About John Winthrop School · Boston
John Winthrop School for Young Children is a private early childhood education institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1966 by members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church. Originally established to serve children in the Back Bay and South End areas, the school has maintained a commitment to racial and economic diversity since its inception. Though no longer affiliated with the church, it remains an integral part of the Greater Boston community. The school emphasizes child-centered, emergent curriculum that supports cognitive, social, physical, and language development through exploration and discovery. It operates with a focus on nurturing children’s natural curiosity and providing a safe, loving environment for learning.
John Winthrop School for Young Children is a private preschool serving young children in Boston. Founded in 1966 by members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church, the school was created to address a lack of educational facilities in the Back Bay and South End. It began in a church basement and relocated after a 1968 fire, eventually moving to its current location in 1972. While no longer affiliated with the church, it continues to serve the Greater Boston community with a mission centered on fostering children’s development through exploration, play, and personalized learning. The school’s curriculum is driven by children’s interests, with teachers facilitating developmentally appropriate activities and encouraging self-directed learning. It emphasizes partnerships between teachers and parents to support each child’s growth. The school’s staff includes highly qualified early childhood educators and consultants, including a clinical psychologist and occupational therapist who provide ongoing support to families and teachers.
- In business
- since 1966
- Owner
- Members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Boston
- Serves
- Greater Boston Community
About Us
The John Winthrop School was founded in 1966 by members of the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Boston in response to a lack of educational facilities for children located in the Back Bay and South End. From its inception, John Winthrop Nursery School sought to achieve both racial and economic diversity among its student body — both concepts were atypical of the time. The school began with one classroom in the basement of the First Church building. In 1968, a 5-alarm fire destroyed the church. The founders’ primary concern was the relocation and re-opening of the John Winthrop Nursery School and, within a week of the fire, the nursery school was re-opened in a temporary location. During rebuilding, the continued commitment of the church trustees led to an expansion of the school which moved to its new location (and current home) in 1972. While the John Winthrop School is no longer directly affiliated with the church, it continues to be an integral part of the Greater Boston Community.
Our Program
Children’s natural curiosity opens a world of opportunity for learning. At JWS, children embark on a cycle of wonder, exploration, and discovery. Learning is personalized to each individual and supported by highly qualified, caring teachers. Our classrooms are designed with young children in mind and allow for self-directed play and learning while also offering opportunities for group interaction. When interest and spontaneous play drive a child’s learning, every day is a thrilling adventure; this is the core of the JWS curriculum.
Our Staff
JWS consists of a community of learners, including children, teachers, and families, where all are welcome, work together, and are respected. Teachers facilitate the learning process by providing children with opportunities to explore developmentally appropriate activities and materials, and by allowing them to make decisions in accordance with their own interests. Teachers and parents work as partners to support and cultivate each child’s development.