In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. - John Muir
About Framingham Centre Nursery School
How We Started
Private Non-Profit Preschool
Private Non-Profit Preschool
Framingham Centre Nursery School (FCNS) was started in 1963 by First Parish in Framingham to provide a program for young children at a time when there were few in the area. Since then both our reputation for excellence and our school have grown.
Private Non-Profit Preschool
Private Non-Profit Preschool
Private Non-Profit Preschool
In 2006, Framingham Centre Nursery School (FCNS) became a non-profit independent corporation, while still maintaining the same excellent facilities, programs and staff. In April 2009, FCNS became a 501(c)(3) organization.
How we transitioned to Nature-based education
Moving to a nature-based model
With the support of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Framingham Centre Nursery School started exploring a nature-based education model in 2017.
In the Fall of 2018, we opened one Tues/Thurs half day Pre-K class that was based outside in our woods. It was well received by parents and the class moved to all 5 mornings in the Fall of 2019.
Our goal was to transition most of our 7 classrooms to be outside for a majority of the day over a couple of years but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In the Fall of 2020, we opened with 3 classrooms that were all outdoors.
While we continue to have indoor spaces, our classes are outside 100% unless it is dangerous to do so (example: thunderstorms, extreme winds, frostbite temperatures, etc).
To learn more about our Nature-based philosophy - click here.
What Sets Us Apart
Our Flexibility
- Part-time and Full-time programs available with options Before- and After-School Care.
- Toilet trained is NOT required
Family Events
- Family events 3 times a year - Trunk-Or-Treat in October, a Winter Celebration in January and an end of the school year family concert in June
- Active Parent involvement
Our Staff
- Warm, experienced and nurturing staff with diverse experiences and backgrounds
- Low teacher:student ratios
Our Facility
- 5 acres of wooded areas and trails within the property afford excellent opportunities for nature and science studies
- Shallow streams and a small pond provide opportunities to learn about the habitats of frogs, snails, salamanders, birds and wildlife
- Elements of an old garden from when the property was part of the Wallace Nutting Estate, Nuttingholme.
- A large, fenced-in playground
- Each class has a designated outdoor space and an indoor space for when it is dangerous to be outside.
Additional Information
What We Provide
Framingham Centre Nursery School offers a program designed to meet all of your child’s needs. The goals which provide the foundation for our program are:
- To treat each child as a unique person worthy of respect
- To provide a safe and positive environment where each child can reach his/her own potential
- To provide programs and opportunities that stimulate and encourage creativity, curiosity, divergent thinking and self-reliance
- To support and encourage each child’s cognitive, emotional, physical and social development
- To provide a creative setting where children can both learn and play
- To provide an atmosphere where children can build a foundation for future success
- To nurture the joy of learning
