Acton Barn Cooperative Preschool 32 Nagog Park, Acton, MA 01720

"We have been members of the Barn for the past year. As new members of the Acton-Boxborough community, we have loved having our preschool home at the Barn. The curriculum is play-based, the teachers are very nurturing, and the facility is lovely and inspires creative play. My daughter loves the climber inside and the play kitchen. The outdoor play area is so fun for the kids. As a cooperative preschool, my commitment is to work about once a month in the classroom."

"I cannot say enough wonderful things about the Barn, its teachers, and the school's community. We toured pretty much every preschool in town before choosing the Barn, which we loved immediately for its child-centric philosophy, gentle approach and small class sizes. Our kiddo was the youngest at the school when she started, and we were very concerned that her first school experience be positive. Nancy, Julia, Kathy and the other teachers are so dedicated, observant, nurturing and responsive! They really get to know the kids (it's amazing how much they notice even if they're only seeing your kid a few hours a week), and they really go to extraordinary lengths to work with every kid's needs and strengths. Our kiddo has had a very positive experience -- she just finished her first year, and by the last day was walking around like she owned the place!"

"We have been at the Barn for 2 children and several years now, with another child and several years to go. We could not be more happy with this school in every aspect. The cooperative model encourages such a sense of community and trust that is conveyed to the children and really puts everyone at ease, as well as giving everyone a chance to contribute and participate in the school. My children are always excited to tell me who the "parent helper" was that day, and they are so proud when it is time for one of their parents to help in the classroom. I was reassured to find a school that still emphasizes the many skills that children learn through play. My oldest child made a seamless transition to kindergarten from the Barn, a fact that I attribute to the confidence and social skills developed at the Barn, and my youngest cannot wait until it is his turn to go!"

"Both of my children have dearly loved The Barn and it's staff. It's nurturing environment has allowed my boys to develop socially, emotionally and creatively, while learning the skills to prepare them for Kindergarten. The Cooperative aspects allow you to volunteer your skills and interests, to benefit the school and it's families. I can't say enough about this school!!!"

"We have experienced this school through the eyes of our three daughters, and cannot say enough about the impact it has had on our family's life. The teachers are lovingly invested in the life of each student and it is felt as a ripple throughout the school community. In an age when many schools are shifting their focus to academics at an early age, the Barn continues to live by its philosophy of "Learning through Play." Also, two of our daughters have life-threatening allergies, and the procedures in place for snack and lunch guaranteed that our girls could enjoy snack with their friends safely and with confidence. (And taught us a great deal about how to navigate public dining experiences safely!) We feel confident that the two years each of our children have spent at the Barn will impact the rest of their learning and living; they are better people because of the warm and caring environment that nurtured them through their first years of schooling."