Barnard, VT

Sunshine Daydream is a NAEYC-accredited center known for its progressive, child-centered approach to early education. The center features a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum that emphasizes project-based learning and natural exploration. Their highly qualified teachers (all with early childhood degrees) maintain exceptionally low teacher-to-child ratios. The facility includes dedicated infant rooms with separate sleeping areas, expansive outdoor classrooms with nature-based play spaces, and an organic garden where children participate in growing food. They prioritize outdoor time regardless of weather and incorporate mindfulness practices into daily routines. The center is particularly noted for its strong parent communication system and comprehensive developmental assessments.

This community-based nonprofit center provides high-quality early childhood education with a focus on whole-family support. The center employs a play-based curriculum enhanced with structured literacy and math readiness activities. All lead teachers hold Vermont Early Childhood Credentials or higher degrees, and the center maintains a 1:4 ratio for infants and 1:6 for toddlers. The facility features secure, monitored access, commercial-grade air purification systems, and developmentally appropriate learning environments. They offer sliding-scale tuition and extensive family support services, including parent education workshops and developmental screening. The center is particularly praised for its inclusive environment and strong community partnerships.

This nationally accredited KinderCare center serves families throughout the Upper Valley region with a comprehensive early childhood program. The center implements KinderCare's proprietary curriculum that balances academic readiness with social-emotional development, featuring dedicated learning centers for literacy, math, science, and creative arts. All teachers receive ongoing professional development and many hold advanced degrees in early childhood education. The facility includes secure keypad entry, real-time electronic daily reports for parents, commercial kitchens preparing nutritious meals, and age-appropriate playgrounds with safety surfaces. The center is particularly noted for its robust kindergarten readiness program and flexible scheduling options that accommodate working families from the Barnard area.