Category: Guides to Newton

Guides for parents in Newton, MA including best preschools, mommy and me music classes, karate for kids and more.

Best Food That Delivers to Newton

So my criteria for “delivery” is that the restaurant has its own delivery service — i.e. you can order delivery directly from the restaurant. The delivery has to be executed within an hour of ordering.

I asked my mom friends for their favorite delivery restaurants and, to be honest, we are all in the same boat: there are not enough good restaurants that deliver!

With the busy holiday season, I hope this list helps you out. Please add your favorite delivery food restaurants! Thanks!

Best Pho That Delivers to Newton

Pho and Spice

We eat in and have food delivery. Pho on a cold winter night is welcome at our house! They also have Thai food.

$2.00 Delivery Charge, $15.00 minimun order

457 Moody Street

Waltham, Ma 02453

Tel: (781) 788-8899

Best Middle Eastern Food That Delivers to Newton

Jasmine Restaurant

My friend Sena is a food writer for the Boston Globe. She recommends their pilaf rice. Stop by Arax Market for their wonderful prepared foods and other Middle Eastern groceries and pick up Jasmine’s pilaf rice as well and your dinner is all set!

580 Mt Auburn St

Watertown, MA 02472

Best Pizza That Delivers to Newton

Sichuan Gourmet House

Spicy dishes, including Sichuan hot pots, are the specialty of this modern Chinese restaurant.

1203R Walnut St

Newton Highlands, MA 02461

Sweet Tomatoes

1279 Washington St

West Newton, MA

(617) 630-8666

47 Langley Rd

Newton Centre, MA

(617) 558-0222

The parking is challenging at both locations so it’s great that they now deliver! Try their great salads too!

Best Chinese That Delivers to Newton

Rice Valley was recommended more than once. It’s hard to find decent Chinese food in Boston in general and this is the best we can find for delivery.

Rice Valley

821 Washington St

Newtonville, MA 02460

Phone: (617) 558-7666

Number 1 Noodle House

My foodie Asian friend Stella recommends this restaurant. My friend Nathalie also recommends it. Try the noodle soups and the chow fun.

51 Langley Rd
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: (617) 527-8810

Lobster Wok

My friend Nathalie also recommends Lobster Wok for their Hot and Sour soup and rice dishes.

10 Austin St

Newtonville, MA 02460

Best Indian Delivery in Newton

My Brit friend Lydia recommends this one. They know their Indian food!

Punjab Palace

109 Brighton Ave

Allston, MA 02134

Phone: (617) 254-1500

Best Thai Delivery in Newton

Baan Thai

My foodie friend Sena who writes about food for the Boston Globe picks Baan Thai for her delivery Thai food option. No-frills eatery for curries & other classic Thai dishes plus sushi rolls & a full bar.

659 Main St

Waltham, MA 02451

Thai North

433 Faneuil St

Brighton, MA 02135

Phone:(617) 254-2025

Pho and Spice (see above also has Thai)

Best Brazilian That Delivers to Newton

Panela de Barro

229 Newton St

Waltham, MA 02453

Phone:(781) 209-1888

This is a buffet style restaurant. We usually eat in but we notice the staff filling orders for delivery. You pay by the weight.

Best Japanese that Delivers to Newton

New Sapporo

Our favorite Korean and Japanese restaurant is under new(ish) ownership and now they do delivery too!

81 Union St

Newton Centre, MA 02459

Phone:(617) 964-8044

Sakura

We’ve eaten at the restaurant and then found out that our daughter is friend’s with the owner’s son!

5 Pine St
Waltham MA, 02453

(781) 216-8922

November 21, 2015
Foodie Guide to Boston’s Chinatown

I keep running into my friend Stella in Chinatown even though we both live here in Newton so I am calling upon her expertise to help me with this guide to Chinatown in Boston. It’s a little mystifying to find the best of the best in Chinatown. We usually agree, but when we don’t, I’m going to list both options.

My kids are of a different mind. They think I am being a “Bruce Lee” by spilling Asian secrets and thereby making their favorite haunts even more crowded than they already are. There is plenty for everyone!

What makes you hesitate to go to Chinatown? Is it the bad drivers? Is the lack of parking? Is it because you don’t speak Mandarin? The drivers are terrible; this is true. We park at a lot on Tyler Street. It’s impossible to get meter parking but we manage once or twice a year to score a spot. And not everyone in Chinatown speaks Mandarin; there are hundreds of Chinese dialects so not everyone who lives there can understand each other. Your English will be fine!

Hope you venture into Chinatown. There are a lot of delicacies waiting for you there!

Best Dim Sum

China Pearl Restaurant

9 Tyler St
Boston, MA 02111

Everyone I know agrees that this is the best Dim Sum in Boston. It still doesn’t compare to Dim Sum in Hong Kong, or in Chinatowns in Los Angeles or San Francisco though so don’t get your hopes up too high. Still, their Har Gao is as good as any in the world.

Go before 11am on the weekend or expect to wait in line.

Best Soup Dumplings

Gourmet Dumpling House

52 Beach St

Boston, MA 02111

There’s usually a line out the door for dumplings so your best bet is to call ahead and pick up. Or do what we do. We order the soup dumplings when we are seated for Dim Sum (but before we start eating), then we pick them up on our way out for an afternoon snack.

