The Acorn School

The Acorn School provides early childhood care and education to children ages six weeks to six years old. Open to children of Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students, the Acorn School is operated by Vanderbilt University’s Child and Family Center and is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Children of the program in a cooking class

Philosophy

Play is essential to children’s health and well-being, and foundational to children’s construction of knowledge. Our programs reflect that research-based understanding. We provide a “Whole Child” (mind, body, spirit) approach to early childhood care and education.

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Hours

  • Our centers are open 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM, weekdays, year-round.

  • Closures are in alignment with the Vanderbilt University holiday calendar unless otherwise noted.

  • View specific hours for the childcare program and kindergarten program.

Locations

Edgehill Center

200 Appleton Place

18th Avenue Center

1105 18th Avenue South

19th Avenue Center

1110 19th Avenue South

Programs

Childcare Program

Daily childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years focused on building knowledge through play, hands-on experiences, peer interactions, and exploring nature.

Explore the Childcare Program

Owls Kindergarten

Our developmental kindergarten provides a collaborative environment building on children’s interests, needs and strengths to develop and spark the individual child’s creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Learn About Owls Kindergarten

Contact Us

For more information about The Acorn School's programs, fill out our contact form.

Submit a Contact Form