Child Daycare & PreschoolsMontpelier, VT

Friends Of The North Branch Nature Center

4.8(20 reviews)

About

Friends Of The North Branch Nature Center is a child daycare & preschools daycare located at 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont VT. Find contact info, location details, and similar daycares nearby.

What Parents Say

Parents praise Friends of the North Branch Nature Center as a beautiful natural destination with excellent trails, educational programs, and family-friendly activities. The facility offers outdoor exploration, nature classes, swimming holes, and a small indoor center with interactive exhibits. Staff are knowledgeable and welcoming, making it a worthwhile destination even for those traveling 40+ minutes.

Beautiful trails suitable for all ages and abilitiesriver and swimming accesseducational classes and eventsknowledgeable and kind stafffree admissionclean facilitiescommunity gardenswooded play areasscenic viewspeaceful atmosphereinteractive exhibits and specimen collections
Limited sand beach areas for swimmingwater entry can be difficult in some areassmall indoor facility

Recent Reviews

3 years ago

I recommend this location for families with children and those that love nature. The indoor facility is unique with lots to see and explore. The children loved prancing around the great outdoors and the butterflies were extremely friendly which was a real treat. A great for the entire family.

6 years ago

Went to a foraging class and it was AWESOME!!! We're going to take the mushroom one too and keep looking for other events. It's about 40 mins from us but it was such a great day it's worth the drive! Informative, exciting, fun, kind, funny! Just great staff and a GREAT class!

7 years ago

We were here for the Express purpose of swimming in one of the swimming holes. This is such a beautiful place. Swimming was hard because getting into the water was difficult for me. No sand beach areas. And for the record clothing was optional, found that out accidentally but who cares

Edited a year ago

Beautiful quiet natural atmosphere just north of downtown Montpelier. We came for the eclipse and had a wonderful experience

2 years ago

Beautiful walking trails, almost no incline so it’s good for all ages and abilities. Down by the bridge is a great spot for swimming in summer! The wooded area is fun for kids to play in. Lots of wooden walkways through the bogs make for excellent exploration.

Frequently asked questions

Friends Of The North Branch Nature Center is a child daycare & preschools childcare facility located in Montpelier, Vermont. The facility has a capacity of 11 children.
Friends Of The North Branch Nature Center has a Google rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 20 parent reviews. Read the full reviews on this page to see what parents appreciate about this facility and any areas for improvement.
To enroll your child at Friends Of The North Branch Nature Center, contact the facility directly to inquire about availability, schedule a tour, and learn about their enrollment process. Be prepared to provide your child's age, any special needs or allergies, and your preferred schedule. Many facilities have waitlists, so it's best to inquire early.
You can verify the licensing status of Friends Of The North Branch Nature Center through Vermont's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities in Vermont must meet state standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios.

Details

Daycare Type
Child Daycare & Preschools
Capacity
11 children
Status
OPEN
Coordinates
44.28453, -72.57502

Quality Rating

STARS

Level 4 out of 5

4 Stars

This rating is part of the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Trained evaluators assess staff qualifications, learning environment, curriculum, and family engagement — standards that go beyond basic licensing requirements.

What do the levels mean?

Level 1: Meets basic licensing standards.

Level 2: Exceeds licensing with some quality improvements in place.

Level 3: Demonstrates strong practices in curriculum and staff development.

Level 4: High quality across most assessed areas.

Level 5: Highest quality — excels in all areas of assessment.