Best Asian “Starbucks”

Tea Do

8 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Stella turned us on to this contemporary tea house and my kids like their smoothies and bubble tea. Their Japanese snacks are great too! This is a popular hangout for teens in the area and stocked with board games so you can hang out while sipping your drink! This is a de rigeur stop for us when we come to Chinatown for Dim Sum!

Best Cantonese Seafood

We have a split decision. I have been going to Peach Farm for more than 10 years and therefore haven’t tried anything new since finding it. Stella likes Jade Garden and she’s Cantonese!

Peach Farm

4 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Try the Salt and Pepper Squid. We order it half squid and half beef with bone. I like their ginger and scallion lobster too. Even our kids will eat the shrimp — that’s live from the tank (with the heads on), then steamed and served with sauce. Our kids like the sauce that isn’t spicy.

Jade Garden

20 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Best Chinese Cake Bakery

101 Bakery

56 Beach St

Boston, MA 02111

My kids like their sponge cakes; a piece with just a thin layer of frosting in between.

Best Chinese Pastry Bakery

Hing Shing Pastry

67 Beach St

Boston, MA 02111

They make Moon Cakes when it’s that time of year but no one I know actually likes Moon Cakes as they are very dense and sweet. They are made of sweetened bean puree. Instead, try the sponge cake in the paper cones. I also like their beef curry pies, apple turnovers and their version of Pigs in the Blanket. They have Chinese specialities too like pork buns (baked not steamed), and sticky rice wrapped in leaves.

Best Roasted Meat Shop

Hong Kong Eatery

79 Harrison Avenue

Boston, MA 02111

The restaurant is always busy but I’ve never eaten there. Instead, I stand in line to order their roasted meats. My favorite is the soy sauce chicken but the salt chicken is equally popular. They have roast duck and roast pork — both Char Shui (BBQ) and suckling pig style.

Best Vietnamese Sandwich Shop

163 Vietnamese Sandwich

66 Harrison Ave

Boston, MA 02111

Even if you are full, get a sandwich to go. You won’t regret it!

What are your favorite eats in Chinatown? Please share in the comments below!

October 29, 2015
Foodie Finds Near Newton

I am lucky to have foodie friends and these are some of the discoveries I have made living in Newton for the past 10+ years by asking them. And the funny thing is, some of these are new to me too!

How about you? What foodie finds have I missed? Please share in the comments section! Thanks!

Praline

203 Belmont St

Belmont, MA 02478

It’s a little bit of Paris in Belmont with handmade confections and pastries. They also sell crepes! We tried the ham and cheese crepe, chocolate croissant and chocolate macaron. Everything was top notch!

If you are headed to Sophia’s Greek Pantry and/or Linda’s Handcut Donuts, make a quick pit stop. It’s just one block away.

Walnut Market

20 Lincoln St

Newton Highlands, MA 02461

Exceptional, curated selection of obscure beers, wines, and fine foods. A huge variety of International and local foods, as well as exotic beer and wine. They also have a great selection of British and European chocolate.

We like Canadian products and they have Canadian smoked turkey and Canadian bagels. The British and European chocolate is also a hit with my kids and closer to us the Kiki’s Kwik-Mart.

Arak Market

585 Mt Auburn St

Watertown, MA 02472

Armenian & Middle Eastern food shop offering produce, olives, cheeses, pastries & other items.

The largest Armenian market in Watertown, Arax has been part of the Armenian community since 1974. Armenians and other Middle-Easterners crowd this market for items such as imported spices, cheeses, olives, jams, sausages, yogurts, coffee, and many other items. Arax also has fresh pita bread everyday.

We tried a bunch of baklava pastries and the lahmjoune which was so good, we went back the next day for more.

Kiki’s Kwik-Mart

236 Faneuil St

Brighton, MA 02135

Brit candy and specialty food.

The description says, “convenience store with deli for coffee, prepared foods & sandwiches, including a sub of the month,” but we are all here for the candy! My friend Penny whose mother is Irish told me that when Nestle bought out Cadbury, they reformulated the chocolate so it’s waxy like the American chocolate. The only way to get the good stuff is to buy Cadbury in Canada, the U.K. or Europe. Our Brit friend Lydia told usa bout Kiki’s which has all the good candy plus Brit foodie specialities like crisps.

My friend Penny says that the turkey sandwich is amazing.

Sophia’s Greek Pantry

265 Belmont St

Belmont, MA 02478

Try the Honey Vanilla 2% yogurt they make themselves. It’s amazing! My teen daughters have said that I have ruined them for any other yogurt.

The description again does not do it justice, “Market for Greek/Balkan imports & prepared foods, including olives, yogurt, pastries & coffee.” They make their own yogurt. The 2% yogurt tastes as rich as fully fatted. Try the Honey Vanilla yogurt and be sure to buy some of the granola sold there made with their Greek olive oil.

They scoop the yogurt for you and there are other flavors. My daughter likes the strawberry banana.

Linda’s Hand Cut Donuts: Breakfast & Sandwich Shop

247 Belmont St

Belmont, MA 02478

Try the honey dipped donut which tastes like the best cinnamon sugar donut you’ve ever had in your life. Check their hours before you go. They close early!

