Habitat Nature Preschool

Contact Us  Kayla Piccarreto, Preschool Director 617-207-2160 Email Us • Location & Directions Keep In Touch Complete an interest form to be added to the waitlist and receive the latest updates about upcoming open houses and more. Join the list >

What could be more magical than a preschool where each child's innate connection to nature is celebrated? Through hands-on activities, exploration, movement, and play, Mass Audubon's nature preschools support children's curiosity and wonder by using our wildlife sanctuaries as outdoor classrooms. Give your child a fun, unique, and adventurous learning experience that will last a lifetime. 

Habitat Nature Preschool will be accepting 10 children ages 3–5 per day in Fall 2023. Stay up-to-date on enrollment by joining our interest list.

Tour the Preschool

Come meet the staff, see the preschool's indoor classroom, and explore the outdoor spaces students will enjoy at the wildlife sanctuary. Contact us at [email protected] to schedule a tour.

About the Preschool

Program Options

We offer 5-day (Monday–Friday) and 3-day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) options for students. If finances are getting in the way of your child attending Habitat Nature Preschool, assistance is available; please contact the preschool director to request a financial aid application.

Our Curriculum

At Habitat Nature Preschool, we create a wide variety of nature-based curriculum that reflects the needs of all our students. We have the flexibility to let children and nature guide our daily activities, all while following guidelines set by EEC.

We provide opportunities for indoor and outdoor play—both structured and unstructured—in order to develop cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Children learn foundational skills in math, science, and literacy as they explore natural history through art, books, music, hands-on experiments, and play. The combination of outdoor adventures and shared learning experiences creates a strong sense of self, sense of place, and sense of community for each child.

Our Director

Kayla Piccarreto (she/her) is Habitat Nature Preschool's director. Kayla began her journey into early education in 2007 as an assistant teacher; since then, she has taught as Lead Teacher for both toddler- and preschool-aged groups. She has worked closely with many different teaching teams as a staff mentor/advocate, board member, assistant director, and director. She joined the staff of Mass Audubon in October 2022 with a dedication to creating a new nature-based program that is committed to supporting young children and their families. "My goal is to provide a culturally accepting, play-based learning space focused on supporting the whole child while honoring their life experiences," she says. "Habitat’s trails, wildlife, and resources offer many opportunities for exploration and discovery that will guide our lessons and experiences as we learn and grow together."

Mass Audubon Membership

All enrolled families are required to have a current Mass Audubon membership at the family level or higher by the start of the school year. As a Mass Audubon member, you receive free access to our network of wildlife sanctuaries throughout the state, discounts on programs, camps, and the Mass Audubon Shop, and play a crucial role in supporting our mission to protect the nature of Massachusetts. Learn more about becoming a Mass Audubon member today.