Preschool / Nursery School Serving Newton, MA and Surrounding Communities
Auburndale Community Nursery School (ACNS) proudly serves as a trusted early childhood education program in Newton, Massachusetts. Conveniently located at 230 Central Street, Newton, MA 02466, ACNS offers preschool, flexible daycare, and Pre-K programs designed to support each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Cities & Towns We Proudly Serve
With over 45 years of experience nurturing children ages 2 years 9 months through Pre-K, families from Newton and the surrounding communities choose ACNS for its highly qualified teaching staff and commitment to kindergarten readiness. Families from the following cities and towns regularly choose us for quality early education and flexible daycare:
Whether you’re searching for a nurturing nursery school near you or a preschool in Newton close to Waltham or Watertown, ACNS is centrally located to support busy families throughout the region.
- Newton, MA — including Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Waban, and Newton Lower Falls
- Waltham, MA and our nursery school serving Waltham
- Watertown, MA
- Weston, MA
- Wellesley, MA and our nursery school serving Wellesley
- Needham, MA
- Other nearby Middlesex and Norfolk County communities
Why Families from Newton & Nearby Towns Choose ACNS
We understand that choosing the right preschool and childcare is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Here’s what sets ACNS apart:
Play-Based Curriculum with Real Learning Outcomes
Playful exploration paired with structured activities builds early literacy, math concepts, creativity, and social skills.
Experienced & Caring Teaching Staff
Every classroom is staffed by Massachusetts EEC-certified teachers. Learn more about our staff.
Flexible Daycare Scheduling
Flexible daycare before and after preschool makes ACNS a great option for families.
Community-Focused Environment
Family engagement through school events and parent involvement is a big reason families across the region love ACNS.
Preschool & Early Childhood Programs
ACNS provides a range of early learning options tailored to each developmental stage:
Preschool Program (Ages 2.9–3.5)
Designed for budding independence and social connection, using play, music, art, literacy, and outdoor exploration. Learn more.
Pre-K Program (Ages 4–5)
Five mornings a week of kindergarten readiness: letters and sounds, number sense, fine motor skills, and self-regulation.
Flexible Daycare
8:00am–9:00am and 12:00pm–5:30pm, billed by the hour at $20. See our Tuition Schedule.
Summer Program
Water play, art, and outdoor fun. Explore our Summer Preschool Program.
A Central Location for Busy Families
Auburndale sits at the crossroads of Route 128 (I-95) and the Mass Pike (I-90), with commuter rail stations in Auburndale and West Newton. That makes ACNS a practical choice whether you commute into Boston, north toward Waltham’s office parks, or south toward Needham and Wellesley. Most families reach us in 5 to 15 minutes.
Our convenient location, paired with hourly flexible daycare, means you can design a schedule around your work — not the other way around.
Kindergarten Readiness for Every District
Our graduates go on to kindergarten in Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wellesley, and Needham public schools, as well as independent schools throughout the area. Wherever they head next, children leave ACNS with the confidence, independence, social skills, and early literacy and math foundations to thrive.
Neighborhood Guide: How Close Is ACNS?
Approximate drive times from local town centers to ACNS in Auburndale. Actual times depend on traffic.
Auburndale & West Newton
About 5 minutes. Our closest neighbors. West Newton families.
Newton Lower Falls
About 5 minutes via Route 16 or Grove Street. Lower Falls families.
Newtonville & Waban
About 10 minutes. See Newtonville and Waban.
Waltham
About 10 minutes from downtown across the Charles. Waltham families.
What Families Across the Region Have in Common
Our families come from different towns, backgrounds, and traditions, but they share a few things: they want their children to feel loved and safe at school, to make real friendships, and to grow into curious, confident learners. They value teachers who know their child well, and they appreciate a school small enough that the directors greet every family by name.
They also appreciate practical support. Hourly flexible daycare, a predictable school-year calendar that mirrors the Newton Public Schools, and a central location near major commuting routes make daily life easier for families across Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wellesley, and Needham.
Most importantly, families find community. Through parent breakfasts, holiday celebrations, Literacy Month, and our spring events, parents from different towns become friends — and those connections often last well beyond preschool.
Choosing a Preschool Outside Your Town
Some families wonder whether it makes sense to choose a preschool outside their own town. For many, the answer is yes. Preschool is about fit — the teachers, the philosophy, the schedule, and the community — and a short drive is often worth it for the right program. ACNS families from Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wellesley, and Needham tell us the drive to Auburndale quickly becomes part of a happy morning routine, and that their children’s friendships easily span town lines.
Because our half-day preschool pairs with hourly flexible daycare, families can arrange drop-off and pickup around their commute. And when it’s time for kindergarten, our graduates are well prepared for their home district, wherever it may be. Request a tour to see if ACNS is the right fit for your family.
Visit ACNS From Anywhere in the Area
We welcome families from Newton and every surrounding town. Request a tour to see our classrooms and meet our teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you serve families outside Newton, MA?
Yes! Families from Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wellesley, Needham, and other nearby towns attend ACNS.
Where exactly is ACNS located?
230 Central Street in the Auburndale village of Newton, MA 02466.
What ages do you serve?
We welcome children ages 2 years 9 months through Pre-K.
What is your schedule and childcare flexibility?
Preschool runs 9am–12pm, with hourly flexible daycare 8:00am–9:00am and 12:00pm–5:30pm.
How does ACNS prepare children for kindergarten?
Our Pre-K program builds literacy, numeracy, independence, and social skills through play-based learning.
Is ACNS close to Route 128 and the Mass Pike?
Yes, Auburndale sits right at the junction of Route 128 (I-95) and the Mass Pike (I-90).
Do children from other towns fit in easily?
Absolutely. Families from many towns attend ACNS, and friendships quickly form across communities.
Contact Us
We would love to meet your family. Call, email, or send us a note to request a tour of our Auburndale classrooms, ask about openings, or learn more about preschool, Pre-K, and flexible daycare in Newton, MA.
- 230 Central Street, Newton, MA 02466
- (617) 527-0723
- info@acnsnewton.org
- Preschool 9:00am–12:00pm, Mon–Fri · Flex childcare 8:00am–9:00am and 12:00pm–5:30pm