The description says, “Old-school corner spot known for a variety of donuts, coffee, sandwiches & bagels.” What it should really say is: the woman in line in front of me came from Woburn for their donuts. They are really that good.”

This is right down the street from Sophia’s Greek Pantry so do yourself a favor, and go to both!

Fastachi

598 Mount Auburn Street

Watertown, MA 02472

Fresh, hand roasted gourmet nuts, dried fruit, gift tins and more.

Owen’s Poultry Farm

585 Central Ave

Needham, MA 02494

People order their Thanksgiving turkeys well in advance from Owen’s Poultry Farm but they also have a great frozen chicken pot pie, fresh eggs, prepared food, and, of course, chicken.

Volante Farm

292 Forest St

Needham, MA 02492

With a farmstand supermarket, a bakery, a kitchen and a greenhouse, this is a good stop to linger and explore.

Russo’s Market

560 Pleasant St

Watertown, MA 02472

Russo’s sells wholesale produce to supermarkets in town like Whole Foods. Buy the same stuff here at half the price!

Russo’s Market started off as a green grocer and has grown into a gourmet (but at wholesale) prices speciality market. It has fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, specialty products, imported and domestic cured meats, cheeses, prepared foods and more.

Great Harvest Bread

316 Walnut St

Newtonville, MA 02460

Try the Cinnamon Chip Bread!

Bakery chain specializing in whole-grain breads & muffins made with Montana wheat.

De Pasquale’s Sausage Company

325 Watertown St

Newton, MA 02458

Their cheese and garlic sausages are renowned.

DePasquale’s Sausage Company produces premium sausage products, including sweet italian sausages, in Newton, Massachusetts.

Bread and Chocolate

4 Hartford St

Newton Highlands, MA 02461

They serve breakfast and lunch both to go and on the premises. Everything is good. And be sure to save room for dessert! It’s hard to pick a favorite though my daughter loves their Red Velvet cupcakes.

Rosenfeld’s Bagels

1280 Centre St

Newton Centre, MA 02459

This is the closest thing we have in Boston to a New York Bagel!

Bagels with an array of cream cheeses, plus challah & special offerings for the holidays.

Antoine’s Bakery

317 Watertown St

Newton, MA 02458

Try their freshly baked Italian bread and their cookies! This is a North End kind of bakery right here in Nonantum!

Longtime bakery for French, Italian & American sweets, including cakes, cookies, pastries & pies.

Icing on the Cake

230 Adams St

Newton, MA 02458

The closest thing we have to Cake Boss!

Veteran bakery making cakes, cupcakes & cake pops, including custom creations for special occasions.

L’Aroma Cafe

15 Spencer St

West Newton, MA 02465

I love their Hibiscus Lemonade with has a shot of ginger flavor and my kids love their Iced Chai Latte which they claim is the best in all of Boston. Their bakery treats are great too! I also book all my meetings here. There are big spaces too if you have a large group.

Bakery treats, espresso & cafe fare are the draw at this compact fixture with an easygoing ambiance.

October 8, 2015
Best Club Soccer in Newton
Do we think that because a child is playing competitive soccer at 8 and 9, it will equate into success at 17 and 18? In fact, the opposite is more likely to occur, as we are finding that there are a lot more kids dropping out of soccer because the pressure to succeed has been placed on them at too young an age and they are no longer in the sport by the time they graduate from high school.

Do Europeans have it right when it comes to developing youth soccer players? TOO MUCH, TOO SOON! By Gordon Miller, VYSA (Virginia Youth Soccer Association) Technical Director is a great article about travel soccer and the best way to develop young soccer players:

If starting travel soccer this young were the right way to go then the rest of the world would be copying our model, but it doesn’t. In fact other countries are in the exact opposite direction with their soccer philosophies and programs. For example, the French, Germans, Dutch and Spanish believe that it is important to keep young players (under the age of 12) playing within their own communities, with their friends, and, with educated coaches.

My three kids have played club soccer and this is my take on the best club soccer teams in Newton.

What makes a great soccer club for kids? In my opinion:
- Curriculum that is consistent across all coaches and age groups.
- Opportunities to train with top players within age group.
- Coaches who focus on player development not win/loss record.
How are the girls clubs in Massachusetts ranked? Check it out here.

Valeo Futbol Club

125 Wells Avenue
Newton MA, 02459
Phone: 617-964-0140

Located off Wells Avenue at the Solomon Schecter School, Valeo FC has strong boys program and has recently added a girls program too. My son has been playing at Valeo since he was eight. What I like about Valeo is that the entire age group trains together doing the same technical drills, then breaking into small groups for more drills. Finally, the group organizes by what team they are on to scrimmage each other. Their philosophy to have a player pool per age group so there is fluidity moving up and down between teams as well. Valeo starts at U9 and does not cut players until U13 when games are 11 v 11. (Update: due to rapid growth, Valeo now is limiting years to 50 players. Current players were offered contracts in early May. Those who did not receive a contract were given a plan of what they needed to do to remain on the team. Any spots leftover will go to outside kids during tryouts. Kids with contracts do not go to tryouts). Valeo is FREE for boys U15-U18. U11 Boys received U.S. Development Academy Status which means the first and second teams are considered the academy teams. The U11 boys all practice together. Development team members attend 3 practices but the third practice is open to anyone else who wants to move up. Finally, Valeo has sent 7 boys to U.S. Soccer National Team camp.

