Nature-lovers, Young Artists, Curious Children
Inspiring creativity , exploration, and a love of learning in a nurturing environment.
Little Hands, Big Moments
Discover NYACC Preschool
Nature-Lovers
Whether you grew up in a suburb, on a farm, or in a big city, you probably spent a lot of time playing outside, getting dirty, and coming home happy. Maybe you watched ants making anthills in your backyard, climbed trees or simply lay in the grass contemplating the drifting clouds. Research suggests that a connection to nature is biologically innate and as humans, we have an affinity for the natural world. When a child is out in nature, all the senses get activated. Children are immersed in something bigger than themselves, rather than focusing narrowly on one thing. They are seeing, hearing, touching, even tasting. Out in nature, a child's brain has the chance to rejuvenate, so the next time they have to focus and pay attention they'll do better. Natural play- based learning with plenty of outdoor open space and imaginative indoor areas is an ideal learning environment.
NYACC operates out of a 4600 sf dwelling with lots of bright sunshine, different rooms for learning including the kitchen for seasonal cooking class, and as many outdoor activities as New England weather will allow. The property itself boasts over an acre of land that includes natural woods, forest, meandering streams and blooming flower beds. Exploring backyard weeds, bugs, rocks and plants, short walks and long hikes in the neighborhood offer more opportunities to learn and grow. Children count mailboxes, spot fire hydrants, practice crossing the street and work on mastering life skills.
Approach
Nature-lovers. Young Artists. Curious Children; NYACC is a private , FULL DAY, Reggio Emilia enrichment learning program for preschool children ages 2-6 and precocious toddlers. Located in the beautiful countryside in Rowley, MA, offering Early Education, Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten compliant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts EEC / DESE.
At NYACC, your child is taught kindness as an extension of your own home values and rich outreach to others. Children work together while simultaneously expanding self esteem and form long lasting friendships. The outdoor classroom further extends a myriad of teachable moments throughout every season and encourages social engagement in our beautiful world.
Young Artists - Curious Children
Young Artists - Curious Children
Art , drama and imaginative play all assist in molding a child's emotional and intellectual development over the long term. Their imagination is key to unlocking logic and effective reasoning skills they'll use later in life. When children learn to listen and respect each other in group activities, they are practicing patience, self control, self regulation. Projects promote listening to direction and what consequentially happens when you don't. Fine motor skills are exercised through use of manipulatives and lateral thinking is a happy side effect when children engage their natural curiosity.
Arts and crafts also offer opportunities to expand language and communication as children are often excited to talk about their creations. Traditional prop free games like duck duck goose and red light green light engage their curious developing minds and offer more opportunities for group engagement and peer respect.
Reggio Emilia
Young Artists - Curious Children
The Reggio Way
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It was developed after World War II by a teacher, Loris Malaguzzi, and parents in the villages around Reggio Emilia in Italy. Following the war, people believed that children were in need of a new way of learning. The assumption of Malaguzzi and the parents was that people form their own personality during early years of development and that children are endowed with "a hundred languages" through which they can express their ideas. The aim of this approach is teaching how to use these symbolic languages (eg., painting, sculpting, drama) in everyday life. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children.
Program
Multi Age Mixed Group
Every child is unique and NYACC believes that success and growth come from encouragement and praise in its full day program. The focus is on building every child’s self esteem and confidence through positive feedback and rewards. The small sized group includes a mix of ages and class size ratios never exceed 1:8 ensuring attention is given to each and every child. This allows for peer teaching, broad social interactions, individual differences in learning style and pace, and creates a social community of family. It provides the youngest students with role models and the older students with peer teaching opportunities for reinforcement of learning, enhancing your child's natural strengths while encouraging children's natural curiosity.
Children may attend for a minimum of one day per week if openings allow. For continuity two days is recommended. Sessions are offered during the school year. Upon enrollment, your child’s desired schedule is finalized prior to the first day of the school year. Rolling admission is offered based on a wait list system that you are encouraged to join. If summer camps are being offered , announcements happen prior to the last day of the academic year and may run for four to six weeks.
Early Education Age 20 Months to 2.9 Years
Eager early learners are welcome at NYACC. At 20 Months the gentle Reggio approach introduces a daily routine alongside their older peers. The primary goal at this stage is to simply socialize, gain confidence and have fun while offering plenty of opportunities to join in group enrichment classes.
