The Children’s Museum Preschool is a play-based program that encourages and develops learning through each child’s natural activities. Experts agree that by learning through play, children find education to be a positive and joyous experience. Our focus on this philosophy is the core of our curriculum.

A typical school day includes activities and experiential learning that enhance social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth. Each week, on a rotating basis, our children experience developmentally appropriate planetarium shows and science classes taught by museum educators, as well as animal demonstrations with our Wildlife Sanctuary staff. Children in the preschool often explore the Museum with their teachers as guides.

Our professional educators all have degrees as well as real experience in the education field. By encouraging children to explore, imagine, and create, they, in turn, enhance and develop each child’s critical thinking skills, creativity, and ability to express themselves. We structure our classes and activities to facilitate the growth of important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and respecting the rights of others.

As children progress through our program, they learn the skills that give them a wonderful start in the lifelong journey of learning. We are looking forward to adding your family to our family, here at The Children’s Museum Preschool.

Our curriculum, which is aligned with Connecticut Early Learn and Development Standards, offers:

The Children’s Museum Preschool is one of the oldest early childhood education centers in the country. In partnership with The Children’s Museum, the preschool is unique in its ability to enrich and engage children in scientific exploration.

Children eagerly participate in weekly visits to The Children’s Museum for:

Preschool Program Options

The Children’s Museum Preschool now participates in Care4Kids.

The Children’s Museum Preschool 2024-25 Tuition

Part-time Preschool 8:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Monday through Friday
$270 per week

• Tuition is paid for the upcoming week, payment is due each Monday, and Monthly payments are due 1^st Monday of the Month.
• Part-time tuition is based on a 5-day-a-week program, not discounted for fewer days. We do not piggyback students but save that classroom placement for your child.
• Part-time preschool is Full Year.
• We do not follow West Hartford Public School’s Calendar. School is closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the day after, Christmas Day and the day after, two development days and one med. training day.

Full-time Preschool 8 am – 5 pm

Monday through Friday
$330 per week    

• Tuition is paid for the upcoming week, payment is due each Monday, and Monthly payments are due 1^st Monday of the Month.
• Full-time tuition is based on a 5-day-a-week program, not discounted for fewer days or hours. We do not piggyback students but save that classroom placement for your child.
• Full-time preschool is Full Year.
• We do not follow West Hartford Public School’s Calendar. School is closed on New Year’s Day, the first day of Passover, Easter Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Thanksgiving Day, and the day after, Christmas Day, and the day after, two development days and one med. training day.

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Care4Kids Subsidy Program

The Children’s Museum Preschool participates in the Connecticut Care4Kids Program. Parents are responsible for the difference between Care4Kids and the weekly tuition rate.

Please do not send payment before touring the facility. Payments should only be made after coordination with the Preschool Director is complete.