The Maple Hill Play Garden

02/06/2026

If you’re looking for toddler care in the Amherst area for the 2026-2027 school year, check us out! Application deadline is Friday, February 20th (if there are any remaining spots, we will accept applications on a rolling basis afterwards.

The Maple Hill Play Garden offers a small, inclusive early childhood program for children ages 13 months to 3 years. We provide a warm, nurturing environment - with a focus on abundant time outdoors - in which play is the heart of the child’s morning. Teachers work to hold space for children whom our society currently, historically, and systematically oppress. The program cultivates a gentle and consistent daily rhythm that helps to ground children in themselves and a sense of place. Hot, nourishing, organic meals and snacks are provided; along with outdoor gear (full-body rain and snow suits, waterproof snow/rain mittens, etc.), diapers, wipes, and nap gear.

For more information, please check out our website:

The Maple Hill Play Garden is an alternative, equity-focused, nature- and play-based family childcare program for children ages 15 months - 3 1/2 years.

09/12/2025

Neighbor Wendy let us pick some of her flowers for our lunch table today. 💕

06/09/2025

Looking forward to another beautiful year together!

06/06/2025

We unexpectedly have a few spots available for the upcoming (2025-2026) school year! We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Come check us out!

The Maple Hill Play Garden - a nature- and play-based licensed family childcare program for toddlers - strives to hold community and connection for our families and beyond.

Through the fostering of empathy, emphasis on inter-connectedness, and relationship with the natural world, we work to hold space for young children to grow into a sense of self firmly rooted in place and in kinship with the land we occupy.

Located in Amherst, Maple Hill maintains a focus on equity and inclusion while working to counter systemic inequities. Priority will be given to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families who reflect the diversity of the global world.

We are also now able to accept vouchers for some of our spaces.

The Maple Hill Play Garden is an alternative, equity-focused, nature- and play-based family childcare program for children ages 15 months - 3 1/2 years.

06/05/2025

Building bridges

05/20/2025

Treasures ❤️

05/20/2025

Little elves and fairy folk in the woods 💕

05/14/2025

A little gift of love

04/30/2025

We are loving these beautiful spring days 💕