Preschool Age 2.9- 5 Years
Beginning at age 3, children start softly preparing toward kindergarten readiness. The program is designed to be both fun and nurturing and includes STEM, reading and writing and phonics practice. Pre-K assignments and academic progress is tracked. Enrichment classes may include cooking, movement/yoga, music, art, and Spanish. There is continued support on growing children's social-emotional development and encouraging creativity and curiosity. Organic play still plays a major role in harnessing these fundamental and necessary skills and is the foundation for growth.
Transitional Kindergarten Age 5- 5.5 Years
Building on the academic structure learned during preschool years, transitional kindergarten bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten and hones in on necessary skills needed to pass MKEA : Massachusetts Kindergarten Entry Assessment. School age children who have missed the September cutoff for kindergarten will benefit in daily practice to achieve invaluable social, emotional and beginning academic skills necessary to succeed in their educational future.
Kindergarten Age 5 - 6 Years
Kindergarten at NYACC includes daily literacy practice, phonetic learning , improved fine motor skills in writing and understanding basic principles in mathematics and ELA. Freeplay and enrichment learning remain the heart of the program while still implementing the tools needed to achieve academic readiness. Kindergarteners individual strengths begin to emerge at this stage of learning while continuing to build social emotional development.
Teachers
MEET THE CHILDREN'S LEAD EDUCATOR/DIRECTOR - Miss Ana
Miss Ana (Ana Hammond), is a devoted mom of two children. Her past professional career as an Architectural Interior Designer (IIDA, AIA) and published Cookbook Author lends itself uniquely to an enriching, creative curriculum. Ana holds current continuing education in Early Childhood Development as required by EEC and includes additional course work specific to the Reggio Emilia approach. Her teacher to student ratio (8:1 ) ensures each child gets the attention they deserve and frequently incorporates One on One to hone in on lessons. Ana has an affinity for nature and cultural inclusiveness that's expressed in her organic play-based school. Geared to children ages 2-6 and welcoming precocious toddlers, NYACC is EEC licensed in Massachusetts and offers exceptional Early Education, Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten.
Admissions
Enrollment
Enrollment at NYACC runs from September to June and follows the Triton Regional School District academic calendar, with minor adjustments. Rolling admission is also offered and based on a wait list system you are encouraged to join. CONTACT for more details .
Sessions are full days only, with drop-off at 8:30 AM and dismissal at 2:30 PM. Your child may attend a minimum of one day per week, based on availability, though two consecutive days are recommended for continuity.
Tuition remains competitive with private preschool programs in the area, while offering exceptional value in a thoughtfully designed, enriching environment. NYACC is proud to support families with a dedicated focus to childhood joy and academic growth, as reflected in the genuine parent’s testimonials on Facebook and across social media.
Academic Year Tuition Schedule
September – June
Program Hours: Mon-Thu, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- 1 Day per Week — $78 per week / approx. $312 per month
- 2 Days per Week — $156 per week / approx. $624 per month
- 3 Days per Week — $234 per week / approx. $936 per month
- 4 Days per Week — $312 per week / approx. $1,248 per month
Tuition Includes:
- Reggio Emilia, EEC licensed Massachusetts-compliant curriculum
- Enrichment classes; movement, yoga, music, art, drama, STEAM, Spanish, seasonal cooking, literacy building experiences in reading, writing, phonics, and speech
- Outdoor exploration materials and seasonal supplies for hands-on creative learning
- Access to Private Parent Portal to view highlights from your child’s day
- Complimentary Back-to-School Portrait
- Complimentary Birthday hat or crown
- Exclusive access to OPTIONAL enhancements offering unique experiences that extend joy beyond the classroom
Support “The Kitchen” at NYACC
Why Your Support Matters
At NYACC, “The Kitchen” is more than just a space for preparing snacks, it’s where children stir, taste, measure, and learn. Cooking with young children nurtures their independence, builds fine motor skills, introduces early math and science, and connects them to their food in a hands-on, joyful way.
But as the cost of food continues to rise, keeping the kitchen stocked with ingredients and child-friendly tools has become increasingly difficult. Inflation has impacted everything from apples to aprons, and the small school budget can only stretch so far.
With your help, NYACC can continue offering meaningful culinary experiences that spark curiosity and confidence more often.
Your donation directly supports:
- Additional cooking classes for students
- High-quality, nutritious ingredients
- Kitchen tools designed for little hands
- Baking essentials and pantry staples
- Sensory exploration, food play
- Re-useable storage and sustainable supplies
Together, “The Kitchen” can remain open, inviting, and enriching for every child who walks through it.
Donate today to help feed curiosity and fuel childhood.
