Nashville, Tennessee · Davidson County
Pre-K & Early Learning in Nashville
Compare every K–12 & childcare option in Metro Nashville
| Route | Sites | Who runs it, and who oversees it |
|---|---|---|
| MNPS Pre-K | 80 | Metro Nashville Public Schools. Apply through the district; the window opens in spring. Overseen by the Department of Education. |
| Private Pre-K | 59 | Independent and faith-based programs. Apply to each directly; tuition varies. Most are overseen by the Department of Education. |
| Community Pre-K | 23 | Non-profit and community organisations, including Head Start partners. |
| Licensed child care | 192 | Centres, group homes, family homes and drop-in providers licensed by the Department of Human Services, which also serve 3- and 4-year-olds. These are the programs carrying a QRIS score. |
| Other | 3 | One charter-run Pre-K and two state special schools. |
Source: Tennessee Department of Human Services licensed-provider records and Tennessee Department of Education Pre-K records, as published in this guide's childcare directory. Oversight by the Department of Education does not mean a program is a public school — private, faith-based and community programs appear there too.
A missing quality score is not a bad one. QRIS is Tennessee's Quality Rating and Improvement System, and it rates child care licensed by the Department of Human Services — 160 of the 192 licensed providers here carry a current score out of 100. It does not apply to Pre-K run by the school district, or to most private and community Pre-K, because a different agency oversees them. So a blank score tells you which agency is responsible, not whether the program is any good.
The childcare subsidy. 152 of those licensed providers are recorded as accepting Tennessee's childcare subsidy (CCAP), which helps eligible families pay for care. You apply for CCAP through the Department of Human Services, not through the provider.
All 80 Metro Nashville Public Schools Pre-K locations, alphabetically. Compared, not ranked. Hours and transport are shown because they decide whether a seat is usable for a working family — most MNPS Pre-K days end in the early afternoon.
| Program | Neighborhood | Ages | Hours | Bus listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.Z. Kelley Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Alex Green Elementary Pre-K | Whites Creek | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Amqui Elementary Pre-K | Madison | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Pre-K | Old Hickory | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Bellshire Elementary Pre-K | North Nashville / Bordeaux | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Cambridge Early Learning Center | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Not listed |
| Cane Ridge Elementary Pre Kindergarten | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Carter Lawrence Elementary Pre-K | Midtown | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Not listed |
| Casa Azafran Early Learning Center | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Chadwell Elementary Pre-K | Madison | 4 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Charlotte Park Elem Pre-K | The Nations / Sylvan Park | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Cockrill Elementary Pre-K | The Nations / Sylvan Park | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Cole Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Dan Mills Elementary Pre-K | Inglewood | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Dodson Elementary Pre-K | Hermitage | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Donelson Christian Academy Preschool | Donelson | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Not listed |
| Donelson Christian Academy Wildcat Camp | Donelson | 1 to 11 | 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Yes |
| Dupont Elementary Pre-K | Old Hickory | 4 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Eagle View Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Fall Hamilton Elementary Pre-K | Midtown | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Gateway Elementary Pre-K | Madison | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Glencliff Elementary Pre-K | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Glendale Elementary Pre-K | Berry Hill / 12South | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Glengarry Elementary Pre-K | Donelson / Briley | 4 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Glenview Elementary Pre-K | Donelson / Briley | 3 to 5 | 8:15 AM – 2:15 PM | Yes |
| Goodlettsville Ele. Pre-K | Goodlettsville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Gower Elementary Pre-K | The Nations / Sylvan Park | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Harpeth Valley Ele. Pre-K | Bellevue | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Harris Hillman Pre-K | Hillsboro-West End | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Yes |
| Hattie Cotton Stem Elementary Pre-K | East Nashville | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Haywood Elementary Pre-K | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Henry Maxwell Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Hermitage Elementary Pre-K | Hermitage | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Hickman Elementary Pre-K | Donelson | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:15 PM | Yes |
| Hull-Jackson Montessori | Germantown / North | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM | Not listed |
| IVANETTA H. DAVIS Early Learning Center | Bordeaux | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:15 PM | Yes |
