Finding the right preschool in Newton, MA is an important step for both children and parents. You want a place where your child feels comfortable, develops meaningful friendships, learns through discovery, and receives the individual attention needed to grow with confidence.
At Auburndale Community Nursery School (ACNS), we have been part of the Newton community for more than four decades. Located at 230 Central Street in the Auburndale neighborhood of Newton, Massachusetts, our nursery school provides a nurturing, play-based early childhood education for children beginning at age 2 years and 9 months through Pre-K.
Our goal is simple: create an environment where children are excited to come to school.
Through play, conversation, music, art, movement, outdoor activities, stories, imaginative experiences, and hands-on projects, children have opportunities to develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.
Families looking for a Newton preschool, nursery school, Pre-K program, or flexible childcare are invited to learn more about ACNS and experience our community firsthand.
A Play-Based Preschool in Newton, Massachusetts
Young children learn by doing.
At ACNS, play is an important part of the learning process rather than something separate from education. Our play-based approach gives children opportunities to explore new ideas, communicate with classmates, solve problems, use their imaginations, practice independence, and develop confidence.
A preschool classroom might look like children building together with blocks, creating an art project, listening to a story, exploring a dramatic-play area, completing a puzzle, singing together, or investigating something that has captured their curiosity.
Behind those activities, children are developing important skills.
Play can help children learn to communicate ideas, cooperate with others, take turns, solve disagreements, follow routines, make choices, and persist when something is challenging.
Our educators provide structure and guidance while giving children room to explore at an age-appropriate pace.
Learn more about the philosophy behind our early childhood and preschool programs.
Preschool Programs for Children Ages 2.9 Through Pre-K
ACNS offers preschool options designed to meet children at different developmental stages.
Our younger preschool classes serve children beginning at approximately 2 years and 9 months, while our older classes provide an enriching Pre-K experience for children preparing for kindergarten.
Current classroom groups include:
Pony Class
Designed for children approximately age 2.9 through young 3s, the Pony Class helps children become comfortable with the routines of preschool while beginning to build independence and relationships with teachers and classmates.
teddy Class
Our Teddy Bear Class serves older 3-year-olds and provides opportunities for children to expand their communication, social interaction, creativity, and independence through daily play and guided activities.
Bunny Class
The Bunny Class serves older 3 & young 4-year-olds as they continue developing socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively through hands-on experiences.
Dinosaur & Penguin Classes
Our Pre-K classrooms serve older preschool children preparing for the transition to kindergarten.
The program remains grounded in play while giving children opportunities to strengthen early literacy, number awareness, fine motor skills, problem-solving, listening, cooperation, self-regulation, and classroom independence.
Visit our preschool and Pre-K program page for current class and scheduling information.
Experienced Early Childhood Educators
The relationship between a child and their teacher can shape the entire preschool experience.
At ACNS, each classroom is staffed by two Massachusetts EEC-certified teachers. Our educators help create an atmosphere where children can feel known, supported, encouraged, and safe enough to try something new.
Teachers guide children through activities while paying attention to individual developmental needs. They help children navigate friendships, communicate feelings, participate in group activities, build independence, and discover new interests.
ACNS Executive Director Barbara Sullivan has led the school since 1980 and has decades of experience in education and the Newton community. Director Tasha Sullivan has served at ACNS since 2011 and has experience as a classroom teacher and assistant director in addition to her current leadership role.
Parents considering a preschool in Newton can learn more about the people who make our school special on our Meet Our Educators page.
Helping Children Build Social and Emotional Skills
For many children, preschool is one of their first opportunities to become part of a regular community outside their immediate family.
That makes social-emotional learning an essential part of the preschool experience.
Throughout the day, ACNS children have opportunities to practice skills such as:
- Making and maintaining friendships
- Sharing materials and classroom spaces
- Taking turns
- Expressing feelings and ideas
- Listening to others
- Participating in group activities
- Solving age-appropriate problems
- Developing independence
- Following familiar classroom routines
- Asking teachers for help when needed
Children develop these abilities over time and at different rates. Our teachers provide encouragement and guidance as children grow more comfortable navigating a classroom community.
Learning Through Art, Music, Stories and Hands-On Exploration
A high-quality preschool experience should encourage curiosity.
Instead of expecting young children to sit through long periods of formal academic instruction, ACNS incorporates early learning into engaging experiences.
Stories and conversation can support vocabulary and language development. Puzzles, blocks, games, and classroom activities can introduce problem-solving and early mathematical thinking. Drawing, painting, cutting, building, and other projects help children practice fine motor skills.
Music and movement encourage self-expression, listening, coordination, and participation in a group.
Most importantly, children begin to understand that learning is something enjoyable.
That positive relationship with school is an important foundation as children move toward kindergarten and elementary school.
Outdoor Play and Physical Development
Movement is another important part of the preschool day.
Children at ACNS have opportunities for active play that supports gross motor development while giving them another environment in which to interact with friends and explore.
Running, climbing, balancing, moving, and playing outdoors allow children to develop physical skills while building confidence.
Fine motor development happens throughout the classroom as well through drawing, manipulating materials, puzzles, crafts, building, and other hands-on activities.
Our approach recognizes that early childhood development involves the whole child—not only early academic skills.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Readiness in Newton, MA
Parents searching for a Pre-K program in Newton, MA naturally want to know how preschool will prepare their child for kindergarten.
At ACNS, kindergarten readiness includes more than recognizing letters or numbers.
