Program Details

Schedule

The program year runs alongside the typical school-year, from mid-September through early June. Schedule options are either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Participants 4 or older in either group may additionally join Fridays as space allows. We also have a Kindergarten that 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. Twelve students/class; co-taught by 2 teachers. 

Student Eligibility (2024-2025)

• M/W;T/Th: Children must be 3-5 years old, (between 36 and 6o months by June 1, 2024) for two days per week.
• Friday: Children must be 4 or 5 as of June 1, 2024.
• Monday-Friday Kindergarten: Children must be 5 as of September 1, 2024.
• 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

2025-2026
To receive an application, you and your child must attend a Group Tour. Once you have taken the tour, you will receive an application.
There is no application fee.
We will hold preschool lotteries until the classes are full starting in February. The Kindergarten is rolling admission until the class is full, starting in February.
For more information, please reach out to ForestFriends@wlfarm.org

Preschool & Kindergarten
Group Tour Schedule for 2025-2026 Applicants
Participation in a Group Tour is mandatory for all new families. (Returning families are not required to participate in a Group Tour.) We prefer that your child accompany you for the tour.
Please RSVP ForestFriends@wlfarm.org so we can send you more information. Please plan to have an adult and your child on the tour.

Friday, October 4, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Monday, December 2, 11:00-noon
Friday, January 10, 11:00-noon
Monday, January 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 5, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.