Canterbury Children's Center

Canterbury Children's Center is a preschool in Wakefield, Massachusetts. It is a play-based program serving young children starting at the age of 2.9 years, with a philosophy of providing quality care in a nurturing environment that fosters growth and development. The center offers a well-balanced approach that meets the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of the children in its care, and it is open 51 weeks a year.

Canterbury Children's Center was established by the Emmanuel Parish as a multi-service, non-profit, non-denominational program. It is committed to serving the diverse and individual needs of young children, and it does not discriminate in providing services to children and families, or in employment practices, based on family structure, socioeconomics, disabilities, race, religion, age, cultural heritage, political beliefs, sex, marital status, national origin, or sexual orientation. The center was re-licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care in February 2025. Administration includes LeighAnn O'Neill as Administrative Director, Amy Yatsuhashi as Executive Director, and Kristen McKenna as Program Director. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. An open house for prospective families for the 2026/27 school year is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 6:30pm, when families can see the center, visit classrooms, and meet staff.

The center is located at 5 Bryant Street, near Main Street and Salem Street. It sits close to Upper Common park and the Hiker Monument and Rockery, both about a tenth of a mile away, and is roughly the same distance from Wakefield Town Hall and the Yale Avenue Historic District.

Canterbury Children's Center holds a rating of 4.70 from the customers who have reviewed it, reflecting the positive regard of the families it serves.