Preschool
For children ages 3-6 yrs old
Our preschool is a blend of Nature Preschool, Forest Kindergarten, and Place-Based Learning, which is experienced outdoors regardless of the weather. Options are available to attend anywhere from one to all four days of school, though a year-long (September to June) commitment is required. Children arrive properly dressed and prepared for a day of learning and playing outside in all weather, both on the farm and in the forest.
Contact lisab@tbtinc.org with any questions.
26/27 Preschool Program Cost
Non-refundable enrollment $100 + 10% tuition deposit. Full and 1st quarter payments are due July 1st.
| Fees | ||
| Preschool 9-1 | One time payment | 3 payment option Due 7/1 ,11/15, and 2/15 |
| 1 day | $2,421 | $887 |
| 2 days | $4,135 | $1,516 |
| 3 days | $5,778 | $2,118 |
Afternoon Preschool/Extended Day Option
Available on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays
From 1-4pm
1 Day: $1,815
2 Day: $3,101
3 Day: $4,500
About Preschool
Nature offers infinite opportunities for growth as we learn and change right along with the seasons. When surrounded by nature, children experience a free flowing and ever changing environment that stimulates all of the senses. An earthen classroom without walls allows for more freedom of choice to follow one’s own interests and discover what it is that makes them shine brightest while allowing space to dramatically strengthen skills across the board. Unstructured outdoor play fosters children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development all while boosting self-concept.
- We sharpen our power of observation and inquiry through investigating natural phenomenon around us, asking questions and finding answers in teachable moments as they arise. Children are naturally curious explorers, and nature provides endless opportunities to experience the sights, scents, sounds, and textures of our world.
- Spending our time in fresh open air enhances feelings of peace and overall emotional wellbeing. Children are allowed the freedom to express themselves in ways that can be restricted indoors; they can run, jump, climb, roll, shout, make noise and move about with friends or observe independently in moments they feel called to. From the restless & energetic to the contemplative & placid children, and all that fit in between, there is a place in nature to allow us to focus on our interests and relieve our tensions in ways that feel good for us.
- Nature offers an open-ended platform for imaginative play, child-initiated games, and exploration of curiosities. Children have a chance to interact with new and different playmates in a multitude of ways as they learn to share and problem solve. As guides, we aim to give children the tools necessary for solving their own problems and conflict as scenarios arise. We utilize different techniques such as collaborative problem solving, positive reinforcement, and talking openly about feelings and solutions to help build social skills.
- Nature has a way of bringing out the nurturing qualities of children as they grow in empathy towards one another, often reaching out to friends who may be sad or hurt. Through developing empathy, children learn to more readily recognize these feelings in themselves and we aim to help students form healthy coping mechanisms along the way.
- Through the program, children form healthy self-concepts as they become increasingly independent and learn how to take responsibility for their belongings, their actions, and their well-being. Students’ emotional regulation and resiliency strengthens as well as they continually navigate new challenges and experiences.
- We allow healthy risk in open-ended play, which is a balance of risk and safety appropriate to the child. Children are provided a level of challenge, which helps them learn new skills. We aim towards forming bonds of trust and independence for kids to figure out what works and what doesn’t in the real world. Students are given the freedom to climb trees, hop from rock to rock, and run along rooted paths after being given appropriate guidance and boundaries. When they meet failure and fall short of expectations, this gives them the opportunity to reassess and problem solve as they readjust their plans, ultimately building their resilience as confident and capable human beings.
- Children are able to connect to nature in meaningful ways, forming bonds and attachments as we grow in relationship with the earth through direct experience. On a broad scale, we are guiding children to become protectors and future stewards for the environment. In order to raise compassionate adults who will be passionate about protecting and preserving our planet, they must first form a deep love for it. This is where we open the door for children to become comfortable in nature and explore the many wonders the earth has to share with us.
Preschool Flow of the Day
9:00am Drop off and free play at the Welcome Garden
9:30am Morning meeting and snack
10:00am Outside exploration and themed activity
11:30pm Lunch from home
12:00pm Outside exploration in the forest
1:00pm Parent pick-up at the Welcome Garden
Outdoor Exploration is unstructured play time that occurs in a variety of locations including wooded play spaces, visiting the barn and animal pens, exploring the garden, and hiking trails to destinations like the waterfall, lion rock, beaver pond, mud kitchen, or the circle of stumps.
Theme-based guided activities include art projects, story times, yoga and movement activities, music, and science experiments related to our seasonal theme of the month.
What does animal care look like?
On the farm we have chickens, horses, goats, and sometimes pigs or turkeys. Daily, we visit the animal pen where the chickens and goats reside to collect eggs from the coop, feed the animals, and socialize with our animal friends. Children are given the opportunity to engage with the animals as they feel comfortable, for some this looks like trying to catch the chickens and for others it may be mostly observing. We find that this is an integral way to form bonds with these special living creatures and learn about the ways we can help care for them and meet their needs within a safe yet open environment.
What if it’s raining outside?
Our program operates throughout all seasons and all weather, rain or shine. We believe there is “no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Will my child need to be potty trained?
Children are required to be 3 year olds but it is not necessary that they be potty trained as long as children attend TBT in a pull up or other attire that makes it easy for them to “practice” toileting.
What gear will my child need?
Please see Preschool handbook for gear requirements and recommendations.
Are you a licensed preschool program?
Our program operates as a licensed camp year round following all the Massachusetts camp guidelines. Our lead teacher, Miss Ali, is a licensed early childhood educator for the state of Massachusetts.
What are the enrollment options and cost?
Students may enroll by contacting director at lisab@tbtinc.org or 978-760-3707. Be sure to join our mailing list to get announcements regarding enrollment.
What is the staff to teacher ratio?
Our ratios do not exceed 5:1, which means 5 children per 1 teacher. We find that this creates a more intimate atmosphere, so that we may best cater to our students diverse needs while creating meaningful experiences within our group.
Scholarship Fundraiser
Each year Turn Back Time holds a golf tournament to raise funds so that we can offer needs based scholarships to our students. We will offer these scholarships using the following criteria: Families who qualify for EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare will be offered a 25% scholarship until scholarship funds have been exhausted. In order for us to continue to offer the scholarships we always need support. Keep your eye out for opportunities to give and help out.
