Play Collective Preschool

04/06/2026

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10/07/2025

New on the blog! Play Today, Thrive Tomorrow: Why Kindergarten Readiness Begins with Free Play

Parents often feel pressure to make sure their child is “ready” for kindergarten, but true readiness comes from experiences that nurture curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. Children who attend play-based preschools, like Play Collective Preschool, develop the social, emotional, and co...

08/22/2025

Fall enrollment is OPEN at Play Collective Preschool. We serve families with children aged 2-6 in the Ashland area. We have ONE remaining spot on Thursdays or Fridays.

Here’s how to know if my program is right for your family. ⬇
👉 you value the power of free play
👉 you understand the importance of child led learning
👉 and you’re craving connection with community

If you want your child to enjoy their childhood, you have to actually allow them the space, time, and freedom to play freely. 🤸‍♀️
Over the course of my career as an early childhood educator, I’ve noticed a slow movement toward increased unreasonable expectations of young children. And it’s really negatively affecting them. 😞

Remember! The real work of childhood is supposed to be PLAY! Play is the highest form of research, increases intrinsic motivation, encourages creativity, helps with problem solving, and so much more! And it DOES NOT negatively impact your child’s learning readiness. In fact, it does the opposite. 🤓 🤸

It sets your child up for a life long love of LEARNING! 😍
We’ve been taught to believe that if we don’t prepare our children for kindergarten that they won’t succeed. But that’s simply UNTRUE! 🤨

Just. Let. Them. Play. 🤸‍♀️

So how the heck can Play Collective help your child blossom into a life long learner who isn’t afraid to chase their dreams? 🤔

Comment LINK and I’ll send you my website with all the information you need so you can schedule a tour to see if our program is right for your family TODAY! 🤩

PS- I’m a former public school special education administrator whose children are life-long self-directed learners. This means that they’ve spent their entire lives learning almost exclusively through PLAY! The philosophy that we have here at Play Collective is deeply important to me and is my family’s way of life. It’s been so fun watching my own children learn and grow in unconventional ways!

08/08/2025

HERE’S THE THING ⬇️

Young children don’t need academic instruction. They need time to play freely in a space where it feels safe to express their emotions fully. 🫶

As the mama of two amazing, life long self-directed learners, I’ve had to practice the art of “letting go” more times than I can count. 😅

And over the course of the last decade I have learned that co-regulation is the most powerful tool parents and educators should be using to help our children learn and thrive. 🤸‍♀️

I’m a former public school educator turned unschooling mama and play-based preschool owner, and through the years I’ve learned a lot about the importance of effective communication with our children when they’re feeling big emotions.

Here are a few statements you can try using when your little one is having a hard time in order to encourage them to self regulate and learn crucial communication skills:

🫶 Would you like me to sit with you or do you need space?
🫶 I’m here to help you when you’re ready.
🫶 Do you need a hug?
🫶 You’re not in trouble.
🫶 I’m here with you.
🫶 We can figure this out together.

If you’re a mom with children aged 2-6, and you want to give them the opportunity to learn and grow through play, in an environment that feels safe, our mixed age program is for you. 💃

Reap & Sow Children’s Center allows your children to learn and lead through their zone of genius… their ability to create through play!….

We do this while also providing them with a space where they feel safe expressing their emotions. Our staff understand the importance of holding space for your little ones. In doing so we model what emotional regulation looks and feels like, so that they may learn how to eventually express themselves in a healthy manner.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our amazing program, comment I’M READY below and I’ll send you our website so you can schedule a tour of our adorable play center TODAY! 🎉

06/18/2025

Hello Everyone! Becky here. 👋

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, so I want to take a minute to re-introduce myself…

I’m a mother, former special educator turned unschooling advocate, and own Reap & Sow, a small play-based preschool enrichment program in Ashland, MA. I hold a master’s degree in special education, and a bachelor’s in psychology. I left my job as a public school teacher after the birth of my daughter, when standardized education started to no longer resonate for me. Lessons in motherhood quickly taught me the importance of play and autonomy in childhood, leading me down a path of self-discovery and entrepreneurship.

By way of my lifestyle, I like to encourage families to let go of unreasonable expectations of their children, and help them embrace the power of play. My own children are self-directed learners who have enjoyed a lifetime of learning through play.

In our work here at Play Collective, we provide children aged 2-6 with a safe and happy environment where they are encouraged to play freely and express themselves fully.

We look forward to serving your family. ❤️

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