My son, now 10 years old and finishing 4th grade, attended all three years at Avon Nursery School — their 3’s, 4’s, and pre-K programs. The Director, Joan Parks, has become a family friend for life. The staff who work with her have been the teachers there for years. This is a team of educators who truly find preschool care and education to be their calling. This team of teachers gets to know each child very well, and they truly love the kids they teach and care for. The program is a wonderful balance of educational play, hands-on exploration, art appreciation, life appreciation, love of cultures from all over the world. My son still remembers all the steps in the water cycle. He still remembers how they taught him about animals and nature. By the time he was headed for kindergarten, he was beginning to sound out short words. Although there is an academic component, it’s not imposed on the kids, and they’re truly taught at their own pace and interest level. We are still friends with the families who were part of the ANS community when my son was there, and he is still good friends with some of the children from his time at ANS. Truly, you could not dream up a better environment for your child. I can’t say enough about Avon Nursery School and its staff. It’s a very special place.