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Where Curiosity & Joyful Learning Begin
At Applewild Preschool, we provide a warm, nurturing environment where children aged 18 months to 5 years embark on a journey of discovery, creativity, and growth.
At both our Fitchburg main campus and our Devens satellite location, we offer a year-round program with flexible scheduling options to support busy families. Preschool and Pre-K children can attend half-day or full-day programs two, three, or five days per week, while our toddler program provides a full-day experience, five days a week.
Guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we believe children are naturally curious, capable learners whose interests and ideas shape their educational experiences.
Build Social Skills
Grow Creativity
Develop Healthy Habits
Explore Nature
Discover ConnectionsOur hands-on, inquiry-based approach encourages exploration through open-ended art projects, sensory play, nature walks, music, movement, gardening, and collaborative building activities. Each day, children engage in meaningful, joyful learning experiences that foster self-expression, confidence, and a lifelong love of discovery.
The Emergent Curriculum
We encourage questions and discovery by providing “provocations,” in which materials or ideas are thoughtfully presented to evoke children’s natural fascination with their surroundings. With art projects that encourage creativity and loose-parts play that allows students to explore new materials with no defined set of directions, we give children the tools and guidance necessary to learn through their own discoveries.
Our Outdoor Classroom provides a unique, carefully planned learning environment rich with opportunities for child-initiated interactive discovery, including a mud kitchen, loose parts for open-ended play, and a space to create music with real, found, and created instruments. The Outdoor Classroom enhances children’s learning through an authentic connection with the natural world while affording the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of childhood.
A Foundation for Kindergarten success
Applewild’s Pre-K program nurtures the whole child by balancing social-emotional growth with early academic and self-care skills. Through play-based learning and activities inspired by children’s interests, we create a dynamic environment where curiosity thrives. Our dedicated faculty fosters independence, encouraging children to follow directions, share, and manage emotions while building early literacy and math foundations. With a focus on hands-on exploration, fine and gross motor development, and essential self-care skills, we ensure a smooth and confident transition to kindergarten.
Our Community
While some families choose Applewild for their entire Preschool through Middle School experience, others choose our Preschool as an exceptional foundational bridge to other elementary education.
A Vibrant Day and Boarding School
Applewild K-9 students learn in a dynamic global community with peers from 33 towns and several states and countries. We empower students to discover their passion for learning and pursue excellence in academics, arts, and athletics in our supportive environment.
Our Core Values
Respect | Fairness | Responsibility | Compassion | Cooperation | Honesty | Civic-Mindedness
Preschool at Fitchburg:
Located in the Marshall Building, our charming preschool classrooms offer a nurturing and engaging learning space all their own. Here, children explore the beloved “Tree Garden” outdoor classroom, splash through puddles on campus walks, and experience being a part of the larger school community during all-school meetings.
Inquire to Learn More About Applewild Preschool
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Preschool at Devens:
Where children explore their curiosities!
From the Dale Chiluly-inspired sculpture tower in the art studio, to the community garden in our Outdoor Classroom and our yoga studio right in the heart and center of our space, you’ll know you’ve arrived at a very special place. Whether exploring their “power words” as part of a reading and writing exploration or tapping to the beat on drums, our students are active, lively, and engaged in learning throughout the day.
Applewild Preschool
2025-2026 Tuition and Fees FULL YEAR (Jul 1 - Jun 30)
Effective: July 1st, 2025
| Full Day (9 Hours) | Core Day (6.5 Hours) | Morning Program (3 Hours) 8:30am-11:30am | |
|---|---|---|---|
5 Days M/Tu/W/Th/F | $15,435 Yearly | $13,230 Yearly | $9,065 Yearly |
| $1,286 Monthly* | $1,102 Monthly* | $755 Monthly* | |
3 Days M/W/F | $11,515 Yearly | $9,800 Yearly | $7,840 Yearly |
| $960 Monthly* | $817 Monthly* | $653 Monthly* | |
2 Days Tu/Th | $8,330 Yearly | $7,350 Yearly | $6,860 Yearly |
| $694 Monthly* | $613 Monthly* | $572 Monthly* |
Hourly Rate: $20 (For extra scheduled hours)
Toddler Room Fee:
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM, 5 Days Only: $19,600 Yearly, $1,633 Monthly*
*Average monthly fee- actual bills vary by number of weeks in each month.
Please Note: Families are billed monthly in advance for the number of weeks in the coming month. Most months are four weeks, 4 times per year there are five weeks in a month.
Sherri Ebner has been in the Early Childhood field for 40 years, she has taught Kindergarten, Toddlers, Preschool and Pre-K during her career. Sherri has been an Early Childhood Director for 30 years and was the consultant who assisted Applewild in starting and growing our Deven's satellite site. Sherri enjoys the beach, island hoppings off the coast of Portland Maine, shell collecting, and hiking.
Valerie has been in the early childhood field for over 15 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Education and Care from UMASS Amherst, and holds her EEC certification. Valerie has experience with infants, toddlers, preschool, pre-k and school aged children, as well as being a program coordinator, and experience as both an assistant director, and a director of a licensed program. She is the assistant director of our Deven’s location. In her free time, Valerie enjoys watching both of her son’s extracurricular activities, and spending time with her family and friends.
Debbie has been with Applewild Preschool at the Deven's location for three years as a floater teacher. Deborah is a former Montessori Preschool Teacher and has 20 years of experience with young children. She has a 21 year old daughter attending Wheaton College. Together they love hiking and baking. They recently adopted a kitten and named her Penelope.
