Play with purpose
Children investigate, imagine, create, and solve real-world problems through hands-on, play-based learning.
Groton’s nonprofit early learning community
A bright beginning,built around your child.
Affordable, high-quality education and care for children from 12 weeks through kindergarten—rooted in play, relationships, and the belief that every family deserves to thrive.
6am–5pm weekdays50 weeks a year
Come curious. Leave glowing.
NAEYC accreditedsince 1996
Little hands.
Big worlds.
Big worlds.
Look what love can do↓
165children served in 2024
25teachers on staff
22preschool graduates
97.5%NAEYC reaccreditation score
Our mission
More than child care.
A whole-family promise.
Nurturing the unique needs of children and their families through affordable, high-quality education and care.
Riverfront is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit where teachers, families, volunteers, and donors come together to help young children feel safe, known, and ready for what comes next.
Meet RiverfrontWhat makes Riverfront special
Childhood is the curriculum.
Every classroom is designed around how young children learn best: through secure relationships, meaningful play, and joyful discovery.
Bring learning outside
Gardens, mud kitchens, water tables, and peaceful outdoor spaces turn curiosity into science, math, and wonder.
Grow lifelong readers
Storytelling, Husky Reads, and weekly visits with Bill Memorial Library make literacy part of every day.
Know our community
Neighborhood walks and local partnerships help children feel connected to the people and places around them.
The art of growing up
There is no such thing as just playing.
Every splash, story, tower, question, and muddy shoe is a doorway into something bigger.
WHY?
askdigsplashbuildreadrepeat!In their own words
“You all are like angels.”
Hear local moms share what it means to find trusted care, compassionate teachers, and a village that shows up for their families.
Start your family’s journey →
Curiosity grows here.Families are part of the classroom
Care that reaches beyond drop-off.
Children do best when their whole family feels supported.
From individualized learning and early intervention partnerships to parent tools and Karen’s Closet—Riverfront’s on-site food pantry—families find practical support and a community that knows their name.
32,000+pounds of food distributed to families in 2024
Find family resources A gift with a lifetime of impact
Help a child’s world grow.
Gifts of every size help make high-quality early education, family resources, and a strong start accessible to more children across Southeastern Connecticut.