Wachusett Meadow Preschool Programs

What could be more magical than a preschool where each child's innate connection to nature is celebrated? At the Nature Adventures for Young Folks program at Wachusett Meadow, children learn through hands-on experiences in nature that address the developmental needs of children ages 3.5-5. Young children participate in early educational experiences that foster the development of the whole child and grow a lifelong relationship with nature.

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

Join today! Enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 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, books, music, and movement, children learn emergent math, science, and literacy skills as they investigate stimulating natural history topics

Explore & Play Outdoors

Young children learn best through purposeful and productive play. By exploring the forests, fields, wetlands, and ponds of Wachusett Meadow, they form emotional connections to the land, stay physically active, and foster a sense of discovery. 

Outdoor play experiences such as building a fort or digging a channel between two puddles provide children with opportunities to practice the social and intellectual skills of planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and collaboration

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

Nature Adventures for Young Folks

Preschool Program

Quality Teachers & Small Class Sizes

Each class is taught by highly qualified early childhood educators.

Class size averages 10-15 students with two or three teachers, giving a teacher-to-child ratio of 1:5.

Part Time Schedule

Our part time preschool program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 am-1:30 pm. Participants can register for one or both days. 

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

Age Requirements

Wachusett Meadow’s Nature Adventures program is open to children ages 3.5-5 years old. Children must be 3.5 years old to enroll and may do so mid-year if there is space available.

Register Today for the 2024-2025 School Year

Mass Audubon members enjoy benefits like free admission to wildlife sanctuaries, discounts on programs and shop items, and access to community programs like Wachusett Meadow’s Nature Adventures program.

1-Day Program ($1,188/year for members; $1,328/year for non-members)
Tuesdays or Thursdays 9:30 am-1:30 pm

2-Day Program ($2,376/year for members; $2,656/year for non-members)
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 am-1:30 pm

A minimum deposit is required to hold your spot and payment plans are available to meet your family need.

Financial Assistance is Available

Financial assistance is available through our scholarship fund and is based on economic need and available funds. Financial assistance applications are accepted and awarded on an ongoing, rolling basis based on need and available funds. 

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about the Nature Adventures program at Wachusett Meadow, email or call 978-464-2712.