Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Dedham
A Preschool That Feels Like Home
First Steps Toward What’s Possible
At The Gardner School of Dedham, children learn and grow in a warm, carefully designed environment that supports early academic learning, creativity, and social-emotional development. As one of our newest Boston-area locations, we offer a trusted, research-based curriculum and a school culture centered on connection, communication, and care. Conveniently located off I-95 on Washington Street near Dedham Square, our school serves families across Dedham and the surrounding communities.
Caring Community for Young Learners
Our curriculum blends teacher-guided learning with child-led exploration, giving children the structure and freedom they need to build curiosity, confidence, and essential early skills. Through music, art, early language exposure, creative projects, and outdoor play, children experience a well-rounded foundation for school and life. Thoughtfully designed classrooms, expansive indoor and outdoor playscapes, a S.T.E.A.M. Lab, and an enrichment studio create inviting spaces where learning feels joyful, safe, and engaging for every child ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Teachers guide learning through hands-on exploration and purposeful routines that help children build strong academic and social foundations.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean classrooms, and predictable routines help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks are served daily in the Kids’ Café, and a private nursing room offers comfort and convenience for nursing parents
Movement
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Large indoor and outdoor playscapes give children opportunities to climb, run, explore, and develop gross motor skills. Daily movement helps children build confidence, coordination, and joyful energy.
Community
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Dedham families appreciate our real-time communication, caring teachers, and warm school culture. Family events and open communication help create lasting connections that support your child’s growth and make the school feel like a true community.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Eileen Rakhunov
Executive School Director
Eileen Rakhunov
Executive School Director
Eileen loves the warmth and connection that fill The Gardner School of Dedham each morning. The smiles shared between families and educators set a positive tone for the day and reflect the respectful, relationship-driven community she is proud to help lead. Since joining TGS in January 2025, she has focused on building a welcoming space where children, families, and teachers feel supported, valued, and truly seen.
Anxhela Ramanjaku
Assistant Director
Anxhela Ramanjaku
Assistant Director
Each morning, Anxhela loves greeting children and families at The Gardner School of Dedham, seeing their bright smiles and excitement as they walk through the door. Those cheerful moments and friendly exchanges with parents set a warm, joyful tone for the day ahead. She joined The Gardner School in March 2025 and has quickly become known for her kind presence and genuine care for every child.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.