2nd Nature Academy is free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability, or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").
Welcome to Pathways to SNA, where we provide a warm, nurturing environment for children from 8 weeks through interim-kindergarten. Our child-centered approach honors the uniqueness of every learner, replacing one-size-fits-all instruction with a multi-sensory, integrated curriculum that values inquiry and exploration. By utilizing a developmentally-appropriate Emergent Curriculum—a model highly recommended by NAEYC—our educators intentionally design learning experiences around student interests and real-world challenges. Through reflective practice and mixed-age classrooms, we foster essential life skills like critical thinking, compassion, and positive conflict resolution, building a strong foundation for a lifetime of placed-based learning.
THE PATHWAYS PHILOSOPHY
respect
the natural curiosity
of each child
encourage
exploration in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment
value
personal interest
foster
skill development
understand
and meet the needs of all children in our care
STAGES OF DISCOVERY
INFANTS
Nurturing the Critical First Year
In our infant program, we prioritize the profound developmental gains made in the first twelve months. Our caregivers provide a soothing, loving environment that balances safety with the freedom to explore, building the confidence your baby needs to reach early milestones.
Schedule: Fully individualized based on your baby’s specific sleeping and feeding needs.
Daily Activities: Tummy time, motor skill development, musical exposure, supervised floor play, and outdoor walks.
Core Focus: Developing sensory, motor, and language skills through gentle verbal interaction and rocking.
TODDLERS
Active Exploration & Group Routine
Toddlers are in constant motion, and our program is designed to channel that energy into meaningful discovery. As children transition from infancy, we introduce them to the benefits of a group schedule, helping them navigate social boundaries within a safe, play-based environment.
Transition: A move from individual schedules to set group routines and clear classroom boundaries.
Environment: High-supervision spaces where children can manipulate their surroundings without fear of failure.
Core Focus: Transitioning from solitary play to group activities and developing emergent curiosity through varied, engaging tasks.
PRE-ELEMENTARY
Inquiry & Foundation Building
Our Pre-Elementary program (Preschool, Prekindergarten, and Interim-Kindergarten) focuses on the "whole child." We emphasize social-emotional readiness and critical thinking over rigid academics, ensuring students are developmentally prepared for the challenges of kindergarten and beyond.
Eligibility: Children must be toilet-trained; placement is based on age and developmental readiness.
Curriculum Highlights: Orton-Gillingham phonics and inquiry-based, hands-on science and math, daily hikes, forest exploration, visits to barn animals, and art instruction.
Social Skills: A deep focus on self-advocacy, positive conflict resolution, and leadership.
Core Focus: Recognizing each child’s unique learning style and fostering a love for problem-solving through active discovery.
Early Childhood Education
AGE GROUP ELIGIBILITY
Early Childhood Education
We believe there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to child growth and development. As such, our early childhood classrooms enroll a range of ages. This allows us to move children based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: birth date, social and emotional skills, gross motor and fine motor development, ease of transitions, and communication skills. The age ranges outlined below are used for initial enrollment projections and tuition rates; final placement in a group may be determined by any of the aforementioned factors.
Age of Child | Timeline | Group Option A | Group Option B |
|---|---|---|---|
2-11 months | on requested start date | Infants ↦ | -- |
12-17 months | on requested start date | Toddler A ↦ | -- |
18-23 months | on requested start date | Toddler B ↦ | -- |
24-35 months | on requested start date | Toddler C ↦ | -- |
3 years | by September 30th | Preschool ↦ | -- |
4 years | by September 30th | Prekindergarten ↦ | -- |
5 years | by January 1st | Interim-kindergarten ↦ | -- |
5 years | by September 30th | Interim-kindergarten ↦ | SNA Kindergarten ↦ |
APPLICATION & ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Early Childhood Education
Admissions is based on availability and compatibility with our program(s), and confirmed enrollment is based on the completion of all steps listed below.
We recommend beginning the application process at least several months prior to your desired start date. Submitting an online inquiry is the swiftest way to learn if there is a waitlist and/or gauge predicted availability in your child's age group.
01
Learn about our program
Prior to submitting an inquiry, we encourage prospective families to learn about our program to determine if we are a great fit for your child.
02
Submit an initial inquiry
Submit an inquiry online. Once reviewed, a representative from our Admissions Department will reach out via the email provided with materials (if applicable) and to schedule a tour.
03
Tour the center
Join the Director of Early Childhood Education on a tour of our facilities.