Global Premier Soccer (GPS)

85 Central St #204

Waltham, MA 02453

Practice fields at Fessenden School

250 Waltham St, Newton, MA 02465

My U14 daughter just joined GPS after a bad experience at FC Boston Breakers Academy (aka Boston Breakers Academy & Scorpions FC). What I like about GPS is how professionally organized they are. Their communication to the team and parents is the best I’ve encountered in Club Soccer. The practice location at The Fessenden School is extremely convenient. Their coaching staff seems great and there is consistency across all ages in terms of training.

South Shore Select

This is a very difficult girls’ club to make but it is well known for producing very technical and highly skilled soccer players. Alison Foley, Women’s Soccer Head Coach at Boston College, is the new Senior Director of Coaching. Foley will provide direction for the older age groups in all aspects of their college preparation, ultimately making Select a premier model of top training and development for all age groups. For those age groups that she oversees, one practice a week is held at Boston College.

Newton Girls Soccer – Academy

All fields are in Newton

Newton Girls Soccer Academy is perfect for kids who want a little more than travel soccer but not an intensely competive environment. This club team practices once a week and the practice is scheduled so as not to conflict with Newton Town Travel soccer. The fields are conveniently located in Newton too! Because of just one practice a week, this is also a well priced club option!

Nor’Easter Soccer Club

Coach Mike Almeida, my daughter’s private soccer coach, recently started the Metrowest branch for Nor’Easter Soccer Club, the club he grew up playing for. He has both boys and girls teams that practice near Newton and what is great about Coach Mike is that he makes every player better. Nor’Easter has practice fields in Chestnut Hill at Pine Manor College and in Waltham.

FC Boston

Practice fields at Harvard’s Allston location, Dedham and Acton.

For boys who want to play college soccer, FC Bolts is only one of three soccer academy programs (and the other two are VC Valeo in Newton and Foxborough).

This club merged with Scorpions Soccer Club and then divorced, so suffice it to say that the merger was unsuccessful.

It should be noted that the policy for players leaving FC Boston is quite punitive. Families are required to pay the entire year’s club fee, even if they quit before the year even begins. In addition, FC Boston will not give the player release from FC Boston requiring parents to take legal action. This is not only costly but can take several months, in which your child will miss an entire season of games.

All other clubs will refund, pro rata, the remaining time left in the year and will process give the player release from their club in a prompt manner. Are you really sure you want to play for a club like this?

James Bede Soccer Club

Practice fields at West Suburban YMCA in Newton

My kids have never played on James Bede but I know moms who are happy here. Their practice fields are conveniently located at the YMCA in Newton.

Be Ahead of the Game

Highlands Field (32 Winchester St, Newton Highlands, MA 02461)

My son did Junior Academy with Brian Kelly as a preschooler. Brian Kelly is like the Piped Piper for young kids and sports. He makes learning soccer fun and does a great job teaching them technical skills. For kids ages 3.5 through 8 who might want to try club soccer, this is a great option!

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton

p.p.s. Related Posts:

Why Full Ride Scholarships Are Rare

How To Get An Athletic Scholarship

Top 10 Life Skills Kids Need Before College

How to Get Into College: Admissions Revolution

Top Art and Design Schools for Undergraduates

How To: Pay for College with Dr. Michele Borba
September 17, 2015
$A Fairly Comprehensive List of Supplemental Math Classes$

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Supplemental Math Classes

$math schools, math classes, math, Newton, Kumon, Russian Math, Mathnasium, Math Monkeys$

Are you looking for math classes for kids either to catch them up or to get them ahead? Math classes can also be a more affordable option instead of private tutoring.

There are many choices for math classes in Newton. I think it’s all about fit; matching the right class to each child so I’ve included articles and videos to help you get a feel for each one.

Russian Math

An an article about it: Russian Math Schools Gaining Popularity in U.S.

Address: 200 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459
Map

Phone: (617) 332-8243

Fax: (617) 244-5177

E-Mail: Administration@russianschool.com

Vice Principal: Ralitsa Dimitrova

Kumon

An article about it: Fast Tracking to Kindergarten?

617.244.9540 Phone & Fax

230 Central Street

Newton, MA

Mathnasiam

An article about it: Description and Reviews of Mathnasium

49 Winchester Street Newton Highland, MA 02461
(617) 340-3665

p.s. Other Newton Guides:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton

March 13, 2012
Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area
A toddler gymnastics class was something that all my three kids did. I think I did it to tire them out and for my own sanity because it got us out of the house into the company of adults. Over the years, we’ve been to most of these places either for a class or a birthday party. There are a few requisites that I now have on my list as I select a gymnastics studio:
- Good parking.
- Safe, clean gymnastics space.
- Friendly instructors who can get my kid to come inside.
- Adequate space for waiting with younger siblings including seating for me.
- Adequate space to store kid’s shoes.
That’s it. I went to high school with a world class gymnast named Rhonda Schwandt. Her dad taught Driver’s Dd at the high school and he actually taught me to drive. She placed 6th in the Pan Am games one year prior to the Olympics. She was slated to go to the Olympics too but that was the year we boycotted because the then Soviet Union was the host country. By her senior year, Rhonda’s knees and one shoulder were shot and she had been through numerous surgeries. I met her on the swim team because she was only allowed to swim as rehab exercise. It turns out that she was a fast sprinter and an amazing diver. Rhonda went on to UCLA on a full ride but I heard that she was never healthy enough to compete again.

