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About Us

Framingham Public Schools logo with a colorful 'F' symbol and the text 'Early Education' below.

Early Education Vision


As our students live in an increasingly globalized world, Framingham Public Schools, in collaboration with families and our community, will ensure that every child grows and thrives in our Early Education Program. Our interdisciplinary, culturally-responsive curriculum aims for all students to embrace diversity and be a valued member of their school community. Our goal is to support student growth by building their foundational social-emotional and academic skills through hands-on, play-based, shared learning experiences that foster confident, successful lifelong learners.

Pre-K Strategic Plan

Pre-K Enrollment Information for the 2026-2027 School Year

Framingham Public Schools continues its Pre-K expansion efforts by offering high-quality, equitable learning opportunities for children the year before Kindergarten. For the 2026–2027 school year, Pre-K programming will be available at six locations across Framingham.

School day hours are at no cost to families. For families who need additional care, tuition-based extended day options are available through our community partners and the FPS Department of Expanded Learning Time. Financial assistance is available at each location. Funding is limited and awards are based on availability.

*Enrollment is limited across all programs. If interest exceeds available seats, placement will be determined by a lottery on Thursday, January 15, 2026. *All intake forms submitted prior to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 will be entered in the lottery.

Pre-K enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year opens on Tuesday, December 23, 2026 by end of day.
Families may apply by completing the Pre-K Intake Form, available here on our Early Education webpage. 

District Programs offer a school-day experience at no cost to families.

District-Based Locations

School Day Programs offered

Monday- Friday

Cost

BLOCKS/Juniper Hill School

8:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

No Cost

McCarthy Elementary School

8:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

No Cost

Harmony Grove Elementary School

9:05 a.m.-2:20 p.m.

No Cost

 

District Programs offer a tuition-based extended day opportunity through the Department of Expanded Learning Time. This program takes place in designated areas of the school, such as the gym, cafeteria, or additional classrooms, and is led by Expanded Learning Time staff.

District-Based Locations

Extended Day Programs offered

Monday- Friday

Weekly Cost

BLOCKS/Juniper Hill School

8:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

$100.00

$160.00

McCarthy Elementary School

7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 

$160.00

Harmony Grove Elementary School

7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 

$160.00

 

Community-Partner Programs offer a tuition-based extended learning opportunity in partnership with families. Children remain in their assigned classroom with their teachers and classmates for the full day.

Community-Partner Locations

Full Day Programs offered

Monday- Friday

Weekly Cost

Framingham State University

7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

$160.00

$100.00

The Metrowest YMCA

7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 

$160.00

Loving Nest Preschool

7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

$160.00

*Schedules may shift before the lottery depending on family interest in available programs.

 

PreSchool Enrollment Information for the 2026-2027 School Year

Early Education at Framingham Public Schools offers Preschool learning opportunities at our BLOCKS/Juniper Hill School for children who will be 3 years old by August 31st. Enrollment is ongoing for 3 year old children who are identified to receive special education services.

*Enrollment is limited. If interest exceeds available seats, placement will be determined by a lottery on Thursday, January 15, 2026. *All intake forms submitted prior to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 will be entered in the lottery.

Preschool enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year opens on Tuesday, December 23, 2026 by end of day.
Families may apply by completing the Preschool Intake Form, available here on our Early Education webpage. 

District Programs offer a half-day experience at a cost to families.

District-Based Location

Half-Day Programs offered Monday-Friday

*Monthly Cost

BLOCKS/Juniper Hill School

8:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

$400.00

 

11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

$400.00

 

Contact Us

Christina Shea
Director of Early Education
508-782-6898

Eliza DeCarvalho
Family Support Coordinator 
508-782-6127

Kelly Napierski
BLOCKS/Juniper Hill- Early Education Coordinator
508-788-2380

Kaleb Smith
Principal at McCarthy Elementary
508-626-9161

Julie Gelardi
Principal at Harmony Grove Elementary
508-626-9164

 

 

Eliza DeCarvalho
Family Support Coordinator 
508-782-6127

Jackie Cueroni
Pre-K Social Emotional Behavior Coach
508-782-6312

Sarah Boudreau
Special Education Teacher
508-782-6731

2025–2026 Programs & Schedules

BLOCKS

BLOCKS logo

 

BLOCKS Preschool promotes a flexible atmosphere that considers children individually and as members of a group. Our program provides a variety of resources that address children's particular interests, needs and levels of development.

