Edgewood Early Learning Center

The Edgewood Early Learning Center provides care for children age 6 weeks to 6 years in small groups with teachers who have 48 years of collective experience in our classrooms.

Read about Susan Blaisdell, who just celebrated her 25th anniversary as an inspiring teacher at Edgewood.

A Safe and Nurturing Environment

At Edgewood Early Learning, we believe in providing a safe and nurturing environment which promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of the young children in our care.

Our goal is to make your childcare experience and the time your child spends with us the very best it can be.

Child Care That's All in the Family

Edgewood Early Learning is located at The Edgewood Centre, a family owned skilled nursing facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The children have the benefit of enjoying a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces including a playground, vegetable and flower gardens, courtyards, decks, sun porches, wooded trails and a wildlife pond.

The children interact on a regular basis with the residents who live at Edgewood, playing games together, baking in the kitchen, going on field trips, gardening, and watching entertainers who come to perform.

Opening, Closing and Meals

The Edgewood Early Learning Center is open from 7:00 am until 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Meals are a social time when the children dine family style and enjoy a full hot breakfast and lunch every day as well as two healthy snacks.

A sample menu shows an example of the food Edgewood’s dining staff prepares each day, including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Infant Care for Babies 6 Weeks to 13 Months Old

At our Portsmouth, NH child care center, we know that every moment with an infant is precious. That’s why we coo and cuddle, soothe and sing. We do everything possible to bond with the babies in our care and develop a sense of trust. Through simple games, our loving teachers begin the foundational work for later learning and help infants develop their motor and sensory skills.

Edgewood’s infant room is a place where babies feel safe, secure and happy. 
With only 6 babies in the room, we are able to offer gentle lighting, soft music, personal cribs, a rocking chair for nursing mothers, and clean spaces to eat and play.

As much love as we give in our infant care center, we never forget that you are your child’s most important teacher. We work hard to keep you informed, giving daily reports on what your child learns during their time with us.

Toddler Care for Children Age 13 to 24 months

There is no doubt that toddlers are a bundle of energy and at Edgewood Early Learning Center we welcome that excitement because we know it’s a natural part of growth and learning. Our teachers channel that energy into small group activities that promote the development of motor skills, artistic skills, language skills and early literacy.

Based on our belief that toddlers are naturally curious and motivated to learn, our discovery program is all about creating experiences for sensory-based active learning in spaces that allow children to move, explore, express and relax.

Preschool for Children 2 to 3.5 Years Old

At the Edgewood Early Learning Center in Portsmouth, NH, we see preschoolers as dreamers, discoverers, problem solvers, and inventors.

Curious about the world around them, children at this age take things apart, put them back together again, engage in make believe play and ask lots and lots of questions. In our preschool program, we give children the guidance and tools they need to explore and learn within a comfortable, safe environment.

Our preschool curriculum encourages a child’s natural curiosity and eagerness to try new things while strengthening their self-direction and self-esteem. With fifteen acres at our disposal, there are lots of opportunities for outdoor play, nature based activities, and variety in the school day.

Junior Pre-Kindergarten for Children Age 3.5 to 6 Years

Parents want their children to be ready to succeed in Kindergarten and so do we! The creative thinkers in this classroom grow and learn with our Empowered Child curriculum, designed by early education specialists and stamped with the approval of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Cognitive, social, verbal and physical skills are strengthened through activities that engage children – counting cups for lunch, identifying the first letters of each friend’s name, or cooperating to build a space ship. It’s all tremendous fun and all done with a purpose. The learning is balanced with nutritious food and lots of playtime so that we can help you grow healthy, bright children ready to tackle the school bus and all that comes with it.

The Bottom Line: Cost

The Edgewood Early Learning Center in Portsmouth, NH offers very competitive market rates for infant care, toddler care, preschool and pre-Kindergarten programs. A family discount of 10% is available for families with more than one child enrolled full time.

For staff at The Edgewood Centre, employee tuition rates are discounted by almost 40% off the market rates.

Extras

In addition to competitive rates and a substantial discount for Edgewood employees, Edgewood Early Learning extends a number of benefits hard to find in other child care centers.

Edgewood’s tuition rate includes two full meals prepared by our dining staff (breakfast and lunch) as well as two nutritious snacks.

In addition, the children are able to take advantage of a full arts and creativity program featuring dramatic play, intergenerational activities, gardening, cooking, child light yoga, movement and dance.

Best of all, because of our small size, your child is able to benefit from truly individualized care and lots of attention.

Location

Edgewood Early Learning is located behind The Edgewood Centre at 928 South Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The center is a hidden gem; situated in a residential neighborhood within walking distance to city playgrounds, a small farm, waterfront shops and cafes.

Directions from Route 33, Southern Maine, and points north and south can be found here.

Try Before You Buy

Stop by and see for yourself all that we have to offer at Edgewood Early Learning. Contact Norah by phone (603-766-2371) or email to schedule an appointment or just drop by unannounced and have a look around.

If you like what you see, consider the option of leaving your child with us for an hour or two, absolutely free of charge. Sometimes it helps, with such a big decision, if you can be sure it’s all going to work out just fine.

We are delighted at the prospect of meeting you and showing you firsthand the joy of learning at our center.

Sample Menu

Market Rates

Employee Rates