That’s my cautionary tale against hard core gymnastics for girls. And here is a list of all the great places for kids to do gymnastics in Newton.

Energy Fitness and Gymnastics, 70 Jaconnet Street (off Needham Street)

We’ve gone here for years. It has all the requirements including great gymnastics classes for toddlers and they don’t have a competitive team. They are very nice too!

Exxcel Gymnastics and Climbing, 88 Wells Avenue

This is the place if you do want to do a competitive team. They also do lots of birthday parties!

TumbleKids, 201 Arlington St in Watertown (near Target)

I went here when I lived in the city. If price point is an issue, this is the place for you. They are very nice and the prices are very reasonable.

Needham Gymnastics, Needham High School’s “New” Gym

Creative Movement and Arts Center, 145 Rosemary Street (Needham)

We took a class here and the set up is very nice. It’s has all the elements for keeping a toddler or preschooler happy!

My Gym, 188 Needham Street

We took classes here and my kids still love going here for birthday parties.

Gymboree, 225 Highland Ave, Needham

There was one in Newton but it’s gone. We used to go there for birthday parties. It’s similar to My Gym.

Rhythmic Dreams Gymnastics, 1137 Washington Street

My daughter spent a year here doing Rhythmic Gymnastics. They are very successful at training Junior Olympic hopefuls!

Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton

They offer beginning gymnastic classes.

p.s. More Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton
February 27, 2012
Best Tutors, Private Coaches, Music Teachers etc.

I hate to tell you how many tutors I hire for my 3 kids. It’s a little embarrassing because it’s quite a lot but I do use tutors to teach my kids things that I can not and/or to help them when they don’t want my help. I am known to do a long, investigative search to find the right match for my kids so I decided to share my Rolodex of Newton Tutors, Teachers and Coaches. I am sure there are other wonderful ones out there. Will you share? Please do by leaving a comment and I’ll update the list.

Requests for Referrals:

— My Mom Friend Melissa is seeking a Voice coach for her 6th grade daughter.

— My Mom Friend Penny is seeking a piano teacher for her 4th grade daughter.

p.s. A great source for an academic tutor: hire from a school that your child doesn’t attend. Ask your teacher for referrals!

p.p.s Here’s a post on How To: Select a Music Teacher

Best Flute Teacher: Barbara Nakazawa (Newton Highlands)

Best Classical Guitar Teacher: Dan Ascadi (Nonantum)

Best Soccer Private Coach: Ahead of the Game

Best Academic (Math but also other subjects) Peer Tutor: Lily Skerjl (email me for her info, she’s an 8th grader and she tutors my 6th grader)

Best Math or Reading Tutors for Boys: Hire teachers from Fessenden School

Best Spanish Tutor: Spanish by Martha.

Best Mandarin Chinese Tutor: Stella Pan (email me for her info, no website)

Cynthia Carpenter for Reading:

I’m a “retired” Brookline, Lexington, and Concord and New York City teacher, with 30 years experience teaching grades Pre-K through high school. In addition to having taught in elementary classrooms and as a middle and high school English teacher, I’m a certified Reading Specialist (providing consulting to teachers, direct support to students, and doing diagnostic testing.)

I have a Master’s + 70 post-grad credits in Education, Comparative Literature, and Art History, and my classrooms have served as placement sites for many student teachers. I am especially interested in multicultural teaching, received a Lowell Scholarship to study Linguistics at Harvard, and am listed as an “executive functioning” specialist on the Concord SEPAC website.

Cynthia Carpenter
(978) 952-8871

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

February 8, 2012
Best Preschools in Newton UPDATED
Preschools, Day Care, Toddler Care in Newton

This list is from Newton’s Wikipedia page. I noticed that it’s not a comprehensive list, so please add in any preschools that you know as a comment and I’ll add the link to the page. We think this is a comprehensive list of all the preschools (Montesorri, Cooperative, Day Care, Home Preschools, etc. ) that we know of. We don’t know what the “best” preschools are; that’s very subjective but I think it starts by looking at a lot of preschools and taking time to really spend time in the classroom. Look for clues like how clean the bathrooms are and how the rooms are decorated. Ask if there are parents from your neighborhood and then track them down for their honest opinion.

Leave a comment to ask a question. Also, please leave comments about your preschool experience. Thanks!

