Boston Outdoor Preschool Network (BOPN)
Boston Outdoor Preschool Network locations across eastern Massachusetts (e.g., Arnold Arboretum, Pine Banks Park, Eustis Estate, Forbes House Museum, Wolbach Farm/SVT), 1087 Main St, Malden, MA 2148
About
Boston Outdoor Preschool Network offers nature-based early childhood education where children spend their days in exploration, engaging with nature, and playing with mixed age peers. Children explore thoughtfully selected materials, take part in Forest Days, and play and learn outdoors every day, rain or shine, through year-round nature immersive programming. Programs include hands-on outdoor education and activities that foster environmental stewardship, interest-led learning, inquiry-based teaching, and authentic play for toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergartners across eastern Massachusetts.
• Ages: 1–5 years old
Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on nature-based early childhood education, with programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergartners across eastern Massachusetts. The organization offers a variety of mixed-age programming for toddlers and preschoolers throughout the year, including Forest Days in partnership with local public schools and Boston’s first nature-based tuition-free program through Boston Pre-K at the Franklin Park Zoo, as well as the first free nature preschool at the zoo. BOPN is committed to expanding access to outdoor education through financial aid for tuition-based programs and through Equity Projects that work to create opportunities for children across Greater Boston and beyond.
BOPN’s mission is to meet the developmental needs of the whole child while fostering lifelong relationships with the natural world. The program was founded in 2019 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization and welcomed its first class of 12 children in September 2019. During the 2024–25 school year, BOPN served 612 children and their families. Co-Founders Sarah Besse and Shela Sinelien were recognized with the Boston University Young Alumni Award for their work to create innovative early education opportunities.
BOPN’s outdoor leaders are described as highly trained and experienced, and BOPN was founded by a diverse team of Masters-level female educators whose backgrounds include public schools, private schools, Montessori education, special education, and nature immersion. The organization is managed by a team of administrators, many of whom are also co-founders, teachers, and parents of BOPN children. BOPN has a friendly relationship with several partner organizations and has launched Forest Days in partnership with local public schools.
Parent testimonials describe children thriving, loving nature, building stamina, and making friendships, and note that children come home happy each day. Parents report that their children can name many flowers, mushrooms, and trees, and that they see growth in confidence, resiliency, autonomy, and independence connected to their outdoor school education. Families describe the teachers as thoughtful and phenomenal, say the program is well-run, and state that outdoor leaders are highly trained and experienced to offer this program to families in Boston.
Last updated January 25, 2026.
• Ages: 1–5 years old
Boston Outdoor Preschool Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on nature-based early childhood education, with programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergartners across eastern Massachusetts. The organization offers a variety of mixed-age programming for toddlers and preschoolers throughout the year, including Forest Days in partnership with local public schools and Boston’s first nature-based tuition-free program through Boston Pre-K at the Franklin Park Zoo, as well as the first free nature preschool at the zoo. BOPN is committed to expanding access to outdoor education through financial aid for tuition-based programs and through Equity Projects that work to create opportunities for children across Greater Boston and beyond.
BOPN’s mission is to meet the developmental needs of the whole child while fostering lifelong relationships with the natural world. The program was founded in 2019 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization and welcomed its first class of 12 children in September 2019. During the 2024–25 school year, BOPN served 612 children and their families. Co-Founders Sarah Besse and Shela Sinelien were recognized with the Boston University Young Alumni Award for their work to create innovative early education opportunities.
BOPN’s outdoor leaders are described as highly trained and experienced, and BOPN was founded by a diverse team of Masters-level female educators whose backgrounds include public schools, private schools, Montessori education, special education, and nature immersion. The organization is managed by a team of administrators, many of whom are also co-founders, teachers, and parents of BOPN children. BOPN has a friendly relationship with several partner organizations and has launched Forest Days in partnership with local public schools.
Parent testimonials describe children thriving, loving nature, building stamina, and making friendships, and note that children come home happy each day. Parents report that their children can name many flowers, mushrooms, and trees, and that they see growth in confidence, resiliency, autonomy, and independence connected to their outdoor school education. Families describe the teachers as thoughtful and phenomenal, say the program is well-run, and state that outdoor leaders are highly trained and experienced to offer this program to families in Boston.
Last updated January 25, 2026.
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