Mr. John's Neighborschool

The vision for this daycare was born out of the difficult experience of my own childhood. Being asked to sit still in a classroom for several hours a day was the opposite of my instinct to play in nature. I could hardly wait for recess to go explore rocks and trees and find peace and a feeling of being at home in the natural rhythms of the New England seasons.

I didn't want my daughter to have the same experience. So I sought to create an environment that was inspired by Montessori principles and Nature School principles. The goal is for children to be self-guided in their discovery of themselves as a part of the natural world. The curriculum and design of the space creates little separation between nature and the learning experience of the children. This allows them to freely engage in the mystery of nature and cultivates the wonder that all children naturally possess.

This means there is absolutely no technology or screens and much of the day is spent exploring the outdoors. The area is filled with mature oak trees, large rocks, hills, moss, and different types of plants. There is also an abundance of wildlife, from many species of birds to squirrels and chipmunks and even a family of groundhogs that lives on the premises (my daughter squeals with delight when she sees them).

The indoor area is adorned with trees, woodland animals and is inspired by Native American culture which is part of my ancestry. In fact, the Massachusett tribe lived in this area at Pine Banks Park. Part of the curriculum is for children to go there and experience the sacred connection to nature that has been lost in modern society.

In summary, Oak Haven Daycare is designed to enable children to learn by freely exploring the wonders and mysteries of the natural world.

What is NeighborSchools?

NeighborSchools helps experienced caregivers launch and operate licensed home daycares in Massachusetts. With better ratios and experienced caretakers, home daycare allows for more individualized attention for infants and toddlers. As a parent, you get a trusted partner for the long-term care of your child, right in your neighborhood, at a price you can afford.