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Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary

Nature Preschool at Arcadia

What could be more magical than a preschool where each child's innate connection to nature is celebrated? At Mass Audubon's Arcadia Nature Preschool, children learn through hands-on, nature-based experiences that address the developmental needs of children ages 3-5.

Preschoolers explore the varied habitats at Arcadia, including forests, meadows, ponds, and streams, across the 750-acre wildlife sanctuary. Give your child a fun, unique, and adventurous learning experience that will last a lifetime.

Now Enrolling

Join today! Enrollment is now open, and space is available for the 2025-2026 school year

  • Preschool story time at Arcadia
  • Arcadia Preschools building a fort
  • Four small kids jumping & laughing at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary © Phil Doyle
    © Phil Doyle
  • Arcadia preschoolers with nets on water's edge 1
    Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Easthanpton
  • preschools walking through an arch on graduation
    Arcadia Nature Preschool, Easthampton

Nature Preschool Activities

Outdoor Exploration

Outdoor exploration is an important part of our curriculum—we immerse ourselves in nature, exploring plants and animals through hands-on studies. A balance of structured and unstructured time, including playtime, gives opportunities to support cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth in each child.     

Investigating the forests, meadows, ponds, and gardens encourages emotional connections to the land, promotes physical development, and fosters a sense of discovery. Children learn to identify plants, flowers and wildlife while developing a long-lasting respect and care for the sanctuary and the natural world.   

Nature Play

Children have the opportunity to play, use their imagination, and interact with one another while exploring the changing landscape and various habitats around the sanctuary during all seasons.  

A sense of self and community is created through cooperative experiences and shared play and discoveries in nature. Through outdoor games, art activities, music, and movement, children learn emergent social and academic skills as they investigate that natural world together.  

Quality Teachers & Small Class Size

Each class is taught by highly qualified early childhood educators licensed by the MA Department of Early Education and Care. Our class sizes are always small, giving a teacher-to-child ratio of 1:6.    

2025-2026 Preschool Schedule & Pricing

Arcadia Nature Preschool offers a range of schedules to meet the needs of young children (and parents) as they begin their educational journey.  

3-Day Preschool Program ($8,225/year) 
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm  

2-Day Preschool Program ($5,485/year) 
Thursday & Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 

5-Day Preschool Option (enroll for both programs) 
Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 

Academic Year

The preschool year runs from early September to early June. For 2025-26 the school year runs from September 8, 2025, to June 12, 2026. Vacations and holidays coincide with the Easthampton Public Schools district calendar. 

Nature Preschool Age Requirements

Arcadia Nature Preschool is open to children ages 3-5 years old. Children must be 3 years old by September 1 of the school year they are enrolling for.  

How to Enroll

All families who have children enrolled are required to have a current Mass Audubon family membership level (or higher) by the start of the school year in September. More information

First, fill out the application for the 2025-2026 Preschool Year. You will receive an auto-generated message immediately after completing the form confirming that your application has been received.   

Families may register at any time after January 1. Priority registration is given to returning preschool families until January 30. Enrollment acceptance is ongoing based on available space.  

Mass Audubon Membership

Mass Audubon members enjoy benefits like free admission to wildlife sanctuaries, discounts on programs and shop items, and access to programs like Arcadia Nature Preschool. All families with children enrolled in preschool are required to have a current Mass Audubon family membership level (or higher). Learn more and become a member

History

Arcadia Nature Preschool, founded in 1976, was the first nature preschool in Massachusetts and one of the first in the country. This groundbreaking program has inspired numerous other preschools around the state and beyond and continues to innovate. 

More Information

To contact us with questions, please call 413-584-3009 or email us.