Enrollment

This program sounds perfect for my child! What is the enrollment process?

Great! The first step to enroll is to submit an online application here. Once we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule a tour of our preschool space. After the tour, you will be notified of our admission decision. If your child is accepted and you choose to enroll, you will be given an enrollment packet to fill out. The last step is an enrollment meeting at the preschool where you will give us the packet and a $50 enrollment fee, we will go over the handbook, get you signed up for our payment/communication app, and give you some materials to help your student get ready for their first day!

Can I enroll my child for only certain months?

Although tuition is paid monthly, enrollment at Nature and Nurture Preschool is a school-year commitment. This means unless you give notice of un-enrolling your child and forfeiting their spot, you are signing up for September-June. If you go on an extended vacation or a child has an extended leave, you will still be expected to pay that month’s tuition as the spot in our program is still being held for your child. If your child starts during the school year, you will not be responsible for the previous month(s) payments.

My child has a disability. Can they attend your program?

YES! We welcome children with disabilities with open arms, and will make every effort to make necessary accommodations for them. Owner and teacher Alyssa Taft has her Master’s degree in special education and has extensive experience with children and adults with disabilities.

Can you accommodate allergies or other healthcare needs?

Yes, we will do our best to accommodate allergies or other healthcare needs, and will create an individualized healthcare plan with you when your student enrolls.

Do returning students get preferential enrollment? What about siblings?

Yes. Our spots will first be given first to returning students, followed by siblings of current students, then siblings of former students, and finally to new students.

Program Details

Where is Nature and Nurture Preschool located?

We are located in Hadley, Massachusetts. While we don’t post our school’s address for safety reasons, we are located off of Shattuck Road, about 7 minutes northwest from UMass Amherst’s campus.

What schedules do you offer?

NEW for the 2024 school year, we now offer a morning session, and afternoon session, and an option for full-day preschool. Mornings meet 8:30-11:30 AM. Afternoons meet 12:30-3:30 PM. Full-day is 8:30 AM-3:30 PM. Whether your child is enrolled for mornings, afternoons, or full-day, all groups meet Monday-Thursday, from September to June.

Do children eat meals at Nature and Nurture Preschool? What about nap time?

Half-day students will be provided with one healthy snack per day, consisting of at least one fruit or vegetable and at least one dairy or carbohydrate item (i.e. yogurt and berries, crackers with cheese and bell pepper slices). Full day students will have morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack provided. If your child has dietary restrictions or you would just rather they eat food from home, you can also send in a snack and/or lunch with them. Menus are made available to parents ahead of time. Only full day children will have rest/quiet time, from 11:50 AM-12:30 PM.

Who will my child’s teacher be?

Your child’s lead teacher will be preschool owner Alyssa Taft. Read more about Alyssa here. As our program grows, there may be an assistant or volunteers working in the preschool, whom we will let you know about beforehand.

What type of curriculum do you use at Nature and Nurture?

At Nature and Nurture, we do not follow any boxed curriculum. Instead, our students take part in play-based learning where they are given autonomy to go where their interests take them. To learn more about our program and educational philosophy, you can click here.

What is your maximum student-to-teacher ratio?

Our maximum student to teacher ratio is six children to every one teacher. Volunteers do not count towards our ratio.

Do you go outside to play when it’s raining or snowing? What about thunderstorms?

At our preschool, we prioritize students getting outside and interacting with nature (it’s in our name after all!) Students will go out in rain or snow, with proper layers and gear. Types of weather that will prevent us from going outside are temperatures under 15 degrees or over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, thunder or lightning, or other extreme weather, such as a hurricane warning.

Do you close for holidays and vacations? What about snow days? Is there a summer program?

Our school year runs from September-June. In general, we close for national holidays. We also have one winter vacation from December 23rd-January 1st each year. For a list of program closures, view our handbook here. Our program does not close for snow days unless there is a weather emergency (road closures, driving bans etc.) However, parents can choose to keep their child home if they wish. Our summer program is a series of week-long camps which are enrolled and paid for separately. To learn more about our schedule click here.

When are tuition payments due? How are they collected? Is there a sibling discount?

Tuition payments are $1,000 per month for half days and $1500 per month for full days, and are due on the last day of each month for the following month. They are collected through the Brightwheel App. We do offer a 10% sibling discount (tuition is $900 per month half day or $1350 full day for second sibling).

What kind of caregiver involvement and communication do you have at Nature and Nurture?

At Nature and Nurture, we strive to create a school community. Parents are welcome to stop by any time. We also have opportunities for parents who want to be more involved, such as volunteering in the classroom and attending field trips and other events, such as our Winter Art Show. We communicate with families in many ways like posting on the Brightwheel App, sending out a monthly newsletter, and having quarterly progress reports and family-teacher conferences.

Will I need to supply any materials for my child?

The only required items for you to send in with your child are a backpack, change of clothes, and water bottle. You also need to send in diapers or pull-ups and wipes if they are not yet toilet-trained, as well as a blanket if attending full day. All other materials will be provided by the program.