Northern Dutchess Day Care Center
Northern Dutchess Day Care Center is a nonprofit, nature-based early childhood program in Rhinebeck, NY, serving children from infancy through age five along the edge of Ferncliff Forest. It has operated since 1970 and runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with classrooms grouped by age, from a Sprouts infant room through a Montessori-style mixed-age preschool class for 3- to 5-year-olds.
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Program details
A nonprofit, nature-based day care center in Rhinebeck serving infants through age five across age-grouped classrooms, with details families can confirm before enrollment.
Age range
Children from infancy through age five are served, grouped into Sprouts (6-17 months), Seedlings (18 months to 2.5 years), Saplings (around 30 to 36 months), and a Forest Friends mixed-age class for ages 3-5.
Hours
Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with child pickup by 5:20 PM.
Approach
A nature-based early childhood program where curiosity, creativity, and connection to the natural world guide the day, with a mission to create a lifelong love for learning and respect for all creatures, great and small, through Nature education.
Setting
Located just outside the Village of Rhinebeck, nestled along the edge of Ferncliff Forest. The nonprofit has been at its current site since 1982 and owns its building and grounds.
Preschool class
The Forest Friends classroom uses a Montessori-style, mixed-age grouping for 3- to 5-year-olds.
New classroom
A brand-new infant classroom is opening in Spring 2026.
Enrollment
Families begin by completing an enrollment interest form, and once a space becomes available they receive an email invitation to join Brightwheel, the center's secure parent portal, where required documentation is completed.
Tuition
Tuition is billed every two weeks through Brightwheel and is required for all scheduled days, including absences and holidays. A $150 non-refundable registration fee plus the first two weeks of tuition are required at enrollment. Confirm current rates directly with the center.
Capacity
Licensed by NY OCFS as a Day Care Center with a total capacity of 38 children (8 infant, 15 toddler, 15 preschool).
History
A nonprofit organization founded in 1970, described as Rhinebeck's longest-running nonprofit daycare and the area's first center-based child care program.
Location
26 Mount Rutsen Rd, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.
Program details can change, so ask about current age openings and classroom placement, the daily schedule and pickup time, the registration fee and tuition amounts, the best phone number to reach the center, inspection-history details, and current licensing status before making plans.
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