Longmont

Longmont

Preschool in Longmont, Colorado

Welcome to The Nest Schools of Longmont, Colorado!

We know choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make—and we’re here to make it an easy one. At The Nest, we offer nurturing, play-based programs backed by the latest research in early childhood education. Every child in our care is supported by a warm, dedicated team focused on kindness and wellness who take an innovative and fun approach to sparking a lifelong love of learning.

🩷 For your child: A high-quality education and enriching experiences.

🩷  For you: The comfort of knowing they’re safe, happy, and building the foundation for a bright future.

Discover why so many families trust The Nest as a partner in their child’s growth, learning, and happiness. Schedule your tour today—we can’t wait to meet you!

We are proud to be a Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) provider. To learn more and apply, click here.

Nearby Schools & Communities

Neighborhoods: Longmont

Elementary Schools: Fall River, Rocky Mountain, Alpine, Central, Columbine, Mountain View, Burlington, Indian Peaks

We offer before and after-school care to elementary schools in the community.

OPENING LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL 2025

The FUTURE of childcare and preschool is coming to Longmont, Colorado! Our new school is currently under renovation, and we will be opening our doors soon. Contact us to be added to our VIP list (Very Important Parent) and be one of the first to receive updates on school tours, events, and Founding Family perks!

Here are just a few of the differences that set us apart:

✅ Safer and healthier every step of the way – air purifiers in every classroom.

🧠 Curriculum developed using all the latest research on how children learn best – it’s fun, exciting, and inspiring.

🏫 Early childhood professionals who genuinely care about your child’s growth and happiness – we hire only the best!

🌳 Outdoor play spaces unlike anything you have ever seen –they are so FUN even you will want to play!

🥕 Wholesome, delicious meals and snacks included in tuition – no packing lunches needed!

💬 Communication tools to always keep you in the loop – never miss a moment.

Now Open!

Founding Families who start by October 31 will receive:

10% Lifetime Tuition Discount for children under 3

$310/week Lifetime Tuition Rate for preschool children (ages 3-4)

Contact us for full details. May not be combined with other offers.

Take a Look Inside Our School

The Nest Difference

At The Nest, we take every precaution to ensure your child’s health and safety when they spend their day with us. Our schools provide layers of security measures to protect the children in our care.
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Our curriculum and program design incorporate the most current research in early development to best prepare children for their future in and out of the classroom. Each element of our Nest Play curriculum shares one goal: to help children love to learn.
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Communication with our families is a top priority at The Nest Schools. Everything from the face-to-face interactions during pick up and drop off times, individual conference times, school e-newsletter, daily reporting app, and interactive displays outside every classroom allow for parents to be fully involved and in the know on their child’s learning and progress.
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At The Nest Schools, we hire teachers who have a genuine love for young children and share our vision of raising a world of kind, healthy, and inspired kids. All of our teachers are highly-trained youth developers who are dedicated to bringing out what is special and unique about each child.
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At The Nest, we set out to create outdoor environments that entice children to engage with nature. Our playgrounds are rich with plants and natural elements, exciting play themes, and physical challenges. Children can learn to assess risks and test their boundaries within an environment that was created with their safety, health, and skill-building in mind.
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Our Longmont Leadership Team

Jessica Scott - Longmont AD

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Director

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Jessica Scott has been in the Early Childhood Education field since 2013. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Political Science and has earned her Colorado Early Childhood Teacher and Large Center Director certifications. Over the course of her career, Jessica has worked in nearly every role within early childhood education, from teacher’s aide to center director, gaining extensive experience with toddlers and preschoolers. She is certified in CPR, First Aid, Epi-pen Administration, and Medication Administration. Jessica is passionate about creating nurturing, engaging environments where young children feel safe to explore, learn, and grow. She believes early childhood is a critical time for building strong foundations, and she finds joy in helping children develop the confidence and curiosity that will guide them throughout their education. Known for being dedicated, approachable, and supportive, Jessica is happiest when she is working alongside teachers and families to ensure every child thrives. Outside of work, she enjoys going to concerts, attending baseball games, and spending time with her family.

