Our Values

For over 50 years BCNS Preschool has provided a nurturing community grounded in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and family engagement.

We foster learning through play and value the strong partnership between children, teachers, and parents. Inquiry, community building, and mutual respect guide our daily practice as we broaden children’s sense of self through exploration, collaboration, and care for the environment.

Learn About Our Classes
A young boy is painting with watercolor paints at a table, holding a brush and a glass of water, with more paint supplies nearby.

Core Principles We Live By

Two young children with light skin and curly brown hair smiling and playing with a puzzle on a wooden table.

Children as protagonists

We see children not as empty vessels to be filled, but as active participants in their own learning. Their questions, interests, and ideas shape the curriculum each day.

Teachers as guides and co-learners

Our educators don’t just deliver lessons; they listen, observe, and join children in their discoveries. Together, they create experiences that help children think deeply, collaborate, and problem-solve.

The environment as the third teacher

Every corner of the classroom is intentional: welcoming, beautiful, and designed to spark wonder. We believe that materials, light, and space all play a role in how children learn.

Young girl playing in a sandbox with toy shovels and containers, with a playhouse and other children in the background.

Parents as partners

A Reggio-inspired school is a community endeavor. Parents aren’t just visitors but collaborators, bringing their perspectives and gifts into the life of the school.

Documentation as communication

Children’s words, drawings, and projects are carefully documented. These stories make their learning visible, deepen reflection, and celebrate the unique journey of each child.

Connection to community

We value building strong ties between children, families, and our wider community. These connections deepen a child’s sense of belonging and help them see their role in the world around them.

The History of BCNS in Belmont

Green circular logo with a tree illustration and the text 'BCNS' in the center, and 'EST. 1974' at the bottom.

BCNS opened in 1971, founded by members of the First Church in Belmont Unitarian-Universalist to meet a need for cooperative, part-time preschool in the town. It began as the First Church Nursery School of Belmont, with a single class of four-year-olds.

In 1974 the school became Belmont Cooperative Nursery School, Inc., reflecting its independence and its cooperative identity. That is the year on our logo. Both dates matter: 1971 is when the school began, 1974 is when it became BCNS.

The school has moved twice since. After the First Church renovation in 2003 it relocated to the Belmont United Methodist Church, and in 2012 to St. Joseph Parish at 130 Common Street, where the additional space let us widen the program and serve more families.

Today we go by BCNS Preschool, a name that carries the roots and reflects what the school is now. The cooperative spirit is still here, in the community families build together, though the mandatory volunteer hours of the early years are long gone.

Two young girls hugging and smiling while sitting on a beige and wooden chair in an indoor setting.

What Guides Our Days

Curiosity-Driven Learning

We believe children are naturally curious; authentic learning emerges from their questions and explorations.

Play as the Foundation

Learning happens through direct experience, nature, and joyful play.

Family Partnership

Families are active collaborators, bridging home and school.

Community Connections

Children build relationships with peers, environment, and the larger community.

In Practice

  • Emergent projects that grow from children’s interests

  • Daily outdoor exploration and seasonal celebrations

  • Small class sizes with low child–adult ratios

  • Parent participation in the classroom and on field trips

  • Teacher documentation and parent–teacher reflection

Two children playing with colorful toys on a beige carpet in a room with a bookshelf, plants, and a blue wall hanging.
Three young children in costume playing in a classroom, one dressed as a captain, one with a detective or explorer outfit, and one as a ninja, engaging in pretend play.

Our Educational Goals

Silhouette icon of two women, one holding a book, standing side by side.

Foster Cooperation & Respect

Silhouette of a person holding a large bottle above their head.

Support the Whole Child

Silhouette illustration of two children playing with a balloon, one child holding the balloon string.

Instill Joy in Learning

Silhouette of a person reading a book to a child sitting on the ground

Value the Process

Enrollment & Tuition Info

FAQs: History, Mission & Values

  • BCNS follows the Reggio Emilia approach, a play-based, child-centered philosophy that values creativity, inquiry, and collaboration.

  • Our community values trust, respect, safety, individuality, communication, exploration, and child-centered learning.

  • Families are active partners in their child’s education, creating a strong, supportive community that extends beyond preschool years.

  • BCNS was founded as a cooperative preschool, and while the model has evolved to meet the needs of modern families, parent involvement and family engagement remain at the heart of our community.

  • While we are located in Belmont, we welcome families from many surrounding communities, including Watertown, Arlington, and Waltham.

  • When looking for the best preschool, many families prioritize low teacher-student ratios, a play-based curriculum, and parent involvement. BCNS was designed around these exact principles to create a supportive environment for children and parents alike.