Here are other links on preschools:

How To: Pick a Preschool

Top 10 Starting Kindergarten or Preschool Picture Books

Why Preschool Helps You Get a Job

Preparing for Kindergarten: Activities to do With Your Child

Newton Preschools: A Comprehensive List
- Rosenshine Nursery School, Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Waban
- Capability:Mom posted her experience here.
- Presbyterian Church Nursery School 75 Vernon Street
- Temple Beth Avodah Nursery School, 45 Puddingstone Lane
- Beth-El Pre-School, 561 Ward St.
- Burr Cooperative Nursery School, 64 Hancock St., Auburndale
- The Teddy Bear Club Preschool, 1466 Commonwealth Ave, West Newton. French bilingual program, meaning half of the instruction (including all literacy) is taught in English. Accepting toddlers starting at 22 months
- Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center, Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton St.
- The Children’s Cooperative Nursery School, 848 Beacon St.
- Temple Shalom Nursery School, 175 Temple St. (Many of my non-Jewish Mom friends send their kids here. Great proximity to Peirce Elementary School and just a great place for kids).
- Walnut Park Montessori School, 47 Walnut Park (All my Mom Friends who went here were happy)
- Auburndale Community Nursery School, 230 Central St.
- Rockwell Nursery School at Lasell College, 70 Studio Road (Full day preschool used to teach Lasell students about Early Childhood Education.)
- The Barn at Lasell College, 1844 Commonwealth Ave, Auburndale (daycare)
- Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham Street
- Parkside Preschool, 474 Centre Street, Newton Corner (I have one Mom Friend whose two kids went here. She was very happy with it).
- The Preschool Experience, 1091 Centre Street (I’ve always heard great things about this preschool but don’t actually know anyone who went there)
- Upper Falls Nursery School, 45 Pettee St, Newton Upper Falls
- Bilingual Beginnings at Pine Village Preschool 1326 Washington Street, West Newton (Spanish Immersion)
- West Newton Children’s Center Washington St, West Newton (gives a lot of flexibility in term of what hours you want)
- Little Red Wagon Playschool 50 Winchester Street, Newton Highlands
- Second Church Nursery School, 60 Highland Street, West Newton Hills
- Bowen Cooperative Nursery School, 96 Otis Street, Newtonville (Two of my kids went here. The teachers are fantastic but the coop format is not for everyone. Also, very short days.)
- Brookline Infant Toddler Center (BITC), 1900 Commonwealth Ave, Auburndale (My two oldest went here. It’s great if you need infant child care and full day coverage.) My neighbor Kathleen says, “Our sons went to Brookline Infant Toddler Center (BITC) at the corner of Auburn street and Commonwealth ave. It has been a number of years but we loved it. “
- Plowshares, 457 Walnut Street, Newtonville. At Newton North High School, Franklin Elementary School, and Lincoln-Elliot Elementary School.
- Newton School for Children, 25 Lenglen Rd # 2
- Golden Days Children’s Center, 66 Needham Street
- Happy Child Day Care and Preschool, 1191 Chestnut Street
- JAMS Preschool, 1671 Beacon Street, Waban (will take very young preschoolers and everyone I know who went there loves it)
- Longfellow Preschool, 777 Dedham Street, at Mount Ida College
- Suzuki Preschool, 1860 Washington St, Newton
- Camp Echo Bridge Preschool, 124 Vernon Street, Newton
- Hills and Falls Cooperative, 258 Concord Street, Newton Lower Falls (My summer camp director teaches here and she’s wonderful)
- Echo Falls Preschool, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls
- Newton Child Care, 225 Nevada, West Newton
- Barbara’s Day Care, 404 Homer Street
- Meeting House Child Care, 848 Beacon Street
- Newton Montessori, 80 Crescent Avenue (I’ve also heard good things about this school)
- Children’s Corner at Newton Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington St, Waban (A Mom Friend was very happy here. They have 12 hour coverage also because they provide child care for medical staff but you don’t need to work there to go here)
- Newton Creative Start, 573-B Washington Street, Watertown
- Newton School for Children, 25 Lenglen Road, Newton Corner
- Victorian Montesorri, 3 Curtis St , Newton Highlands
- Newton Early Childhood Program, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville
- Panda Cub Academy (Mandarin Chinese immersion preschool), 1200 Boylston Street, Brookline/Chestnut Hill
- Weekday Nursery School, 54 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands
- Jewish Creative Preschool, 349 Dedham Street, Newton, MA 02459
- Saplings Preschool, 0 Carlton Rd, Waban, MA 02468
Preschools Specifically for Toddlers in Newton

These two three schools are for 2 year olds who are typically too young for most preschools where you must be 2.6 years old in September.

Toddler Loving Care

66 Walnut Street

West Newton

My neighbor says, “When your little one gets a little older keep “Toddler Loving Care” on your list. It is a fantastic preschool. It is the multicolored Victorian building near the Ed Center on Walnut Street. Our youngest Sammy went there.” (Ann)

Jams in Waban

1671 Beacon St

Newton, Ma 02168

My mom friends were very happy at Jams. They typically used JAMS for a pre-preschool before moving them to the preschool where their older siblings were.

Green Peas Toddler Care in Newton Centre

My mom friend Katherine raved about Green Peas. It’s a half day 1, 2 or 3 mornings a week. She described it as “very sweet” and especially liked the tiny yogurt and other healthy items for snack. Her kids did a year here before preschool and she highly recommended it to me.

Saplings Preschool in Waban

We are a nurturing play and theme based program geared towards the 2 year old and offer an enriching curriculum in a beautiful indoor/outdoor space in Waban.

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton
February 4, 2012
A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations in and around Newton UPDATED
Birthday party planning need not be daunting. Here are lots of ideas for your child’s birthday! Did I miss any? Please let me know and I’ll add to the list!

p.s. More ideas here from Boston Central.