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Assistant Director

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Junie Mendenhall has been a dedicated professional in Early Childhood Education since 1985. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Early Childhood Education and has served in leadership roles, including Director. Junie is also certified in CPR, First Aid, Epi-Pen Administration, and Medication Administration, reflecting her long-standing commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Junie is driven by her deep care for children and strong respect for the educators who support them each day. She values building a positive, team-focused environment where both children and staff feel supported and encouraged. Known for being loyal, dedicated, and strong, Junie takes pride in being a steady, positive influence and finds the greatest fulfillment in working alongside her team to make a meaningful impact on children’s early experiences.
Kari Thibodeau

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Regional Director

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Born and raised in Colorado, Kari Thibodeau brings over 35 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field, where she has served as a teacher, leader, and mentor. Her journey began at Colorado community college, where she earned her director’s license, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to early learning and educational excellence. Kari currently holds a Level 6 credential through Colorado Shines, reflecting her advanced knowledge and commitment to quality in ECE. As a certified trainer, she specializes in supporting school leaders, particularly Directors, by promoting best practices and continuous improvement across early childhood programs. Kari’s passion lies in creating nurturing, developmentally appropriate environments and empowering educators to lead with confidence. Her decades of service and leadership are driven by a deep belief in the importance of early education and its lasting impact on children, families, and communities. When Kari is not supporting schools, you will often find her spending time with her family, crafting, and pursuing one of her greatest loves: photography.

Our Longmont Educational Programs

Hummingbirds

We understand that infants need nurturing, and parents need to feel secure knowing their child is in good hands. Our infant teachers are hand-picked natural caregivers who focus on meeting the individual needs of every child. While your child is in our care, you can rest assured that they will receive the attention and interaction they need and deserve.

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Ducklings

We recognize that your young toddler has the capacity to learn so much in the first few years of their life by simply having opportunities to explore and play amongst peers. Our teachers encourage learning through daily routines and experiences involving health and physical development, social-emotional development, language and literacy development, and so much more.

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Cardinals

Our Cardinal program supports older toddlers and their increased independence, exploration of emotions and feelings, and fast-developing use of language. We also understand and support their continued desire to explore everything about their world. We believe our play-based philosophy and learning center structure gives them the best opportunity to do this.

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Penguins

The early preschool years are nothing short of amazing! Children at this age have an overwhelming eagerness to learn and you will notice that their ability to experiment, explore, and focus on set activities begins to change rapidly. Our Penguin program supports young preschoolers and their need to be challenged, engaged, and encouraged in their learning and personal interests.

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Robins

The older preschool years consist of so much learning and development! Their peer relationships are strengthening, they have a more complex understanding and use of language, and their overall motor skills have developed rapidly. Our Robins program continues to provide for preschoolers and their need to be challenged, engaged, and supported in their learning and personal interests.

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Parrots

Our Pre-K Masters program is thoughtfully designed for children who need a third year of preschool, whether due to a late birthday, developmental readiness, or simply the need for an extra year to grow before starting kindergarten. This Pre-K bridge program provides the perfect balance of academic skill-building and social-emotional development to ensure your child enters elementary school confident, capable, and excited to learn.

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Full-time, Private

GREAT things come from great BEGINNINGS! Our private kindergarten programs will help your child excel in a small classroom environment giving them a successful start to their elementary years. Our comprehensive curriculum will use a mix of requirements from the Department of Education alongside our Nest Play curriculum to prepare children for first grade and beyond.

Pelicans / Before & After School

Our School Age program provides children with opportunities for exploration, creativity, and fun challenges to support them in becoming their best selves. Our program consists of a mix of guided activities planned by the children and teacher-guided activities.

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Summer Fun for Your Child

Summer is one of the things children look forward to the most. School’s out, and children are ready to get back to their much-awaited playtime. But instead of letting your child become glued to TV screens, computers, or mobile devices watching cartoons or playing video games, this may be the perfect time to encourage them to engage in activities that offer the right balance between learning and fun. This is where summer camps come in!

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What Our Families Are Saying

“We are so grateful for The Nest Schools! We have had amazing teachers so far, and our son loves every minute of school! What I love is that even the teachers that our son hasn’t had yet all know him by name, and treat him like he is one of their own students. We would (and do) recommend The Nest to anyone that asks.”

Amanda Lacks

“The things we like best about our child care experience at The Nest Schools are that we’re always greeted each morning with the staff’s friendly smiles and positive attitudes. Both of our children feel welcomed and have developed wonderful relationships. We are also impressed by the level of safety and the daily curriculum.”

Stephanie & Ryan Briggs

“To us, The Nest Schools has meant more than just childcare; they have been our partner in the development and success of our kids! ”

Stephen Starr

Contact Us for More Information or to Schedule Your Tour

Scheduling a tour does not guarantee availability.
The School Director will be able to confirm space in your child’s program during the tour.

Call Us: 720-664-2332