BOPN at the Franklin Park Zoo
We opened Boston’s first free nature preschool at the Franklin Park Zoo in September 2024 with support from Universal PreK, grants, and donations.
Admissions is through Universal PreK. Accepted families with questions about the program may email Morgan at upkzoo@bopn.org.
We follow Boston Public Schools’ Focus on PreK curriculum while cultivating an appreciation for our interdependence with plants and animals.
We instill respect for the earth while building character. From savannah and rainforests, to chameleons and giraffes, to mud puddles and robins, our preschool at the zoo empowers and inspires children to understand, appreciate, and protect the natural world.
Expanding Access
We are committed to expanding access to nature preschool. Natural Start Alliance reports:
“...despite their safety and effectiveness, nature preschools are not equally available to all children. White children are overrepresented in nature preschools, [while] dual language learners and children with disabilities are underrepresented. Disparities in access to high-quality education are widespread across the education system in the United States, and nature-based programs have not been the exception. In addition, children of color have less access to nature than white children, pointing to yet further injustice in bringing the benefits of nature to all children.”
We consider it a moral obligation to serve all children, regardless of families’ ability to pay tuition. Currently, over 30% of BOPN families receive full or partial scholarship. To further expand access, our preschool at the zoo is tuition-free through Universal PreK.
We are delighted to collaborate with the Franklin Park Zoo, and contribute to their goal of providing environmental education to families in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Program Basics
Ages served: K0 and K1 (age 3 or 4 by September 1st)
Number of children: starting with 20, with a goal to eventually expand to 40
Facilities: Yurts located between the Giraffe Savannah and the Tropical Forest building, plus access to zoo exhibit buildings
Tuition: none
Funding: Universal PreK (City of Boston), grants, and donations
