Three steps to get started.
The best way to get a feel for Bigelow is to visit in person. Tours are at 9am, last 30–45 minutes, and children are welcome.
After your tour, you're ready to apply. Submit your application online or print it out. There is a $50 application fee, waived for families with state child care vouchers.
Enrollment is confirmed with a signed 12-month contract and a one-month tuition deposit. The deposit is applied toward your August tuition the following year.
Monthly rates by classroom and schedule.
Core Day
8:30am – 3:30pm · Monthly
| Classroom | 5 days | 4 days | 3 days | 2 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Infant 3–11 months |
$3,314 | $2,722 | $2,133 | $1,544 |
|
Infant/Toddler 12–23 months |
$3,140 | $2,581 | $2,020 | $1,461 |
|
Toddler/Preschool 19–32 months |
$2,894 | $2,384 | $1,875 | $1,369 |
|
Preschool 33 months–5 years |
$2,484 | $2,059 | $1,632 | $1,210 |
Extended Day add-on
3:30pm – 5:30pm · Monthly · In addition to core day tuition
| Classroom | 5 days | 4 days | 3 days | 2 days | 1 day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Infant 3–11 months |
$908 | $728 | $549 | $366 | $188 |
|
Infant/Toddler 12–23 months |
$860 | $690 | $519 | $349 | $172 |
|
Toddler/Preschool 19–32 months |
$801 | $642 | $482 | $323 | $161 |
|
Preschool 33 months–5 years |
$636 | $509 | $383 | $257 | $130 |
Payment terms: Tuition is billed monthly. A non-refundable deposit equal to one month's tuition is required at signing and is applied toward August tuition the following year. Rates are typically updated in early February for the following September and are subject to change.
Quality childcare, available to all families.
Bigelow works with the Somerville Partnership for Young Children (SPYC) to connect families with financial assistance resources — including the City of Somerville's Child Care Access and Affordability Program — to ensure every child in Somerville has access to quality early care.
Learn about financial assistance →
Bigelow is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm. The core program day runs 8:30am–3:30pm. Extended day care until 5:30pm is available as an add-on.
Bigelow is open 48 weeks a year. We close for standard holidays, late August through early September, the week between Christmas and New Year's, and April vacation week. We also close for three professional development days per year.
Yes. Enrollment is based on a 12-month contract. A non-refundable deposit equal to one month's tuition is required at signing.
As a cooperative, families are active members of the school community. Each family participates in a monthly classroom work shift, attends community and classroom meetings (roughly every other month), and joins one parent committee — hiring, finance, web and technology, physical space, and others. One clean-up day each fall and spring is also expected.
Bigelow is committed to making participation work for a wide range of family situations. If your schedule or circumstances make any of these commitments difficult, reach out — there are always other ways to be involved.
Bigelow understands that schedules don't always allow for on-site participation. Families who aren't able to attend classroom shifts are encouraged to reach out to Director Dawn Lorino — she's glad to identify other ways to contribute that fit your life.
Parents designate authorized caregivers by signing an authorization form and introducing them to their child's teachers. All caregivers sign in and out every day.
Yes. Bigelow has a private parking lot with around 30 spaces, making drop-off and pick-up easy for families.
Yes, and many parents do. There is stroller storage in our vestibule.
Families provide diapers and lunch for their child. Bigelow provides wipes, two snacks daily, and organic milk at lunch in accordance with USDA guidelines.
Yes — outdoor time is central to the Bigelow program. Children use the private on-site playground daily, weather permitting, and also visit nearby parks and the 5.5-acre woods on the grounds of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Come see Bigelow in person.
Visit a classroom, meet our teachers, and get a feel for the community.