Drumlin Farm Community Preschool

What could be more magical than a preschool where each child's innate connection to nature is celebrated? At Drumlin Farm Community Preschool in Lincoln, Massachusetts, children learn through hands-on experiences in nature that address the developmental needs of children ages 3-5.  

Preschoolers will explore habitats bursting with life, including farm fields, forest trails, and the barnyard loop at the 291-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

Nature Preschool Activities 

Our nature preschool program provides ample opportunities for indoor and outdoor play—both structured and unstructured—to develop cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth in each child.  

A sense of self and community is created through cooperative experiences and shared discoveries. Through outdoor adventures, art and cooking activities, books, music, and movement, children learn emergent math, science, and literacy skills as they investigate stimulating natural history topics. 

Explore & Play Outdoors 

Investigating the forests, wetlands, and fields of Drumlin Farm forms emotional connections to the land, promotes physical development, and fosters a sense of discovery. 

Children play, use their imagination, and interact with one another while also exploring the changing landscape and various habitats around the sanctuary. 

Discover Life on the Farm 

Children are involved in the life cycle of growing food on the farm—from planting to harvesting and tasting. Along with these hands-on experiences, they are also learning about farming, soil, water, and plants. Children develop healthy relationships with food and expand their pallets as they try tasty fruits and vegetables grown on site.  

Make Meaningful Connections with Animals 

Our unique approach provides a variety of authentic opportunities for children to share meaningful connections with animals, including farm animal care, wildlife observations in nature, and regular visits with an animal ambassador through Mass Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center. 

In addition, preschoolers will learn long-term care for resident animals, like Alice the Rabbit, who is a year-round addition to our indoor classroom, as well as the hens that live in the school play-yard classroom.  

Quality Teachers & Small Class Sizes

Each class is taught by highly qualified early childhood educators who are licensed by the MA Department of Early Education and Care.  

Class size averages 10-12 students with two teachers, giving a teacher-to-child ratio of 1:6. Two separate classrooms of students are operating out of the sanctuary each day. 

Part Time Preschool Schedule 

Our 2-day (Tuesdays & Thursdays) and 3-day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) part time preschool programs provide the ideal schedule to ease your little ones into the full-time school experience. Please note: a 5-day class session is not currently available.  

3-Day Preschool Program 
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00 am-4:00 pm 
Fridays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 

2-Day Preschool Program 
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 am-4:00 pm 

The preschool year runs September-June; specific start dates, end date, holidays, and vacation week schedules are provided in our Family Handbook, which is made available the summer before school starts. 

Community Preschool Age Requirements 

Drumlin Farm’s Community 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.  

2025-2026 Preschool Year 

Mass Audubon members enjoy benefits like free admission to wildlife sanctuaries, discounts on programs and shop items, and access to community programs like Drumlin Farm Community Preschool. 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.  

3-Day Program ($16,242/year)
Monday, Wednesday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm 
Friday, 9:00 am–1:00 pm 

2-Day Program ($12,524/year)
Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm 

How to Enroll

First, fill out our enrollment application. You will receive an auto-generated message immediately after completing the form confirming that your application has been received.  

The registration deadline for returning families, currently enrolled children and their siblings is January 10, 2025. The deadline for new families is February 7, 2025. After this date, enrollment is ongoing and based on available space.  

Each family will receive an email with their child’s enrollment status around late January/early February. At this time, you will be notified as to whether your child has a space in our program or is on our waitlist. Waitlisted families will be notified if a space becomes available. 

Financial Assistance

Modest financial assistance is available through our scholarship fund and is based on economic need and available funds. Financial assistance applications are due by February 2, 2025.

Virtual Open House 

Join us from the comfort of your own home for an evening focused on learning more about our preschool program. Our virtual open houses include a presentation, opportunities to hear from our faculty, see our program in action through photos and videos, and understand more about our philosophy and daily schedule. We will conclude our time with a question and answer session. 

Tuesday, December 3, 8:00-9:00 pm
Friday, January 10, 10:30-11:30 am
Monday, January 27, 7:30-8:30 pm

RSVP

Please RSVP at least two days prior to each open house. The meeting link will be sent to registered families.

In-Person Tours

We are excited to offer in-person tours this winter. We will spend some time in our two indoor classrooms, outside in our outdoor play-spaces, and learning more about our preschool.

Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Tuesday, January 7, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Monday, January 27, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Wednesday, February 5, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Monday, February 10, 11:30 am-12:30 pm

RSVP

Please RSVP at least two days prior to each open house. Location details will be sent in your confirmation e-mail.

Please note: To qualify, preschoolers must be 3 years old by September 1, 2025. 

Contact Us 

If you would like to learn more about the Drumlin Farm Community Preschool you can email or call 781-259-2224.