BHN’s foundations can be traced to the late 1950’s, when a group of Brown Memorial Church families acknowledged the need for a mother’s group in the area. Eventually their group grew into a cooperative nursery school that served the needs of both working and non-working parents. Bolton Hill Nursery was officially founded in 1969.
In the mid-1980s, Bolton Hill Nursery became an independent, non-religious, non-profit school utilizing a play-based philosophy of learning. In December 2012, the BHN board made the decision to purchase our current building, the former home of Family and Children's Services. Importantly, the building boasts a big yard perfect for children’s outdoor discovery and spacious, bright, “homey” rooms ideal for indoor investigation.
Application Process
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How to Apply?
To submit an application, click the "Apply Here" button above to be redirected to the online application (via Google Forms). Please note that we cannot enroll children until they have reached 24 months. You may submit an application for a child as soon as you have an expected delivery date. Please keep this in mind when selecting your intended school year. Although we do accept children with later birthdays, priority admission will go to students who are of eligible age by September 1st of each academic year.
Your application will be completed upon submission of the electronic payment of our non-refundable, one-time $50.00 application fee. If paying electronically, please allow for processing time as our Office handles invoicing for credit cards. A copy of your responses will be sent after the form is completed. Please keep this document for your records, along with your formal application acknowledgement once your fee is processed.
Application Deadlines
Applications are always welcome. Enrollment is a rolling process that kicks off in late fall every year. Admission is based on several factors, please read below for more. Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by November 1st for the upcoming school year.
2024-2025 Admissions Timeline
November 2023 Re-enrollment period begins
December 2023 New student enrollment begins
January-April 2024 New student enrollment continues based on space as available
We pause our enrollment cycle while we transition from our academic program to summer camp. Enrollment re-opens based on space, but is usually extremely limited.
Interested in a tour? Please reach out to inquire at: office@boltonhillnursery.org
Admissions Process
School Year
Bolton Hill Nursery believes that a diverse environment and community is essential to, and positively enhances, the growth and development of every child. Bolton Hill Nursery does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability, in any of its activities or operations. We are enthusiastically committed to affirming and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our community.
We begin our initial enrollment for the school year and summer program in late fall. Applications received before November 1st will receive priority consideration. Additional factors including age, time on the waitlist, and location are considered. Although we are happy to serve the whole of Baltimore's community of families, we are primarily a neighborhood institution, and as such are committed to serving the 21217 zip code. However, the admissions process continues until full enrollment is reached. Once your child is placed on the waitlist, they will remain so in perpetuity, or until you inform BHN you no longer require consideration. Should a vacancy occur and a spot becomes available, parents/guardians shall be appropriately notified.
To be awarded a September 1 start date spot in our two year old program the year you are applying, your child must be two years of age on or by September 1st. We still encourage interested families or guardians to submit an application for their child, even if your child will not be or turn two years old by September 1st of the year you wish to be considered for admission. Applicants with a birthday after September 1st will be placed onto our waitlist, and should a vacancy occur and a later fall/winter opening occur, parents/guardians shall be appropriately notified.
If you are offered a spot in our program and do not accept, your application will be placed in an inactive file. If you wish to be considered for another school year position, you must reapply. You may may request to have your application roll over to the next academic year, but Bolton Hill Nursery reserves the right to approve or deny these requests.
Summer Sessions
Priority admission to our summer program is given to currently enrolled children. If there is space, children enrolled for the coming school year may be admitted to the summer program. Occasionally if there is room, a child will be admitted for only the summer program, though this is not typical.
You may request to stay on our waiting list to be considered for our summer program should a vacancy occur. If a vacancy occurs, parents/guardians shall be appropriately notified.