| Ida B. Wells Elementary Pre-K | North Nashville / Bordeaux | 4 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Inglewood Elementary Pre-K | Inglewood | 4 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| J.E. Moss Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Joelton Elementary Pre-K | Joelton | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| John B. Whitsitt Elementary Pre-K | Woodbine | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Jones Paideia Elementary Pre-K | Germantown / North | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Lakeview Elementary Pre-K | Donelson / Briley | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| MNPS Extended Learning Ivanetta H. | Bordeaux | 3 to 5 | 2:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs @ Inglewood Elementary | Inglewood | 3 to 5 | 2:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs @ UNA Elementary | Donelson / Briley | 3 to 5 | 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs at Gateway | Madison | 3 to 5 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs at Jones Paideia | Germantown / North | 3 to 5 | 6:30 AM – 7:45 AM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs at Oliver Middle | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Yes |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs at Paragon Mills | Berry Hill / 12South | 3 to 5 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning Programs@ Whitsitt Elementary | Woodbine | 3 to 5 | 6:45 AM – 7:45 AM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning at Cambridge | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning at Casa Azafran | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Not listed |
| MNPS Extended Learning at Ross Early | East Nashville | 3 to 5 | 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Not listed |
| Mcgavock Elementary Pre-K | Donelson | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Moves & Grooves @Thurgood Marshall | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Yes |
| Mt. View Elementary Pre- K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Napier Elementary Pre-K | Woodbine | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Neely's Bend Elementary Pre-K | Madison | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Norman Binkley Elem. Pre-K | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Old Center Elementary Pre-K | Goodlettsville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Paragon Mills Elementary Pre-K | Donelson / Briley | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Park Avenue Elementary Pre-K | The Nations / Sylvan Park | 4 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Pennington Elementary Pre-K | Donelson | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Percy Priest Elementary Pre-K | Green Hills / Forest Hills | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Robert Churchwell Elem. Pre-K | Germantown / North | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Rosebank Elementary Pre-K | East Nashville | 4 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Not listed |
| Ross Early Learning Center | East Nashville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Ruby Major Elementary Pre-K | Hermitage | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:15 PM | Yes |
| Shayne Elementary Pre-K | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Shwab Elementary Pre-K | North Nashville / Bordeaux | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Smith Springs Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Stanford Montessori | Donelson | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Not listed |
| Taylor Stratton Elementary Pre-K | Madison | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Thomas Edison Elementary Pre-K | Antioch | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Tom Joy Elementary Pre-K | North Nashville / Bordeaux | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Tulip Grove Elementary Pre-K | Hermitage | 3 to 5 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Tusculum Elementary Pre-K | South Nashville | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Una Elementary Pre-K | Donelson / Briley | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:00 PM | Yes |
| Warner Elementary Pre-K | East Nashville | 3 to 5 | 7:45 AM – 2:15 PM | Yes |
Source: Tennessee Department of Human Services provider records. Hours and transport change — confirm with the program, and with MNPS, before you apply.
MNPS Pre-K applications for the 2026-27 year ran March 2 to March 31, 2026. Metro Nashville had not published 2027-28 dates as of November 10, 2026. Private and community programs set their own timelines, and many fill earlier — ask each one. Key Dates is updated the day new dates are announced →
Three routes, and they are regulated differently. Metro Nashville Public Schools runs Pre-K at 80 sites across Davidson County. Private and faith-based programs run another 59, and community organisations run 23. Beyond those, 192 state-licensed child care centres and home-based providers also serve 3- and 4-year-olds.
Through Metro Nashville Public Schools, not through this guide. The application window for the 2026-27 year ran March 2 to March 31, 2026. MNPS had not published 2027-28 dates as of November 10, 2026 — the Key Dates page is updated the day they are announced. Confirm eligibility and any cost directly with MNPS.
Because the rating does not apply to them. QRIS is Tennessee's Quality Rating and Improvement System for child care licensed by the Department of Human Services. Pre-K run by a school district, and most private and community Pre-K, is overseen by the Department of Education instead and is not rated under QRIS. A missing score is a difference in which agency oversees the program, not a judgment about it. Among the 192 licensed child care providers on this page, 160 carry a current QRIS score.
152 of the 192 licensed child care providers here are recorded as accepting Tennessee's childcare subsidy (CCAP), which helps eligible families pay for care. Each provider's page shows its status. Apply for CCAP through the Tennessee Department of Human Services, not through the provider.
Not quite, and the difference matters when you apply. Pre-K is an education program for 3- and 4-year-olds on a school-year calendar, and MNPS Pre-K days typically end in the early afternoon. Licensed child care covers a wider age range and usually runs year-round with longer hours. Many families use one, the other, or both. This guide lists them separately for that reason.
No. Unlike a zoned elementary school, Pre-K is not assigned by address — you apply. Location still matters for the commute, and transportation is not offered everywhere, so check each program directly.