Program Details

Schedule

The program year runs alongside the typical school-year, from mid-September through early June. Schedule options for the preschool are Monday/ Wednesday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, Tuesday/Thursday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Kindergarten runs Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. 

Each day, we will provide a farm-prepared healthy and hearty snack, using Wright-Locke Farm produce when possible. Holidays will follow the Winchester Public Schools schedule. Closings will depend on travel and farm conditions. Preschool: twelve students/class; co-taught by 2 teachers. Kindergarten: 8 students co-taught by 2 teachers.

Student Eligibility (2026-2027)

• M/W, M/W/F, T/Th, T/Th/F: Children must be 3-5 years old (between 36 and 60 months by June 1, 2026).
• Monday-Friday Kindergarten: Children must be 5 as of September 1, 2026.
• It is helpful for children to be able to use the bathroom independently.

Please note: Forest Friends differs from traditional preschool programs and may not be suitable for all students. To ensure that students will flourish in our program, we meet with parents/guardians and the student(s) on the farm prior to the application process.

Licensing

Forest Friends is licensed as a large group program by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Application Information

2026-2027
The 2026-2027 Application process is complete.
For more information, please reach out to ForestFriends@wlfarm.org

2026-2027 Tuition

• Two-day sessions (M/W or T/Th): $7,200
• Three-day session (M/W/F or T/Th/F): $10,800
• Forest Kindergarten (M-F): $16,000

For any questions, please inquire at ForestFriends@WLFarm.org.

Financial Assistance

The Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy believes that all students deserve high-quality early education. For this reason, we have privately funded need-based scholarships available for our participants. A financial aid form will be attached to each application. 

Forest Friends also works with the state of Massachusetts for state-funded child care financial assistance programs (childcare vouchers). Please do not hesitate to reach out to learn more.

Please contact ForestFriends@WLFarm.org to learn more.

Payment Schedule

Program Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is due upon enrollment in the Forest Friends program. This deposit will count as your June 2026 payment.

Tuition Payments: Tuition payments are due on the 15th of each month for the upcoming month, August-May.

We recognize that this payment plan may not work for everyone, so if you would like to request an alternative payment plan, please email ForestFriends@WLFarm.org.

 

Any questions, please do not hesitate to email ForestFriends@wlfarm.org.

Thank you for your interest in our forest school!