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 Nashville
A Trusted Early Learning Community in Nashville
Designed for Connection and Growth
At The Gardner School of Nashville, children learn and grow in a warm, thoughtfully designed environment led by highly qualified, degreed teachers who understand early childhood development. As a NAEYC-accredited preschool serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, we provide a research-based curriculum, nurturing relationships, and a school culture centered on connection, confidence, and care. Established in 2005, our Nashville location has been a trusted partner for families across the city for two decades. Conveniently located in the heart of Donelson just off Elm Hill Pike, our school offers easy access for parents who live or work in the area.
Caring Approach to Early Childhood Education
Inside our bright, welcoming classrooms, children explore early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning through hands-on activities and purposeful play. Teachers regularly assess each child’s growth to support strong development at every stage, while calm routines and warm relationships help children feel safe, known, and encouraged each day. With two private outdoor playgrounds, a Kids’ Café, a private nursing room, and an inviting indoor environment, families experience a preschool that’s deeply committed to the early years.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, creativity, and social-emotional development. Highly qualified, degreed teachers guide learning through purposeful play, hands-on exploration, and routines that build confidence and a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean classrooms, and consistent daily routines help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks are served in the Kids’ Café, and specialized communication supports, such as infant sign vocabulary, help strengthen understanding and connection in the earliest years.
Environment and Design
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Bright, well-organized classrooms and thoughtfully arranged learning spaces create a calm, inviting atmosphere where children can explore and grow with confidence. Two private outdoor playgrounds offer room for movement, discovery, and joyful play.
Community
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Families appreciate our long-term staff, real-time communication, and warm school culture rooted in partnership and trust. Daily check-ins and ongoing updates help parents feel connected to their child’s experiences and supported through every stage of early learning.
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
Ashlee Johnston
Executive School Director
Ashlee Johnston
Executive School Director
Ashlee joined The Gardner School of Nashville in August 2019 and has since become a trusted and encouraging leader known for her warmth, positivity, and genuine care for children, families, and staff. Each morning, she loves being greeted by cheerful smiles and hearing stories from children excited to start their day. Those quick conversations and happy hellos remind her why these daily connections matter most.
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.