Admissions Schedule + Program Requirements

Mixed-Age Kindergarten 2026–27 Enrollment Update:

Our Mixed-Age Kindergarten Program is fully enrolled for the 2026–27 school year, and we are currently maintaining a waitlist.

Applications for the 2027–28 School Year Priority Application Period:

October 1 – November 30, 2026

Priority applications are accepted from current Westbrook families, alumni families, and families currently participating in our Parent-Child Program.

Please note that participation in our Parent-Child Program does not guarantee admission to our Mixed-Age Kindergarten. Due to our small class size and limited availability, we may not be able to accommodate every interested family.

Applications for the 2027–28 School Year General Community Application Period:

Starting December 1, 2026 applications from families new to the Westbrook community and general community will be accepted beginning December 1.

Important Application Information:

• A $100 non-refundable application deposit is required for new applicants.
• Families must indicate their first and second choices of schedule: three, four, or five days per week. We ask that families select two different options to help us accommodate enrollment requests.
• Applications received during the priority window are reviewed together, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Space is extremely limited due to the small size of our program. We encourage families to apply during their designated application period.
• A tour of our Mixed-Age Kindergarten Program is required before acceptance. To schedule a tour, please contact the office at info@westbrooknatureschool.org.
• Once enrollment is full, we maintain a waitlist. Waitlists do not carry over from one school year to the next.

Licensing & Enrollment Requirements:

Westbrook Nature School is a Group Child Care Home licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

• All enrolled children must comply with applicable state health and immunization requirements.
• In accordance with Connecticut's updated guidelines, effective July 1, 2023, children must be three years old by September 1 of the school year in which they enroll.
• All children must be fully potty trained by the start of the school year.

A Note About Our Mixed-Age Approach:

At Westbrook, we believe there is something deeply meaningful about giving children the opportunity to experience two full years in our Mixed-Age Kindergarten Program. Over this time, children develop strong relationships, grow in confidence and independence, and experience the changing seasons and rhythms of our outdoor classroom.

For this reason, when considering new applicants, we give priority to children who will be three years old at the start of the school year and have the opportunity to spend two full years with us.

As a result, space for children entering at age four may be limited. Age is one of several factors we consider as we thoughtfully build a balanced, mixed-age class each year.

Our goal is to create a nurturing and consistent experience for every child while honoring the relationships and sense of community that make Westbrook so special.