ashley Battista
Dec 30, 2017
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We love the teachers and the warm environment this school provides. This was so important to us when choosing a school for our daughter. The first time I went in for a tour, I instantly feel in love with the school. (And I had looked at other "preschools" in the area and NEVER felt this way!) I felt like my daughter was safe and her well being is being met by the teachers. The teachers are always happy and the job never seems like a job to them. They actually care about the students. And want nothing but the best. Learning through play, building friendships (social skills) and routine class flow
Enviro Mag Enviromag
Jul 03, 2017
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Great school with a great community. My older child attended and my younger child is currently enrolled.
Kristen Conover
Jan 06, 2017
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Both of my children attended VNS and I am very pleased with the programs, teachers and overall experience. Each program is age appropriate, designed with both structured and unstructured activities to foster an environment where my children have developed a strong foundation and a love for learning. Along with academics, the programs also focus on social development, which is equally important during these formative years. The teachers are truly wonderful, giving so much of themselves to ensure a positive experience for all of the students.
Kelly Sardinas
Dec 31, 2016
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The Village Nursery School has helped prepare all three of my children for kindergarten and beyond. The foundation they received at VNS has been invaluable and they continue to love school because of the amazing start they had at this wonderful school. The teachers create a nurturing environment where the children can learn and grow. The time my children spent at VNS helped shaped the students they have become today.
Staci Gerace
Dec 03, 2016
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I can't speak highly enough about our years at the Village Nursery School. The teachers are nurturing, knowledgeable, creative, and constant. The classroom is bright, fun, stimulating, and clean. The teachers, parents, and children, together, create a loving and supportive community that is the Village Nursery School.
Kimberly Haidinger
Oct 01, 2016
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The Village Nursery School has been the perfect fit for my daughter. My husband and I were looking for a "one room classroom" feel - a school that had educated teachers who were about developing and nurturing children. Our daughter attended the 4's class last year and is in the Pre-K class this year. She has developed friendships, while becoming more confident and her knowledge of all things kindergarten is amazing! She is able to identify and write all her letters, she adds and subtracts, loves reading and has been writing letters to friends at school. I know for sure that my daughter has built
