Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School

Cedar Lane Nursery School (also called Cedar Lane Cooperative Nursery School, or CLNS) is a parent-run preschool on the Bethesda/Kensington border in suburban Maryland, at 9601 Cedar Lane, 20814. It is housed in the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church beside Rock Creek Park, though the school is not affiliated with the church. The program is play-based and screen-free, with a wooded outdoor setting and an open-ended playground that supports child-led, hands-on learning. As a cooperative, families participate directly in the classroom, and the school notes that its three teachers average more than 15 years at Cedar Lane. Classes are grouped by age, and children must reach the relevant birthday by September 1st to enroll. The 2s class meets Tuesday and Thursday (9:30 to 12:00) with up to 8 children at a 1:4 adult-to-child ratio. The 2/3s class meets Wednesday and Friday with up to 8 children, also 1:4. The 3s class meets Tuesday through Friday with up to 12 children (1:4, sometimes 1:6 by spring), and the 4/5s class meets Monday through Friday with up to 18 children (1:6, sometimes 1:9 by spring). A Monday Bonus Day can be added for the 2s, 2/3s, and 3s classes when enrollment supports it. For the 2026-2027 year, monthly tuition runs from $325 (2s) to $340 (2/3s), $545 (3s), and $630 (4/5s), with an optional Pre-K Enrichment add-on at $365 per month for the 4/5s class. Annual fees include a $75 equipment fee plus $120 to $150 for field trips and music. Optional afternoon programs for children ages 3 and up include Lunch Bunch (12:15 to 12:45, $10/day) and Extended Day (12:45 to 2:30, up to $100/month per day). The school offers a limited number of partial, need-based scholarships, with applications requiring tax returns and recent pay stubs. CLNS also runs Summer Fun Camp, open to children ages 2 to 6 whether or not they attend the school during the year. The camp runs five days a week (9a to 2p, with a 1p early option for naps) across five themed two-week sessions covering cooking, science, global cultures, performing arts, art, and more. The school is certified by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and Maryland EXCELS. Admissions tours begin in October, with an early-bird application deadline of January 15; inquiries go to admissions@clns.org.

Fernwood Montessori School has operated in Bethesda, Maryland since 1981, and it is accredited by the American Montessori Society. The school serves children ages 2 through 6 years and offers both full-day and part-time schedules. Programming is divided into two groups. The Toddler Program covers ages 24 to 36 months, runs with a 6 to 1 child-to-teacher ratio, and centers on practical life skills, self-care, and grace and courtesy. Toileting independence is not required to enroll at the toddler level. The Primary Program covers ages 3 to 6 in mixed-age classrooms, with half-day options available for 3 and 4 year olds. Toileting independence is required in the Primary Program, and physical education is part of the weekly curriculum. Instruction follows the Montessori method, and the school publishes a Metro Montessori scope and sequence document outlining what children work through across the years. Primary students follow an individualized education plan, and classrooms use the prepared-environment approach typical of Montessori settings, where children move through hands-on materials at their own pace. The school describes its days around independent discovery and self-directed work with concrete learning materials. Admissions run in four steps: a required in-person tour booked through an inquiry form, an online application with a non-refundable application fee (credit card only), acceptance and enrollment paperwork, and submission of state-required forms before the first day. Enrollment is finalized through the school's online portal and includes a $500 new student fee and a $1,200 tuition deposit, with tuition payments handled through a FACTS account. A reserved spot is not held until the enrollment contract is signed and the new student fee is paid, and families are asked to complete enrollment within 7 days. On affordability, Fernwood offers need-based tuition assistance reviewed confidentially through FACTS Financial Aid Management. The school participates in Maryland EXCELS and accepts Maryland Child Care Scholarships (CCS) for eligible working families. It is also a licensed provider with ChildCare Aware of America, so eligible military families can apply for fee assistance. Current tuition rates and the school calendar are published as downloadable PDFs for the 2026 to 2027 school year.

Lily Pads Early Learning Center is a daycare and preschool at 5230 Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda, Maryland, caring for children from 2 months to 5 years old. The program keeps groups small and ratios low, and the classrooms are organized by age into named groups. The infant and toddler rooms (the Yellow Pollywogs, Blue Tadpoles, and Orange Butterflies) cap class size at 6 children with at least two teachers plus extra floating staff. The Green Frogs group, for children 18 months and up, runs with nine children and three teachers and works on getting ready for preschool. The Purple Owls preschool class for 3 to 5 year olds holds a maximum of 17 children with at least two teachers and focuses on independence and kindergarten readiness. The center uses the Creative Curriculum, which Maryland recommends to its programs, and adapts it to each child's interests and needs. The staff describe their main focus as play, with teachers there to facilitate problem-solving and support cognitive growth, and they emphasize consistent caregivers who build trust with each child. The school positions itself as a middle ground between a large center and a private nanny, offering the structure and socialization of a center with closer personal attention. Scheduling is flexible. Families can enroll part-time by the full day and pick which days of the week their child attends. Weekly enrichment activities have included soccer, music and motion, and yoga. The staff use a parent app to share photos and updates throughout the day, and the center lists experienced providers along with references and reviews as part of what it offers families. The center is currently enrolling and accepting both waitlist and registration applications, and it advertises no registration fee. The known special-needs focus for this listing is language-based learning disabilities; families with specific needs should confirm directly with the center what support it can provide. Waitlist sign-up runs through an online ProCare form, and the center asks prospective families to email Lilypadselc@gmail.com for more information.