3 Best Preschools in Providence, RI

We could never say enough good about East Side Nursery School. Their approach to children's social-emotional development is as close to perfect as any will ever be. They show deep understanding of their students' individual needs and consistently treat them all with immense care and compassion. My children adore all three of their teachers. While the warm, caring environment is where ESNS shines in our eyes, the way they teach students is also remarkable. Many schools learn through play on paper, many learn to play in action as well, and do a great job of "tricking" kids into learning. Somehow though, ESNS tricks me, too. I rarely see the academics happening and suddenly my child comes home and knows how to write his name and his brother is telling me which two words rhyme. Their learning through authentic play, wholesome approach to teaching critical social-emotional skills, and opportunity for students to build advocacy and have choice are among the many reasons East Side Nursery Schools has been so fantastic for our family.

East side nursery school has been a wonderful experience for both of my daughters. As parents, we were looking for a safe, nurting environment where our children could learn to be away from us, make friends, and play! We were looking for something different than current public school models that emphasize academics over play. ESNS has exceeded our expectations and both our daughters have loved their time here. Cooking, dancing, singing, painting- the teachers at ESNS work to make sure their curriculum is engaging, interesting and fun with lots of room for child- led curiosity. ESNS is a very special place that we could not recommend enough.

East Side Nursery School is AMAZING! Our daughter loves going to school and is thriving! The space is safe, welcoming, and clean and the teachers are loving, passionate, and professional! We feel fortunate to be a part of this wonderful ESNS community and would highly recommend.

Our family has had a fabulous experience at Child's Play. The teachers are very welcoming, attentive, and experienced. They do an exceptional job at creating a warm classroom environment and getting to know each child personally. We appreciate the play-based curriculum, and the morning structure provides a good balance of freedom within play and also routine. Our child is always excited to go to preschool and we have noticed considerable growth in them during our time here. I have really enjoyed volunteering in the classroom, and see the value in observing first-hand what our child is learning, participating in their experience, and building relationships with the teachers and other children. The community is also very welcoming and there are several events throughout the year to connect with other families. We highly recommend Child's Play and have been very grateful for its impact on our family.

Our child is in her second year at Child’s Play and has been thriving here. She is always so excited to go to school and adores her teachers, classmates, and the curriculum—I’m always happy to hear about the new things she’s learned. Being part of her classroom through our Duty Days is an exciting way to understand her experience at the school. The cooperative structure means that our family has to put in more time than we would at a traditional preschool, but the result is worth it. Being part of the Child's Play community and having insight into how the school runs is very cool.

Child’s Play is the best! The teachers are incredible and have been at Child’s Play for years. There is enough structure to provide consistency and routine while allowing kids to explore their interests through a play-based curriculum. The culture is amazing, in part because families are involved and invested so you really get to know the other kids and their families. I was worried that it would be too much for two parents working full-time but the time commitment has been totally reasonable, and the days you are in the classroom are really fun. As an added bonus, it’s also the most affordable option we found. 10/10, would recommend.