Children Age 0-5

Daycare, Preschool, School and After-School List

Find the latest list of daycares, preschools, and after-school programs here.   Register early for daycares and preschools, sometimes even in January/February to start in September!

• Applications for the lottery for the ABRSD Early Childhood Program (Public Preschool) generally open at the beginning of January, and are typically due in the first half of February, for the following fall. 

Find more info on childcare assistance in the "Cost Savings Programs" tab of this webiste.

Early Intervention

If you suspect that your child has a developmental delay or needs specialized programs: 

• ages 0-3 : Minuteman Arc provides free screening and evaluation (no insurance needed)!  You can call their Early Intervention Office at 978-287-7950 or click here to make an appointment for an evaluation

• ages 3-5 : Contact Joseph Gibowicz, Early Childhood Coordinator at jgibowicz@abschools.org.  More information here.

• older children : contact your child's teacher or the school's Special Education Coordinator (see contact list here - section "Who to Contact and How to Connect")

Get Ready for Kindergarten!

You can find First Connection's newsletter for parents with a child entering Kindergarten in fall here.

Fill in  this form to get similar future newsletters in your email .

Local town, school, and non-profit organizations for families with children aged 0-5

• The Macaroni Kid website lists local activities and events here.

• First Connections : For families with children birth to age 6.  

  • Groups for new parents, postpartum depression, anxiety, diaper pantry, (multi-lingual) playgroups and more.   free.

  • First Connections' Quarterly Newsletter has info on local (free) events and activities for families with children (all ages).   You can find it here (Scroll down, under "At a Glance") 

• Acton-Boxborough Family Network

  • Service, and cultural opportunities for families and their young children ages 0-8.    Our members live in Acton, Boxborough, and many neighboring towns.  If the membership fee is a hardship for any family, ABFN offers a reduced or waived fee. Direct them to contact membership@abfamily.org. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

• Community Playground List

• AB Community Ed   (programs, also reservation of school buildings and facilities)

• Acton Recreation Department (including Nara Park & Beach and Camp Acton where you can go camping)    Register for programs

• Boxborough Recreation Department organizes summer programs and some youth sports

• Discovery Museum  

  • A hands-on museum for children and their caregivers that blends science, nature, and play.  Fully accessible campus and giant treehouse, free events for families with disabilities, at-home STEAM activities (available online in 6 languages), free adult speaker events, grandparents blog, discount library passes, and more!   $1 admission fee for EBT/WIC cardholder and up to 5 additional guests. 

• All 3 libraries (Acton Memorial Library,  Boxborough Sargent Memorial Library , West Acton Citizen's Library) are free and open to residents of any town.  All 3 have many programs for children.  They also have a growing number of non-English books and audiobooks.

• Doli Atamian Campership Program - grants for summer camps and beach passes

• Acorns to Oaks Horsemanship Center aims to provide a place that fosters positive physical and mental health for people and horses by providing equine-assisted learning and community events, horseback riding lessons and boarding.

Town Sports

AB Youth Hockey Learn to Skate starts at age 2 and AB Youth Soccer at age 4.  See the page Children Age 5-18 section "Town Youth Sports Websites" for more details.

Activities to do at home 

•  Discovery Museum list of at-home activities to do with kids

• AB Transition to School Resources

• Acton library children's story times and activities on YouTube Channel

• Boxborough Library craft instruction videos 

Parental Hotline and Parenting Groups

• Parental Stress Hotline-Call 1-800-632-8188 (available 24/7 in all languages)

• Wayside Virtual Parent Groups: for parents and young adults ages 16-25

• In Acton : Free New Parenting Groups, Post Partum Depression Support etc.

• Free Parenting Groups: Parents of multiples, Ages 1-3, for Spanish Speakers, and more

• 4-Week Parenting Groups: for kids <7, for Exec. Functioning, Reducing Anxiety, and more 

• Parents Helping Parents Groups: various online support groups for parents

Car Seats

• Find general information about carseats and child's passenger safety at this CDC website

• Find the right car seat for your child based on age, height and weight at nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat  

• Follow these tips to install your carseat