草榴社区

First Steps Children's Center

6 Overland St
Hudson, MA 01749
First Steps is a privately owned children's center. The owners, Mary Ellen Arsenault and her daughter, Nancy Arsenault King, have been life-long residents of Hudson.
We opened our doors in September of 1990. Our intentions were, and continue to be, to provide the parents of the area communities a safe, loving, stress-free environment for their young children during the hours that parents need to be at work.
We were conservative in September of 1990 and requested a license from Massachusetts Office for Child Care Services for 39 children.
By December 1st, we were bulging and needed to be re-licensed for 67 children far surpassing our original expectations.
Since then, we have added an additional infant room, an additional pre-school (Pre-K) and a private full-day kindergarten. We now serve 106 families in our Hudson center.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
  • Enrollment: 54 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students
54 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
13%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.:

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL

School Notes

  • First Steps is a privately owned children's center. The owners, Mary Ellen Arsenault and her daughter, Nancy Arsenault King, have been life-long residents of Hudson. We opened our doors in September of 1990. Our intentions were, and continue to be, to provide the parents of the area communities a safe, loving, stress-free environment for their young children during the hours that parents need to be at work. We were conservative in September of 1990 and requested a license from Massachusetts Office for Child Care Services for 39 children. By December 1st, we were bulging and needed to be re-licensed for 67 children far surpassing our original expectations. Since then, we have added an additional infant room, an additional pre-school (Pre-K) and a private full-day kindergarten. We now serve 106 families in our Hudson center.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline for First Steps Children's Center?
The application deadline for First Steps Children's Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

Endorse First Steps Children's Center. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school:

Recent Articles

The Social Fit Interview: Questions to Ask Students, Not Admissions
The Social Fit Interview: Questions to Ask Students, Not Admissions
Discover how talking with current students can reveal a private school's true culture and help families assess social fit before enrolling.
AI Companions and Student Well-Being: What Parents Should Ask
AI Companions and Student Well-Being: What Parents Should Ask
Learn how AI companions may affect student well-being and discover the key questions parents should ask before embracing this emerging technology.
Is a Phone-Free 草榴社区 School Right for Your Child?
Is a Phone-Free 草榴社区 School Right for Your Child?
Explore the benefits, challenges, and key considerations of choosing a phone-free private school for your child in 2026.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
  • Enrollment: 54 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Request Information

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Middlesex County, MA is $28,531 for elementary schools and $48,901 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Middlesex County, MA is 60% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Quick Links