nursery school
now enrolling for
2026–2027
Are you ready to enroll your child in an exceptional nursery school program? Welcome to First Circle’s Nursery School (formerly Chestnut Children’s Center), a nurturing and engaging environment for your preschooler or prekindergartener. Serving the Needham community for more than 25 years, our nursery school gives young children their first opportunity to learn in a structured environment while making friends! At First Circle, your child will learn through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences.
Why choose First Circle’s nursery school for your child?
Every child is unique and has their own way of learning, so our curriculum is flexible and adapts to your child’s interests and abilities. Our mission is to foster their innate curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Foster self-confidence and independence:
Nursery school builds your child’s self-confidence and independence. This allows your child to develop confidence in themselves and their own abilities, as they tackle a variety of tasks and learn their way in the world as their own person.
Prepare your child for school:
Preschoolers are enthusiastic and active learners, ready to learn new concepts and stretch their cognitive skills and imagination. They are eager to expand their worlds through language, problem-solving, imaginative play, artistic endeavors, and scientific investigations.
Build social skills:
Nursery school is a wonderful place for making friends, with lots of other children on the same exciting new adventure of starting school. Attending nursery school allows children to have a greater understanding of the outside world, as they mix with other children outside of their family unit and learn about other people’s feelings, cultures, and ways of life.
IN NURSERY SCHOOL, CHILDREN:
accomplish
new physical milestones
learn to say
thank you and please
learn self-help
skills and to be a helper
learn to use their words to express their feelings
practice
following rules while developing independence
learn math concepts and how to count
explore
their creativity
in art
develop citizenship, respect, and helpfulness
our program
preschool
The preschool program is open to children who are three years old by August 31 of the school year they wish to enroll.
AVAILABLE SCHEDULES:
up to 5 days
HOURS:
8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
EXTENDED-DAY OPTION:
based on availability
prekindergarten
The prekindergarten program is open to children who are four years old by August 31 of the school year they wish to enroll.
AVAILABLE SCHEDULES:
up to 5 days
HOURS:
8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
EXTENDED-DAY OPTION:
based on availability
curriculum
our classrooms
our teaching team
interested in learning more? come visit us!
School starts in September approximately one week after the Needham Public Schools begin. The year ends the first week in June. The nursery school follows the Needham Public Schools calendar with a few exceptions.