Nourishing the joy and wonder of childhood
Our Program
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The Maple Hill Play Garden is an inclusive, licensed family child care program
that nurtures the joy and wonder of a simple childhood.
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We strive to hold grounded, nourishing space for all children.
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We also strive to hold space in which children of the global majority
and female/nonbinary children
are able to step fully, uninterrupted into their work of play;
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and in which children of dominant groups
begin learning the subtle art of learning to make space for others.
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We spend the majority of our mornings outdoors in almost any weather.
In this space, play is the child's most valued work.
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To get a sense of our days together,
please check out our .
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We are located in Amherst, MA
and serve children ages 13 months* through 2.9 years.
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In our current location, enrollment is capped
at eight children/day.
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We provide healthy morning snacks and hearty, homemade organic hot lunches
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The program runs Monday-Friday,
full days (8:30-3:30)
or half days (8:30-12:15).
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The Maple Hill Play Garden operates on a school year schedule.
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Families may select three, four, or all five days.
Preference will be given to families who reflect the diversity of our global world
and to full-day, full-time families.
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*Children must be down to one afternoon nap/day
by the beginning of the school year
(the children here go down for nap around 12:45/1:00)
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The Maple Hill Play Garden generally accepts children
who are 13 months old - 2.9 years old
as of September of the current school year.
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Example: a child enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year
must be aged at least 13 months, and 2.9 years or younger,
as of September 1, 2025.
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