The Nest

For students ages 4-6 years old

Touchstone Community School offers a full-day, play-based, early childhood program designed to inspire curiosity, empower learners, and invite engagement with the natural world. 


How to Apply

Enrollment open for the 2023-2024 school year!

 In the Nest, we seek to create a joyful, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment that emphasizes the growth of social skills, supports and strengthens emerging academic skills, and nourishes both independent and collaborative learning. Our outdoor classrooms and natural spaces offer learner-led opportunities for exploration and discovery.

A Day in the Nest

Students play, explore, wonder, investigate and participate in a variety of group activities. Each day unfolds uniquely in response to the rhythms of nature and individual and group interests and needs.

A typical day in the Nest may include outdoor free play, group meetings and discussions, art, music, physical education, and direct instruction to support emerging skills. Children have the opportunity to engage in dramatic play, sensory play, building, storytelling, exploring the natural world and more. 


At its heart, the Nest is a joyful learning community that supports students as they grow individually and as members of a group.

How to Apply
outdoor classroom hands-on nature based learning in grafton massachusetts

FAQs

Wondering if the Nest is a good fit for your family?

Browse the FAQs or click here to learn more.

  • Curriculum in the Nest

    The Nest curriculum is place-based and emergent. Our natural spaces serve as a starting point to teach concepts in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and other concepts across the curriculum. Activities and projects emerge from the children’s interests, needs, and skills.   



  • Outdoor Learning

    In the Nest, we embrace learning outdoors. The natural environment encourages creative and collaborative play, exploration, physical exercise, and authentic opportunities to solve problems and assess risks. Benefits of this engagement include improved balance, more developed muscle tone, sensory integration and awareness, and impulse control. Through their discoveries and interaction with nature, children learn to respect living things and grow in their understanding of our interdependence with nature. 

  • Social and Emotional Development in the Nest

    Children’s emotional development and social interactions are central to the Nest curriculum. We support individual growth and independence, while helping each child understand what it means to be a member of a community. Children develop the skills to live and play together in a joyful, respectful, and cooperative way. We support children as they learn how to balance friendships, to include others, and to resolve the conflicts that arise naturally during play. Teachers are highly skilled in supporting collaborative problem-solving among children.


  • Before and Afterschool Care

    As a busy parent, you want to ensure that your child is safe, happy, and well-cared for, even when you can't be there - that's why our before and after school care programs are designed with your family's needs in mind.


    Our Extended Early Morning Care Program is available from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. on regular school days. 


    Our Extended After Care Program is available from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on regular school days, Curriculum Days, and most Parent-Teacher Conference Days.


    Learn more about our extended day program here. 

  • 2022-23 Nest Schedule and Handbook

    Nest Schedule


    Nest Handbook

Apply Today