Andover, MA 01810 (978) 684-5055
Calendar Contact (978) 684-5055
Schedule a tour Register my child
Springboard preview
Springboard to Kindergarten

A confident bridge to Kindergarten

Springboard to Kindergarten is SHED’s Reggio Emilia inspired readiness program for children who benefit from an additional year of growth before entering Kindergarten.

Springboard offers children the time, space, and experiences needed to deepen curiosity, build confidence, and develop strong peer relationships.

Ages
4.9 to 5 years
Schedule
5 days a week, full week only
Core hours
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Options
Drop-in days, extended AM and PM hours
Tuition
$1,914 a month
Fall registration closed Schedule a tour
A girl in an orange dress reaching up toward a paper sculpture hanging in the classroom
Tuition and hours

Plan your week

Springboard runs five days a week so the cohort stays together. Add early drop-off or extended days as you need them, and we’ll show your monthly tuition as you go.

A $75 registration fee and a $300 yearly facility fee apply per child.

01Your week
5 daysFull week, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PMSpringboard runs as a full-week program so the cohort stays together.
02Early drop-off from 8:00 AM, days per week
03Extended day until 6:00 PM, days per week
Your estimate
$1,914 per month

    Based on SHED’s current published rates. Registration and facility fees are separate.

    Schedule a tour Ask about tuition
    Is Springboard right for my child?

    Thoughtfully designed for children who

    Rather than rushing readiness, we honor each child’s developmental timeline while intentionally preparing them for the expectations of Kindergarten.

    1. Turn five by the end of December

    2. Miss the Kindergarten September cut‑off by a short time

    3. Would benefit from an extra year to strengthen social, emotional, or academic readiness

    Not sure which year fits? Call us at (978) 684-5055 or schedule a tour, and we’ll talk it through with you.

    Backed by science

    Why choose Springboard? Four things the research says matter most at ages four and five, and how each one shows up in our classroom.

    • Builds

      Independence and executive function

      Ages four to five are critical for developing focus, self-regulation, and planning skills.

      At SpringboardChildren manage materials, make choices, and follow multi-step routines.

    • Builds

      Deeper learning

      The Reggio Emilia approach follows children’s natural interests, which has been shown to increase engagement, motivation, and long-term retention.

      At SpringboardProjects grow from the children’s own questions.

    • Builds

      Social readiness

      Collaborative problem-solving improves communication, empathy, and adaptability.

      At SpringboardSmall groups negotiate roles, share ideas, and resolve challenges together, just like in Kindergarten.

    • Builds

      Focus and confidence

      Thoughtfully designed classrooms improve concentration and confidence.

      At SpringboardSpaces encourage sustained attention, creative expression, and meaningful discussion.

    Curiosity in action

    Facilitating learning one question at a time

    A fleeting moment of curiosity becomes something more when a teacher recognizes it, nurtures it, and builds from it. Our educators listen closely, observe intentionally, and respond with purpose. What starts as a simple wonder becomes a meaningful, child-led investigation that unfolds over time.

    Three children gathering dandelions into a red fabric bin on the grass A Springboard project

    Dandelion honey

    “Why do dandelions exist if they’re just weeds?”

    1. The spark

      Something ordinary started to feel important.

      What many might overlook or pull from the ground became something worth pausing for. The children began to notice dandelions everywhere: in the grass, along pathways, tucked into unexpected places.

    2. Following the question

      The teacher followed their lead.

      Together, the class explored the many purposes of dandelions. They learned that dandelions are not just weeds, but plants with a story. They support pollinators, can be used for food, and have been part of traditions for generations.

    3. Hands-on

      New questions along the way.

      Children gathered dandelions themselves, carefully observing their structure, color, and texture.

      Can we eat them?What do they taste like?How do you turn a flower into something else?
    4. The result

      Dandelion honey, made together.

      The process was slow, intentional, and sensory. From picking the flowers to watching them change, children experienced the full journey of transformation, and shared a sweet reward they had helped create.

    Environment

    Inside the classroom

    At SHED, the classroom is more than four walls. It’s a living space shaped by children’s ideas, questions, and discoveries. From nature walks to project work, every experience is an opportunity for children to wonder, test, and grow together.

    The power of thoughtful spaces

    At SHED, classrooms are intentionally designed to support how children grow, think, and learn. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia concept of the “third teacher,” our spaces are thoughtfully arranged to support calm, focus, creativity, and independence.

    Research shows that well-designed environments can lower stress, improve attention, and strengthen a child’s ability to engage deeply in learning. At SHED, the classroom does not simply hold learning; it actively shapes it.

    Environment as a teacher
    An adult and two children tending plants together in the garden
    Family always welcome

    Join us in the classroom

    At Springboard, we see parents as partners in learning. We invite you to step into the classroom and share your unique skills, stories, or passions with our children: leading a simple art activity, playing an instrument, teaching a recipe, or sharing a cultural tradition. Your presence enriches our community and deepens the children’s learning.

    So grateful to have a program like this in Andover. I wouldn’t leave my girls anywhere else.
    Megan H., SHED parent
    Contact us
    Meet the team

    Our educators

    Thoughtful guides who observe, listen, and follow each child’s curiosity. Tap a teacher to read their story.

    • Loading the team…
    See every SHED educator
    Parent experience

    In their words

    What SHED families share in their Google reviews.

    Read all reviews on Google

    • The teachers are experts in child development.

      Our kids are so happy and feel at home there. The teachers are experts in child development and know and love our kids so deeply. We love how much time they spend outside and the way SHED’s program allows them to build confidence and resilience.

      Grace W.Google review

    • Not just academically, but in their confidence, creativity…

      From the moment we joined SHED, we were struck by the warmth and dedication of your educators and staff… Our child has gained so much during their time at SHED, not just academically, but in their confidence, creativity, and ability to connect with the world around them.

      Kathryn P.Google review

    • I wouldn’t leave my girls anywhere else.

      I cannot speak highly enough of this program. The overall culture of the staff and administration fosters an amazing (and rare) sense of independence, curiosity, creativity, community and kindness. So grateful to have a program like this in Andover.

      Megan H.Google review

    • Teachers foster curiosity, imagination, confidence, and kindness.

      From the first time we toured we knew it’s a wonderful place where teachers foster curiosity, imagination, confidence, and kindness. They did just that for our kid and beyond.

      Catherine L.Google review

    • Friends that can last a lifetime.

      The teachers in the classrooms truly care about the children and making sure they have the best time possible. With an open classroom policy children are able to interact with children of other ages, classrooms and schools, creating an amazing sense of community and friends that can last a lifetime.

      Happy DadGoogle review

    • Our son loves SHED and so do we.

      They let kids explore their imaginations with enough room to roam the creative, expressive (and athletic) space.

      Nathaniel E.Google review

    • My daughter absolutely loves spending time at SHED.

      The people that take care of the kids are amazing. The activities are endless and the rest of the staff is very welcoming and helpful.

      Ledja M.Google review

    • Fantastic experiences for us and the kiddos.

      We’ve sent two kids to various programs at SHED… All have been fantastic experiences for us and the kiddos.

      William S.Google review

    • Could not be happier with SHED.

      Amazing environment, teachers and staff.

      K. R.Google review

    • Great staff, awesome program.

      Jason F.Google review

    Discover Springboard for yourself

    Rooted in curiosity, community, and creativity, Springboard is where children grow into confident, joyful learners. Schedule a campus tour and see what curious, child-led learning looks like.

    Schedule a tour Fall registration closed