Girl with binoculars Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Girl with binoculars Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
group of preschools wearing rain jackets in the field

Nature Preschools

The purpose of Mass Audubon's innovative, licensed Nature Preschools is to provide a high quality environment for young children that helps them grow as learners, curious thinkers, community members, and life-long stewards of the natural world. 

Through hands-on activities, exploration, movement, and play, we support children's curiosity and wonder using our wildlife sanctuaries as outdoor classrooms.

A group of preschoolers at Drumlin Farm Community Preschool walk away along a forest trail with their teachers leading the way
Drumlin Farm Community Preschool © Emily Haranas

Licensed Nature Preschools

What could be more magical than a preschool where each child's innate connection to nature is celebrated? Each nature preschool provides opportunities for young children to learn through hands-on, nature-based experiences that address their developmental needs as they explore the varied habitats at our wildlife sanctuaries.

A preschool-age child holds up a woody mushroom she found to the camera, at Drumlin Farm Nature Preschool
© Patrick Rogers

Public Preschool Programs

See All

In addition to our licensed nature preschools, many of our wildlife sanctuaries around the state also offer weekly public programs for preschool-age children. These programs give preschoolers a chance to explore the outdoors with enthusiastic classmates and educators, discovering nature close to home in the fall, winter, and spring.

See All
Three children at Drumlin Farm Community Preschool blowing seeds from dandelion flowers with their arms around each other
Drumlin Farm Community Preschool © Emily Haranas

Professional Development and Resources

Mass Audubon offers resources and professional development opportunities for early educators. Learn to make the outdoors into a relaxed and safe classroom for your students. Our preschool programs encourage curiosity and wonder through hands-on nature exploration, movement, and play—a tradition we've upheld for nearly 100 years.

Learn More