10. Private Baby Animal Petting Zoo. Barn Babies. This particular petting zoo was pretty amazing. We hired them twice for birthday parties (2 of my kids), and they visited my preschool twice. What is amazing about them is that they have enough baby animals — bunnies, kittens, puppies, goat, chicks, ducklings, pig — so that every child can hold a swaddled baby animal for as long as they like. When they want to switch animals, another one gets placed into their arms. The kittens, puppies, and bunnies are eventually adopted but I hate to ask what happens to the chicks, ducklings, goat and pig. The baby goat has a Depends diaper on and a child can walk it around on a leash. They can do parties indoors or out. They don’t advertise but you’d be wise to book early as they get booked up fast. They are based on the Cape.

9. Trampoline. Launch Trampoline Park in Watertown. This is a new franchise that came our way last year and has become hugely popular. Headcount on each gigantic trampoline is closely monitored.

8. Trapeze. My oldest went to this party and had a blast even though she says she is scared of heights. My middle child is booking this for her next birthday. I hope I don’t have to do it!

7. Go Diego Go! home party. I did an elaborate Diego themed home party that took me 6 weeks to plan. I wrote it up and submitted to a Birthday Party site but now I can’t locate it. I printed out coloring sheets from Diego website and stapled it into on side of a blue file folder as a “Field Journal.” I also made a drawing of a keyboard and stapled that on the other side. I got Beenie Babies that matched the footprints and made a scavenger hunt out of that by putting footprints all over the house and backyard. The kids decorated paper towel rolls to make Spy Glasses. They used their Spy Glasses for the scavenger hunt. I hired Barn Babies as entertainment. The final stop was an extra basket of Beenie Babies for trading in case the Beenie Baby you found was not the one you wanted. The kids were only three.

6. Cookie decorating. Cookies by Design. This was the first time we had done this and my middle daughter chose this for her last birthday but it can easily be done at home. The kids had premixed sugar cookie dough to roll out and cut cookies. This was actually the most popular station. They also got colored bags of icing and decorated a plate of baked cookies. Finally, they decorated an apron using fabric markers.

5. Laser tag. This was a popular birthday party that is now a little passé though kids always seem to have fun playing laser tag. We just discovered the Mother Lode of Laser Tag locations, called Laser Quest, that has multiple floors of Laser Tag mazes. It’s in West Roxbury but it’s worth the drive!

4. Jewelry party. Home and at bead store (our two local bead stores are out of business). I did this party at home using stretchy string from the bead store. Each little girl and their mother strung a necklace and a bracelet. I think I tried this party for preschoolers which was a tad too young. I needed other activities like coloring sheets and games because the kids were either really fast at making the crafts or easily bored. My oldest went to a bead store for a birthday party at 5th grade and all the girls made beautiful necklaces. Some did not finish in the time allotted due to intricate designs.

3. Pseudo sky diving. My Mom Friend Julie’s son did this as a Middle Schooler. She said that all the boys LOVED it. The pseudo sky diving using some kind of gigantic fan to create a wind tunnel capable of suspending a person in the air to simulate sky diving. That’s my kind of sky diving: the safe kind.

2. Aquarium. On or off site. Both parties have been hits. We had a party at the Aquarium one year for my oldest when she was in preschool that, unfortunately, coincided with a gigantic snowstorm. Nevertheless, most of the guests made it to the Aquarium for the party. They do a great job letting kids touch sea creatures and it’s also educational! Our aquarium takes the show on the road and will travel to your birthday site. We went to a party that hired them and was also fabulous!

1. Cooking. Create A Cook. We have a cooking school for kids in town, but this can easily be done at home. The parties usually have a food theme with each child making about three items that they can bring home to share. I love that my child is learning to cook. Themes can be anything from breakfast, Thai, Japanese and Italian. And it’s not just for girls. Boys, as it turns out, love the hands on “making stuff” aspect.

Here are more party ideas that we’ve attended or hosted. I hope it helps you plan the perfect party for your child!

Bowling, karate (Giroux Brothers Martial Arts, Esposito’s, Masters of Karate), gymnastics (My Gym, Energy Fitness and Gymnastics, Exxcel) , Museum of Natural History, paint pottery/plaster, video game/Chuckie E Cheese, sewing, knitting, paint ball, swimming (make sure to have plenty of lifeguards!), sleepover, ice skating, snow tubing, ice cream party at parlour (Coney Island, Lizzies, Cabots), Mad Scientist, magician, Puppet theater, movie, mini golf, old fashioned games at home (pass the shoe, scavenger piñata, etc), soccer games, rock climbing (also at BU), dress up (renting a dress up trunk), water slide/bouncy house, water park, farm, sports at YMCA, TOMB, art/ceramics at art school, dance at dance studio (All That Jazz), dance party at home, hip hop dance party, sewing party, Game Truck. There’s a second sewing studio in Newton. Boxing birthday parties at Nonantum Boxing Club. Escape the Room in Boston for an interactive game party where the group has to solve puzzles to escape the room. Boda Borg is a fun puzzle solving multi-room gaming party too.