Learning through play, development of self-concept, the growth of language and respect for others will be fostered in order to maximize future school success. The ultimate goal of this program is to instill in children a curiosity about their world and a hunger to learn.

The general goals of our program include:

  • to develop children's understanding and use of language
  • to teach children the skills to explore, question and investigate
  • to develop early readiness and pre-academic skills
  • to foster children's self-esteem
  • to encourage children to work positively and effectively with others
  • to support the parents' role as a child's first teacher at home

 

Visit the BLOCKS website for information and to see school hours.

McCarthy Elementary School

McCarthy Elementary school M logo

Our staff is committed to ensuring a safe, caring, inclusive, and challenging environment in which your children will be actively engaged in, and taking ownership of, their own learning. We are also committed to challenging ourselves to model a growth mindset that we wish to instill in all members of our school community. We want our students to recognize that it is their effort, perseverance, and willingness to seek out learning opportunities that will determine their academic and social success. In addition, we will help students to respect themselves and others, to understand and appreciate differences, and to hold themselves to high standards. 

 

Visit the McCarthy website for information and to see school hours.

Harmony Grove Elementary School

Harmony Grove mascot

At Harmony Grove Elementary School, we celebrate our diversity. Harmony Grove provides an environment that develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who work to create a better peaceful world. Harmony Grove is committed to providing high quality, challenging, international education that nurtures active, open-minded, reflective and balanced life-long learners. These learners will respect themselves and others, empowering them to be empathetic, competent leaders in a diverse, global society.

Visit the Harmony Grove Elementary School website for information and to see school hours. 

 

Community Partners

Logo of FSU featuring a black and yellow circular design, symbolizing the company's identity and branding.

FSU

The Jeanne M. Canelli Child Development Lab offers quality early childhood education opportunities. The Child Development Lab also serves as a teaching laboratory for our University students interested in teaching young children and conducting research in child development, psychology, and sociology. The development of the whole child is fostered here in the lab, and emphasis is placed on meeting the needs of each child in a literacy-rich environment. We take advantage of our location on a university campus to enrich our curriculum with participation in programs and special events held on campus.

The Framingham State University Early Childhood Center is inclusive, welcoming children from different backgrounds and abilities in a learning community valuing the uniqueness of each child. The child-centered program emphasizes free play, socialization, creative expression, and exploration in a literacy-rich environment. The Early Childhood Center facilitates the child’s development of self as a unique and competent person, advances the child’s knowledge of the world, and maximizes the child’s potential in social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical developmental areas. Family engagement, communication, and collaboration to partner with parents are emphasized throughout our program.

Partnerships for Early Learners Classroom Hours 
School Day- Monday-Friday 8:15 AM- 2:45 PM
Full Day- Monday-Friday 7:30 AM- 5:30 PM

YMCA logo featuring a prominent 'Y' in the center, symbolizing community and youth engagement.

YMCA

The MetroWest YMCA Early Learning Center, Framingham, provides high quality early education and care to children ages 15 months through 5 years old. Our classes are designed to make your child feel safe and comfortable while learning, exploring, socializing and having fun. Activities at the Y are designed to put learning in the context of play and to celebrate the joys of learning and growing. They include gross motor and language activities, sensory experiences, creative expression, learning through hands-on exploration and acquisition of self-help skills. Our curriculum addresses each child’s developmental needs and interests and emphasizes the YMCA character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Partnerships for Early Learners Classroom Hours
School Day- Monday-Friday 8:15 AM- 2:15 PM
Full Day- Monday-Friday 7:30 AM- 6:00 PM

Logo for Loving Nest Preschool featuring a warm, inviting design that embodies care and nurturing for young children.

Loving Nest

At Loving Nest Preschool we believe that during the Preschool years, children develop characteristics that will affect their lifelong love of learning. Our main goal is to give children a solid emotional base, as well as pre-academic skills, in a caring, engaging and responsive environment.By playing, experimenting and exploring, they establish independence, self esteem and confidence. To obtain that goal, the classrooms are set up in centers, where the children go from one teacher directed activity to the other. We recognize that we live in a diverse community, with values, language and traditional customs. We embrace and support them and encourage the children to experience that diversity as well. We are a non-denominational faith-based school, and welcome children and families of all religious beliefs.

Partnerships for Early Learners Classroom Hours
Full Day- Monday-Friday 7:00 AM- 5:30 PM