Academic foundations matter, but children also benefit enormously from learning how to participate successfully in a classroom.
Our Pre-K experiences give children opportunities to work on:
- Early literacy and language skills
- Letter and sound awareness
- Number sense and introductory math concepts
- Fine motor development
- Listening and following directions
- Participating in group discussions
- Working independently
- Cooperating with classmates
- Problem-solving
- Managing classroom routines
- Self-regulation and independence
These experiences help children approach their next classroom with familiarity, confidence, curiosity, and an understanding of how a school community works.
Flexible Childcare for Newton Families
For working parents, finding a great preschool is only one part of the equation. The schedule also needs to work for the family.
ACNS combines its morning preschool program with flexible childcare before and after the school day.
The regular preschool morning runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., while flexible childcare is available from 8:00–9:00 a.m. and 12:00–5:30 p.m.
This gives families greater flexibility without requiring children to transition to another childcare provider during the day.
Afternoon care includes a mixture of lunch, rest, projects, snacks, outdoor activities, free play, and themed enrichment.
Learn more about our flexible childcare in Newton, MA.
A Preschool in Newton’s Auburndale Community
ACNS is conveniently located at 230 Central Street, Newton, MA 02466, in Newton’s Auburndale neighborhood.
Our location makes ACNS convenient for families throughout Newton as well as nearby communities such as Waltham and Watertown.
Families often prefer a local preschool because it allows children to build friendships close to home while parents become connected with other families in the surrounding community.
ACNS has been a part of the Newton community for more than 45 years, and that local connection remains an important part of our identity.
A Community-Oriented Nursery School
A preschool is more than classrooms and lesson plans. It is a community of children, educators, and families.
ACNS encourages family involvement and provides opportunities throughout the year for parents and families to become part of their child’s school experience.
School traditions and community activities help children see the connection between home and school while giving parents an opportunity to get to know teachers and other ACNS families.
Our school also celebrates the diversity of our families and the customs and traditions they bring to the ACNS community.
You can learn more about our history and educational philosophy on our About ACNS page.
Summer Preschool Program in Newton
Learning, friendships, and outdoor exploration don’t have to stop when the traditional school year ends.
ACNS also offers a seasonal summer program with a relaxed atmosphere and activities designed for young children.
Summer experiences may include creative projects, outdoor activities, nature exploration, music, games, and opportunities to spend time with friends.
For current dates and registration information, visit our Summer Preschool Program in Newton page.
Choosing the Right Preschool in Newton, MA
Every preschool is different, and visiting in person is one of the best ways to determine whether a school feels right for your child.
As you compare Newton preschools, consider questions such as:
How many teachers are in each classroom?
What is the school’s educational philosophy?
How much of the day involves play and hands-on exploration?
How does the school approach social and emotional development?
What opportunities do children have for outdoor play?
How does the school communicate with families?
Does the schedule work with your family’s childcare needs?
How are older preschoolers prepared for the transition to kindergarten?
Most importantly, consider how you and your child feel when you enter the school.
We encourage prospective ACNS families to visit, meet our educators, see our classrooms, and ask questions.
Preschool Tuition and Enrollment
Program availability and tuition can vary by schedule and school year.
Rather than relying on outdated information from third-party directories, families should review ACNS’s current program and tuition information directly.
Visit our preschool program and tuition information or contact ACNS to ask about current openings, registration, scheduling, or waitlist availability.
Because preschool classes can fill, families interested in a particular schedule are encouraged to begin the conversation early.
Frequently asked questions
ACNS offers early childhood programs beginning at approximately 2 years and 9 months through Pre-K. Classroom placement is based on children’s ages and developmental stage.
Auburndale Community Nursery School is located at 230 Central Street, Newton, MA 02466, in the Auburndale neighborhood of Newton.
Yes. ACNS uses a play-based approach to early childhood education. Children learn through exploration, imaginative play, stories, art, music, movement, projects, social interaction, outdoor activities, and teacher-guided experiences.
Yes. ACNS offers Pre-K classes for children approaching kindergarten age. The program combines play-based learning with opportunities to develop early literacy, math awareness, fine motor skills, independence, cooperation, listening, and other kindergarten-readiness skills.
Each ACNS classroom is staffed by two Massachusetts EEC-certified teachers depending on classroom size.
The regular nursery school morning runs from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Yes. Flexible childcare is available before and after the regular preschool morning. Current hours listed by ACNS are 8:00–9:00 a.m. and 12:00–5:30 p.m. Visit the Flexible Childcare page for additional details.
Yes. In addition to Newton families, ACNS serves families from nearby communities including Waltham and Watertown. The school is located in Auburndale, Newton.
Yes. ACNS offers a seasonal summer program featuring activities such as art, outdoor exploration, music, games, and creative play. See the summer preschool program for current information.
Scheduling a visit is the best place to start. A tour gives your family an opportunity to see the school, learn more about the daily experience, meet educators, and ask questions about programs, scheduling, tuition, and enrollment.
Contact Auburndale Community Nursery School
:Looking for a welcoming, play-based preschool in Newton, Massachusetts?
Come see Auburndale Community Nursery School for yourself.
We welcome families who are exploring preschool, nursery school, Pre-K, or flexible childcare options in Newton and the surrounding area.
Auburndale Community Nursery School
230 Central Street
Newton, MA 02466
Phone: (617) 527-0723
Email: info@acnsnewton.org
Contact ACNS and Request a Tour
Discover a preschool where play, learning, experienced educators, and community come together to help young children grow.