Elisabeth Amen Nursery School

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Now enrolling for the 2023-24 school year! For more information or to schedule a tour of our newly-renovated classrooms, please contact Christine LaFrancois at (508) 285-8220 / lafrancois_christine@wheatoncollege.edu.

The Elisabeth Amen Nursery School at Wheaton College offers children opportunities to experiment, discover and grow with curiosity and confidence, with a focus on play-based learning and outdoor exploration. Located on the picturesque campus of Wheaton College, the school offers special venues for exploration and learning, such as apple orchards, nature trails, a fishing pond, performance spaces and a gymnasium.

Programming options

We offer four programs, including half-day, full-day and extended-day options. The school year runs from September through June and follows the Norton Public School calendar as closely as possible.
Learn more about our Programs and Enrollment options

Contact us

If you would like to enroll your child in the Elisabeth Amen Nursery School or schedule a tour to learn more about our programs, please contact us at:

Elisabeth Amen Nursery School
Wheaton College
26 East Main Street
Norton, MA 02766

Program Coordinator
Christine LaFrancois
508-285-8220
lafrancois_christine@wheatoncollege.edu

Facebook: @WheatonPreschool

What makes us unique?

The Elisabeth Amen Nursery School is affiliated with Wheaton College’s Psychology and Education departments and has been a site for child study and research since 1931. With this connection, children benefit from expert guidance by teachers and college professors actively working in the fields of child development and early childhood education. We believe that children learn best through exploration and hands-on learning, in an environment designed to safely provoke critical thinking and problem solving. We encourage each child’s natural desire to learn through rich language and literature experiences and exploration of their interests. We introduce early learning concepts and skills through developmentally appropriate opportunities and lots of play.

Learn more about us

Programs & Enrollment FAQs Staff

About our staff

Our half-day and full-day programs feature very low teacher-child ratios (1:5 or 1:6).
All of our staff members hold master’s or bachelor’s degrees.
Our teachers and teaching assistants are fully certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and trained in First Aid and CPR.
We also employ college students who are interested in pursuing careers in education or other related fields to assist in the classroom each semester.

What our families say

Warm, welcoming and nurturing

“The Elisabeth Amen Nursery School is a warm, welcoming and nurturing preschool with a dedicated, talented and highly educated staff that immediately draws you in and treats you like family. It’s a place that encourages individuality, uniqueness and friendship while also embracing challenges head-on and in a customized way. But it’s so much more. It’s more than a school, it’s a preschool that prepares its students—and their parents—for life beyond its four walls, through educational tools, emotional support and a positive approach to education driven by its students.”

— Amanda Griffith

A true appreciation for children

“The staff members have a true appreciation for children. It is evident that they genuinely love what they do, and they have a unique talent for making each child feel special. Kindness, curiosity, problem-solving, and fun are all embedded into the daily routine. My son had an amazing two years and made so much growth socially. He loved going to school simply because it was a comfortable, predictable and safe environment where he could be himself and grow and learn at his own pace. Sending him to this school is by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

— Pam Jenson

Play, exploration and socialization

“My daughter’s two years at the Elisabeth Amen Nursery School have been absolutely incredible and pivotal in her child development. There was no other choice in preschool for us, as parents and educators, because their core values line up with ours—preschool is a time for play, exploration and socialization. Our daughter was a quiet girl when she started, and to see her interacting with the peers and adults in such an outgoing and comfortable way is really heartwarming for us.”

— Sarah and Eric

Strong foundational skills

“We cannot say enough about our children’s experiences at the Elisabeth Amen Nursery School. The variety of activities they have participated in has provided them with strong foundational skills. Being on a college campus has afforded them with so many unique opportunities that they would not have received anywhere else. We could not have asked for a more nurturing or educational experience for this time in our children’s lives.”

— Amy and Kevin Schleicher