Jennifer DiCesare joined the Applewild in 2023 and teaches PreK with her co-teacher Carolyn. She received both her BA in French with a minor in Spanish as well as her MAT from Union College. She began her career teaching middle school French and Spanish and helped at a local preschool during her summers off before she had children. During that time she realized how much she enjoyed spending time with preschool aged children and earned her early childhood certification. Her own children are now 20 and 18 and after many years she decided to switch gears and return to education. She loves laughing, singing songs, and dancing with her young friends. In her spare time this Dunstable resident loves being outdoors- hiking and walking her dog, Dolce, baking, trying new coffee shops/bakeries with her husband, and escaping to the White Mountains.
Erin joined the Applewild Devens campus in 2018 bringing with her 15 years of experience working with children aged 3-12 and a bachelor's degree from Franklin Pierce College. She embraces the joy in children's passion for discovery and creating as she has focused on preschool and elementary art education for the past four years. She loves spending time outdoors with her ten year old daughter, husband and dog when she's not up-cycling found items into art.
Nicole began teaching prekindergarten at Applewild in 2020 and is currently in her 13th year of educating. She earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley with a focus on child and adolescent psychology, as well as, continued coursework from SCSU. Nicole is a dedicated educator who infuses curriculum based teaching with Reggio Emilia style teaching to create dynamic learning environments inside and outside the classroom; preparing students academically and socially for their next chapters. In her free time Nicole loves to travel to new places, learn new skills around the house, and spend time with family.
This is Miss Tiffanys second-year teaching at Applewild and her twelfth year of teaching Early Childhood Education! She works alongside the sweet Miss Yufi in their Preschool B classroom. She's taught both toddlers and preschool, but preschool is her jam! She loves making memories each day with her students, especially through sensory and nature! She lives locally with her husband Tyler; whom she just got married to this past August! She has a dog named Ollie and a kitten named Lavender. Tiffany finds Applewild to be her perfect fit as she believes children should be children in their early childhood years and learn through play and their interests!
Miss Tabitha is on her second year of teaching at Applewild School at the Devens campus. This year she has taken on the wonderful world of pre-k. With 24 years of early education experience and a Bachelors degree n Early Education as well as working with infants to Kindergartners to being Director, she is excited for this next school year. Sprinkled with lots of love, fun, and creativity she cannot wait to see what is in store for all. When she isn’t in the classroom Miss Tabitha spends her weekends seeking new adventures to embark on or finding a peak to climb, crafting and creating, and of course, spending time with her family.
Madelyn Dame is a first year Preschool teacher at Applewild. She has a degree in Educational studies from Fitchburg State University and a Human Services degree from Mount Wachusett Community College. She previously worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Lunenburg for 5 years and as a paraprofessional in a 4th grade class in the Fitchburg Public School System. In her free time she enjoys, making bracelets, coloring, and spending time with her friends and family.
Yulia Dirik is in her second year teaching preschool at Applewild. She has a varied work background, including working as a midwife, but is passionate about teaching. Originally from Indonesia, Yulia previously taught languages to adults and now enjoys teaching Early Childhood Education. She lives on campus and loves watching movies, taking pictures, cooking, and spending time with her puppy and her husband Devin.
Karen is a preschool teacher with over 30 years experience. Karen’s passion and presence in the education community has had a profound impact in the lives of many children and families. She has a degree in Early Childhood , Human Services and Psychology. Karen worked for many years in the Fitchburg Public Schools and for the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance SNAP Program. In her free time, Karen enjoys time with her family, friends, outdoors, hiking, gardening, and camping.
Libby is a Preschool teacher bringing in 5 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Throughout the couple of years teaching she has worked with all age groups infant to 5 years of age. For a short time Libby took a little over a year break to adventure in the Veterinary field to become a Veterinary Assistant working with dogs, cats, and exotic small animals! Her passion and love for children is what brings her most joy and brought her back to her roots. In her spare time Libby enjoys coloring, spending time with her family, and baking sweets! Working in a Reggio Emilia inspired setting has brought so much inspiration and uniqueness to her teaching style!
Miss Julia started at Applewild in November 2023, as a Toddler Teacher, and has 10 years of teaching experience. She earned her A.S. for Early Childhood Education from MWCC and is working on her B.A. in Early Elementary Education, online through UMass. In her free time, Julia spends time with her boyfriend, their dogs, family, and friends. She relaxes by being surrounded by nature and going for hikes, and also by creating and crafting. Julia has a strong passion and love for teaching young children, and she and her co-teacher, Miss Deona, both bring that passion into their Toddler B Classroom, where they use the world around their toddlers to spark creativity and a love for learning.
Trinace Nichols is the Preschool Teacher at Applewild and brings with her 30 years of experience the field of Early Childhood Education. Throughout her career she has taught multiple age groups ranging from Infancy through Kindergarten. In her spare time, Trinace enjoys museum exhibits, going to the theater and spending time with her family.
Emma Pepin is a recent 2024 graduate from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. Throughout her four years in Early Childhood Education, she was able to earn her EEC Certification. During her externship senior year at Applewild, Emma earned her Child Development Associate Credential. She is currently in her freshman year at Mount Wachusett Community College to further her education as a preschool teacher. Emma has two fluffy cats named Bailey and Bandit. She loves reading and can often be found at Barnes & Noble or her local library!
Robert is a Preschool Teacher at Applewild and has loved for the last several years learning and teaching multiple different ages. Prior to becoming an educator Rob was a professional Chef for several restaurants along the east coast, ranging from Charleston, SC to NYC to Boston. Outside of Applewild and teaching Rob is a sports nut and trains in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Associates degree in Human Services, Mount Wachusett Community college. Several years of working with inpatient clients in the behavioral health setting. Middlesex Community College evening classes in Early Childhood Ed., 2012-2014. EEC Lead Pre-School & Pre-K certification 2015, 6 years of preschool teacher experience. Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate Mount Wachusett Community College May 2019. I really enjoy working with young children and watching them learn so many things in the classroom!
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