04
Admissions decision
The enrollment process will begin if/when admittance is approved by the Director of Early Childhood Education. An application visit day for your child with their prospective group may be required prior to an admissions decision being made.
05
Finalize schedule
Once accepted into the program, the Director will work with you to confirm days of care, schedule your child's onboarding visit days, and establish your child's official start date (pending receipt of all registration materials).
06
Submit registration materials
When a child is granted admissions, they will be provided a complete list of registration steps. No registration is finalized without submission of all required elements and deposit payment (registration fee + first month's tuition). Deposits for infants who are yet to be born may not be submitted more than 6 months prior to the projected due date.
2nd Nature Academy is free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability, or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").
MEET OUR EDUCATORS
Early Childhood Education
Pathways to SNA provides each child with developmentally-appropriate care, attention, and instruction. Some of our team members come highly credentialed in their respective focuses; others are parents or grandparents with decades of experience in caring for children. What they all have in common is a commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and healthy environment for your child to learn and grow.
Our staff embraces our unique pedagogy, which centers around emergent curriculum, ample outdoor education, and play-based learning. Each individual takes pride in getting to know both the children and their families, and we support a culture of open communication at all times. Together, our educators create an environment that is ideal for your child’s growth and development.
Jillian Towne
Director of Early Childhood Education
My favorite part of my job is...
"that, as they say, 'it takes a village,' and I get to be a part of that village for so many families. Now my own daughter gets to be a part of our village too!"
Joleen Brahaney
Assistant Director
Frogs (Pre-K) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"that every day is different and we get frequent opportunities to explore the trails."
Amber Labrecque
Assistant Director
Calves (Toddler) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"watching the children explore and grow into their little personalities. I love reading stories with them and singing silly songs!"
Jennifer Slate
Assistant Director
Interim-Kindergarten Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"inspiring children to believe in themselves. When I was a child, I had a teacher that made me feel like I mattered and that I could do anything. I love having the opportunity to do that for my students."
Laura Auger
Chicks (Infant) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"that I get to care for such young children and knowing that I will have some part in shaping their future. It is a very rewarding experience. I love getting to know their parents and siblings and cherish the time each child spends in my classroom!"
Samantha Robarge
Chicks (Infant) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"watching the kids' personalities blossom as they grow into such unique individuals! I love seeing the world through their eyes."
Jennifer Rheaume
Lambs (Toddler) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"the energy level of young children. I also really enjoy watching them explore, play, and learn about their world!"
Amanda Weiss
Piglets (Toddler) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"getting to introduce new and unique experiences to the children to create a lasting impression and spark new ideas and imagination. I love to make up songs, be silly, and help bring out the children's individuality in a fun way!"
Bryanna Poirier
Piglets (Toddler) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"how everyday is a new adventure! I love making an impact on the children's day to day experiences. Watching them grow and achieve new milestones brings me happiness."
Stephanie White
Calves (Toddler) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"watching children play. It is so rewarding to see their imaginations at work, to see the wonder on their faces when they do something for the first time, and to watch them make new friends. Their joy and laughter is contagious."
Kristen Lavoie
Alpacas (Preschool) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"seeing the kids get excited when they implement something new they learned at school. Knowing I had a positive impact brings me joy as a teacher."
Tracy Quinn
Alpacas (Preschool) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"seeing the creativity and imagination spark in these kids because of my background in art. Their personalities are infectious and everyday they find a new way to make me laugh!"
Ryan Slate
Alpacas (Preschool) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"witnessing the incredible growth of the children."
Chelsea Barbini
Frogs (Pre-K) Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"being able to explore the outdoors with the children. I love watching their responses to new things and watching them become engaged with their surroundings."
Megan Sweeney
Music Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"building connections with my kids and watching them discover what they are passionate about."
Cathy Richardson Brown
Floating Assistant Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
"sharing my music and farming background with the children."
Leo Marandola
Floating Assistant Teacher
My favorite part of my job is...
COMING SOON
Stephanie Wunderlich
Administrative Assistant
My favorite part of my job is...
"getting to greet families and make special connections with children of all ages!"
Sarah Thompson
Administrative Assistant
My favorite part of my job is...
"being part of a family-oriented community that nurtures a child’s life, as well as that point of contact that welcomes and cheers parents on during the PM shift homestretch!"
Desiree Enriquez
Manager of Administrative Services
My favorite part of my job is...
"the opportunity to make the kids smile and laugh, and how they make me smile and laugh in return."
Donagh McKean
Administrative Assistant
My favorite part of my job is...
"getting to interact with the children in many different settings."