In helping set up kids to be successful, lifelong learners, the importance of providing joyful early educational experiences has been clearly established.

And if outward expressions of excitement is any indication of succeeding on that front, Brown Play School in Rumford has certainly figured out an effective way for doing so.

It’s no wonder, then, that the preschool is celebrating its 75th year of operation — a third of which have taken place from within the same unassuming building located at 4 Newman Ave., where the school moved in February of 2000 from its original location on the East Side of Providence, where it originally operated as a cooperative nursery school.

And while some things have changed since 1950 — the school is now a “partnership school”, where parents and teachers alike each take on certain roles in the child’s educational development — the original guiding principles have stayed the same, and are alive and well in 2025.

“I feel as though a key component in the success of the school has been that their mission has never changed,” said Claudine Taylor, a Rumford resident and Director of Brown Play School for the past 22 years. “While I can’t attest to the first 50 years, I see how the goals of the school were passed along to those who were running it; board members and directors. Children are valued, and whatever can be done in their best interest is taken seriously.”

Kid-centered
Brown Play School adheres to the Reggio Emilia approach to early education, which emphasizes a child-centric, emergent curriculum built on collaboration, exploration, and documentation.

Last Thursday, during a visit to the school in the midst of their morning “center time”, this approach was on full display. Kids could be seen happily participating in a vast number of activities. Some painted, others played together with blocks or pretended to cook eggs in a faux kitchenette, and some played a collaborative game as a group. Often times they switched back and forth from activities, collaborating with different classmates.

This is key to the school’s approach — it doesn’t matter so much what they’re doing at this age, just that they are the ones deciding on what to do.

“Children are viewed as capable learners. Not empty vessels to be filled with knowledge,” Taylor explained of the approach. “The child’s ideas are valued, they are given many opportunities to explore and make their own discoveries.”

And while the school is not large — suited for 18 students per class and guided by the school director, a head teacher, and an art teacher each day (with periodic visits from a woodworking teacher, a music teacher, and a yoga teacher) — it packs a lot of different activities for kids to do in that space, such as an art studio, a library, a housekeeping space, and a fenced-in outdoor area behind the school; each of which has its own unique educational benefits.

“Each day, children can freely choose between different centers throughout the school,” said Megan Heinze, who started as the school’s art teacher in 2015. “These centers are all designed to inspire and challenge our students’ growing minds. These centers are stocked with real materials and supplies that students are taught to use when they show they are invested and motivated to learn more about them. Their curiosity drives their learning and mastery.”

Greta Skinner, now in her third year as Head Teacher, said that this approach encourages teachers to find out what methods best work for students on an always-evolving, individualized basis.

“Every Friday the teachers have a set time where we meet as a team to discuss what our students are talking about, interested in, and exploring on their own,” she said. “We take pride and find joy in regularly swapping out classroom materials to suit the children’s ever-changing interests in the classroom. We want to push their curiosities and love the practice of doing so as a team in each area of the classroom.”

Also noteworthy, particularly in 2025, is that there is a prohibition on screen time.

“The teachers have iPads for documentation purposes, but the children continue to be given opportunities throughout their day for social interactions and learning experiences,” Taylor said.

Parent partners
Parents also play an important role in the school’s philosophy, and are welcomed into the educational process as partners. They are encouraged to stay with their child for a short while after drop-off to help acclimate their child to the school day.

“Some leave within a few minutes and others stay for a little while, maybe read a story in the reading area, play with one of the sensory materials or see what’s happening in the art studio,” Taylor said. “By 9:00 a.m., all family members leave so that we can get started with our day. Often times, we have younger siblings that accompany their parents and they become so comfortable that when it’s their turn to attend, they are more ready than ever.”

Communication with families about what their child did on any particular day, and sharing photos of activities and messages throughout the school day, is also an important part of the school’s philosophy. And the day is relatively short, ending either around noon or lasting up to 2:00 p.m. if a parent opts for the “lunch bunch” extended program.

“While I am a firm believer in our program, I also believe that no school is a one-size-fits-all,” Taylor said. “Being a partnership school, we need to have families willing and able to work together as well as understand our method of teaching. While we feel that a shorter day is most beneficial for this age group, we also understand that it may not work for everyone. It’s most important for families to feel comfortable and believe in whatever program they choose for their child.”

Each family is also asked to commit to helping out on a fundraising committee, which takes on an especially prominent role this year as the school is planning its first ever Brown Play School Carnival from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the school on Sunday, May 4. There will be carnival games, an inflatable obstacle course, and a food truck to enjoy.

Proof is in the passing of time
Taylor started her career in early childhood education running a licensed family childcare program out of her home — only to make a bold career jump when she had a positive experience enrolling her own child at Brown Play School. She was soon asked to become a board member and, just one year later, became co-director of the school, and then the full-time director ever since.

Now 22 years later, the efficacy of the school’s program becomes more and more apparent to her as she continues to see people she taught and looked over go out into the world to accomplish their dreams.

“I am amazed at how fast the years went by,” Taylor said. “My hope is that I have helped my students (past and present) to create a memorable preschool experience…I also hope they know how special they are and to never let their spark and curiosity fade away. I am honored to have worked at such a special place for all of these years and hope to be able to see Brown Play School continue to celebrate great milestones in the years to come.”