Mission & History

Mission Statement

The mission of the Children’s Garden is to create a learning environment where each person’s diverse and unique gifts are deeply respected, nurtured and celebrated. We are inspired by children’s passion, natural curiosity and magical interpretation of the world. We seek to add joy to discovery as together we extend each other’s thinking to construct new meaning.

History of Our Program

The Children’s Garden was started in the winter of 1973 by two Cambridge School of Weston faculty members looking for a way to keep their children close to them at work while providing a safe, stimulating, age appropriate environment. Their idea quickly became a plan to open a small infant-toddler center as an integral part of The Cambridge School of Weston curriculum, with high school students assisting professional teachers. The Children’s Garden opened in the fall of 1973 with ten children and one full-time teacher. Its first location was the classroom now called First Story, a former “coffee house” built by CSW students. By the fall of 1975, Second Story was added, entirely designed and built by parent volunteers and paid high school student carpenters. In 1978, The Annex was added to host a toddler group. The Children’s Garden now serves approximately 35 families with children from two years of age to pre-kindergarten.