Pre-K Program in Newton, MA
The Pre-K program at Auburndale Community Nursery School helps four- and five-year-olds get ready for kindergarten through play, friendship and hands-on learning. Our Dinosaur and Penguin classes meet five mornings a week in Auburndale, Newton.
Who Our Pre-K Program Is For
Our Pre-K is designed for children who are about four to five years old and will start kindergarten the following fall. Some join us after a year or two in our younger preschool classes; others are new to ACNS. Either way, Pre-K is a special year where children become the oldest in the school and grow into confident leaders.
Families come to our Pre-K from across Newton, including Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville, as well as Waltham, Watertown and other nearby communities. Our location at 230 Central Street, just off the Mass Pike and Route 128, keeps drop-off easy.
The Dinosaur and Penguin Classrooms
ACNS has two Pre-K classrooms, the Dinosaur Class and the Penguin Class. Both follow the same play-based Pre-K approach and the same five-morning schedule, and each is led by Mass EEC-certified teachers who know this age group well. Many of our teachers have been with ACNS for years. You can meet them on our educators page.
Each classroom is set up with areas for reading and writing, blocks and building, art, science and discovery, math games and dramatic play. Materials change with the seasons and with children's interests, so there is always something new to explore.
Five Mornings a Week, 9:00am to Noon
Pre-K meets Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Coming every day gives children the consistency they need to master routines, deepen friendships and follow projects from one day to the next, much like they will in kindergarten.
Need more time? Flexible daycare is available from 8:00am to 9:00am and from 12:00pm to 5:30pm, billed only for the hours you use. Afternoons include lunch, rest, a themed activity and outdoor play, which makes ACNS a great option for families who need a longer day some or all of the week.
A Pre-K Morning at ACNS
Every morning follows a warm, predictable rhythm that helps children feel capable and ready to learn.
How Play Builds Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten readiness is about much more than knowing letters and numbers. Teachers look for children who can listen, try new things, get along with classmates and take care of themselves. Our Pre-K grows all of these skills through meaningful play rather than worksheets or drills.
Early Literacy
Children listen to stories, retell them, play rhyming games, trace and write their names, and notice letters in signs and books all around the room.
Math Concepts
Counting snack, measuring ingredients, sorting buttons, building patterns and comparing block towers turn math into something children do every day.
Problem-Solving
Science experiments, puzzles and building challenges invite children to predict, test ideas and try again when something does not work.
Communication
Circle time and small groups give children practice speaking in front of friends, asking questions and explaining their thinking.
Cooperation
Group projects and pretend play teach children to share ideas, take turns, compromise and celebrate each other's work.
Independence
Children hang up their own coats, open lunch containers, choose activities and help clean up, building the self-help skills kindergarten expects.
Classroom Routines, Directions and Working With Peers
A big part of Pre-K is learning how to be part of a classroom. Our teachers help children become comfortable with daily routines such as arriving, washing hands, gathering for circle and transitioning between activities. Visual schedules and songs make each step clear and predictable.
Children practice following two- and three-step directions, waiting for a turn to speak and staying with a task until it is finished. In small groups, they learn to work alongside peers, divide jobs and solve problems together. Teachers coach gently, celebrate progress and give every child the support they need.
By spring, Pre-K children are proud helpers who can lead a song, show a younger friend the playground rules and tell a story about their weekend. That growing confidence is what helps them walk into kindergarten ready to thrive, whether they head to Newton Public Schools, Waltham, Watertown or another district.
Common Questions About Kindergarten Readiness
Parents often wonder whether their child is "ready." Every child develops on their own timeline, and our teachers are happy to talk through your child's strengths and next steps at conferences or anytime. Some questions we hear often:
- Is Pre-K academic? We teach real early literacy and math skills, but always through hands-on, play-based experiences that suit how four- and five-year-olds learn.
- My child has a fall birthday. Is Pre-K right for them? Our teachers will help you decide whether Pre-K or one of our younger preschool classes is the best fit.
- How do you share progress? Teachers share observations with families throughout the year and meet with parents to talk about growth and readiness.
Pre-K Tuition
5 Mornings
Monday – Friday · 9am–12pm
$10,130
per year
+ $20 / hour flexible daycare
3 Mornings
Monday, Wednesday, Friday · 9am–12pm
$6,947
per year
+ $20 / hour flexible daycare
2 Mornings
Tuesday & Thursday · 9am–12pm
$4,431
per year
+ $20 / hour flexible daycare
- Payment plans available
Partnering With Families Through the Pre-K Year
Pre-K is a year of big growth, and we see families as partners in it. Teachers share stories and photos of classroom projects, invite parents to celebrations and family events, and welcome conversations about how each child is doing. In spring, we help families think about the move to kindergarten and what to expect in those first weeks.
Because many of our Pre-K families have been with ACNS since their child was a young preschooler, the year often ends with a proud celebration of how far each child has come.
Enrolling in Pre-K at ACNS
Pre-K spaces fill each year, so we encourage families to visit early. Start by reviewing our tuition schedule and the ACNS school calendar, then request a tour to see the Dinosaur and Penguin classrooms in action.
Want the bigger picture? Our Preschool Program page covers all five classrooms, and our Newton preschool page shares more about our Auburndale community.
See Our Pre-K Classrooms
Request a tour to meet our Pre-K teachers and see kindergarten readiness through play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the ACNS Pre-K program for?
Pre-K is for children about four to five years old who will start kindergarten the following school year.
How many days a week does Pre-K meet?
Pre-K meets five mornings a week, Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
What is the difference between the Dinosaur and Penguin classes?
Both are Pre-K classrooms with the same schedule and play-based approach. Each has its own team of Mass EEC-certified teachers.
Can my Pre-K child stay for the afternoon?
Yes. Flexible daycare runs 12:00pm to 5:30pm, plus 8:00am to 9:00am before school, billed by the hour.
Do families from outside Newton enroll in Pre-K?
Yes. Families come from Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Wellesley and other nearby towns as well as every Newton village.
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