The Gardner School of Nashville
Nationally Accredited Through NAEYC With Curriculum-Based Learning
All our lead teachers in preschool classrooms have four-year degrees in early childhood education, elementary education, or a closely-related field. Our teachers place a high priority on routinely assessing students’ growth and development to provide the best forms of care. We are proud to have achieved the honor of national accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAEYC).
On-Site Enrichment Courses
The Gardner School of Nashville encourages learning and development through our variety of enrichment programs your child can participate in. With courses like Amazing Athletes, Gymnastics, Spanish, Advanced Computer, Karate, Music, and more, we offer children a solid foundation through a multitude of extracurricular opportunities in our preschool.
The Gardner School of Nashville is significantly more than a traditional preschool or child care facility. Established in 2005, this Nashville preschool is proud to offer our award-winning child care to the children and families of Music City. As a private, academically focused preschool that specializes in early childhood education, we cater to those families who want the best for their child. Our school is conveniently-located in the Century City Business Park off of Elm Hill Pike and directly across from South College. At our Nashville preschool, we offer year-round educational programs for full- and part-time child care for children six weeks old through 5 years. In addition, we provide a full suite of enrichment classes and our summer camp, Camp Gardner.
School Features
- Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum
- Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
- Safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
- Inviting classrooms with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
- Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
- On-site supplemental enrichment classes (sports, music and arts, computers, foreign language) in our enrichment studio
- Open-door policy for daily check-ins
- Two private outdoor playgrounds
- Sign language vocabulary communication for infants
- Long-term staff
- NAEYC-Accredited
Academically-focused Programs
Camp Gardner
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Enrichment Classes
Advanced Computer
Amazing Athletes
BeSmart Computers
Dance
Gymnastics
Music
Soccer
Nashville Campus Leadership
Vernise Wilson
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since September 2008
Roles Served with TGS:
Teacher Floater, Assistant Teacher, Trainer, Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Director, Executive School Director
What is your educational background?
Majored in Education at Murray State University in Murray, KY.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have always believed that educators have one of the most important jobs that exist, because they are preparing children for the world of learning. The greatest thing I can do is help someone’s life by teaching them how to learn effectively and enjoy it!
What makes you laugh about kids?
Just sitting and having a conversation with the kids about their day or what they did over the weekend always provides me with some good laughs.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
There are a couple of parts of the day that I really enjoy!!! Morning arrival time is that part of the day that you get to see the kids really excited about coming to school and what they are going to experience when they walk through the door. Center Time it is always enlightening to listen to them play and learn from each other. Then there is the end of the day when they have that same excited look when they are sharing the day’s events with their parents.
What do you love most about TGS?
The close relationships we have with each child under our care and their families. We see each child as a unique individual with a great capacity to learn. We have an environment where children and families from different cultural backgrounds feel welcomed and accepted.
What inspires you?
That we are providing children a rich environment where they feel safe to explore, initiate learning, and feel free to express themselves.
What does the term ‘Where Learning Begins’ mean to you?
The building blocks of learning are developed in the early stages of life and education is a lifelong process. We are setting a strong learning foundation for our kids here.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is very important! Preparation from early childhood education will follow these kids for years to come. When they are older students, they will still be incorporating these skills with their learning process.
Ashlee Johnston
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I’ve worked at TGS since 2009.
Roles Served with TGS:
I’ve been a floater, a 3-year-old Teacher, a Pre-K Teacher, and an Enrichment Coordinator.
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Murray State University.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I babysat in high school and worked at summer camps during college. I have always loved working with kids and seeing them grow!
What makes you laugh about kids?
Kids always make me laugh! I love hearing about the most mundane things from them. They always have a story to tell, even if it’s just about what they ate for dinner the night before!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love seeing all the different age groups and watching them grow from class to class. It’s amazing to see how much they can grow and learn in such a short time!
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day is the mornings when kids are arriving at school. It’s so fun to tell them good morning and have them run around the desk to get a good morning hug!
What do you love most about TGS?
The best part about TGS is the people I work with and the families we get to know throughout the years. We truly have the best families and staff here at TGS!
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
One of my favorite TGS memories happened in pre-K. It was time to wake up from nap, and I told a kid, “Wake up, dude!” He sat up on his cot and responded, “I’m not a dude! I’m a MAN!”
What inspires you?
The kids I have the pleasure of getting to know inspire me every day. They work so hard academically, developmentally, and socially and have so much fun in the process.
What is your passion or passions?
My husband and I are beekeepers! I love teaching the kids about how awesome bees are so that they won’t be as scared of them.
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
Our school is where every step of learning begins, not just academically but emotionally, physically, developmentally, and socially as well! We are the foundation for all of those things and strive to instill a love of learning that continues throughout their academic career.
How important is early childhood education?
As the foundation for learning, early childhood education is extremely important.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
Although it’s hard, just know that your child is in the right hands! We will send you lots of updates and photos on Brightwheel so you can feel as though you are right there with your little one on their first day.
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