We just tried an archery birthday party at Bay State Archery and it was really fun. It’s in Norwood. Jump On In has been really popular with kids ages 6 through 9. My boxing gym will do birthday parties. Any kind of sports games party at your location/local park or at YMCA. Jump’n’Slide Center just opened in Wells Avenue; they have activities including arcade castle, huge inflatables, Laser Maze, Cannonball Shooting range, Lego room, make crafts:
- Make a working, punched tin lantern and punched tin art
- Weave friendship bracelets and bookmarks
- Craft a journal or diary
at Durant-Kenrick House & Grounds of Historic Newton.

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton
February 4, 2012
Best Martial Arts Schools in Newton for Kids and Adults

My kids have been taking Karate for several years with Giroux Brothers Martial Arts and one thing that really impresses me about this studio is the older students who are unfailingly polite, accomplished and kind to small children. The style is called Chun Kuk Do which is the style of Chuck Norris. I also studied kickboxing with Steve Giroux. We think he’s great and really wonderful teacher for kids.

There are two other Karate studios that my kids’ friends’ moms also rave about: Espositos and Master’s of Karate. I went to a birthday party for little boys at Master’s of Karate and I thought the Sensei there was wonderful with children. I am taking Kickboxing at Espositos with Rich with my two girls and it’s both a really intense but fun workout and training session in self-defense. Rich runs the children’s program and is also great with kids.

There is also Oom Yung Doe which teaches 8 martial arts to kids and adults: Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Samurai, Bagwa Chung, Jiu Jitsu, Tai Chi Chung, Ship Pal Gae, and Kung Fu.

For more on How Karate Helps Kids Succeed, check out the right hand column of Giroux Brothers Martials Arts’ new blog. Confidence, self-control, self-discipline, setting and accomplishing goals, are some of the by products of karate that children benefit from.

How to Find a Martial Art for Your Child

Karate Kids: The Benefits of Martial Arts

Here’s a short primer on some of the common styles of martial arts from Better Homes and Gardens:

“choosing a style

One of the great allures of martial arts is the huge variety of styles. Here’s a brief explanation of some of the most popular ones:

Aikido is a gentler self-defense style that emphasizes mental acuity, good breathing, relaxation techniques, and timing. In essence it focuses on finding the body’s spiritual center, as well its physical center of gravity. Techniques include throws and joint locks.

Judo teaches the principle of using your opponent’s strength against him, rather than relying solely on your own. It’s highly physical with foot, leg, and hand strikes as well as throwing and falling.

Karate is a broad term that covers hundreds of styles that employ highly rehearsed strikes and blows using both your hands and your feet.

Kickboxing is a strenuous, high-contact sport that requires more protective gear than other disciplines. It emphasizes muscle flexibility and control, particularly in the legs and feet. Kickboxing can be slow-paced or fast and is growing in popularity.

Tae Kwon Do combines the art of hand and foot fighting. Two techniques kids love to learn in this discipline are breaking boards and sparring with opponents”

I studied a little Aikido and Tai Kwon Do. Aikido is so precise in technique that to be an effective weapon for self defense, you have to be pretty advanced. It’s better for adults. Tae Kwon Do has more kicks in the the repertoire and is not as effective for street fighting though it IS an Olympic sport. Kickboxing doesn’t have the belt structure, so it’s great for kids who don’t want to memorize forms and work their way up a belt system.

Karate is the catch up to pretty much describe any martial art, particularly for kids.Some have weapons and some don’t, so be sure to ask. I find that kids like learning how to handle weapons like a Bo Staff or swords but they must work their way fairly high up though the belt system before being allowed to touch one. I think that’s a great incentive to motivate children to progress. I know my daughter was excited to finally learn the Bo Staff at Giroux Brothers which indicated she was about half way to her junior black belt.

Here are more places to study martial arts:

J. H. Kim Tae Kwon Do – he has multiple studios throughout Boston.

Calvin Chin Martial Arts Academy – I saw them perform at a Chinatown event and they were impressive!

Gracie Barra Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – I’ve only seen adults here.

Oom Yung Doe – This is new to Newton and seems to more adult oriented.

Clark’s Self Defense – Walk in to inquire. I called several times when researching a karate studio and no one ever returned my call.

Nonantum Boxing Club – My Dad Friend who is a Golden Gloves champion recommended a trainer to me. He’s very happy here.

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton

February 4, 2012

Address:	200 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459 Map
Phone:	(617) 332-8243
Fax:	(617) 244-5177
E-Mail:	Administration@russianschool.com
Vice Principal:	Ralitsa Dimitrova

Category: Guides to Newton

Best Pho That Delivers to Newton

Best Middle Eastern Food That Delivers to Newton

Best Pizza That Delivers to Newton

Best Chinese That Delivers to Newton

Best Indian Delivery in Newton

Best Thai Delivery in Newton

Best Brazilian That Delivers to Newton

Best Japanese that Delivers to Newton

Best Dim Sum

Best Soup Dumplings

Best Asian “Starbucks”

Best Cantonese Seafood

Best Chinese Cake Bakery

Best Chinese Pastry Bakery

Best Roasted Meat Shop

Best Vietnamese Sandwich Shop

Praline

Walnut Market

Arak Market

Kiki’s Kwik-Mart

Sophia’s Greek Pantry

Linda’s Hand Cut Donuts: Breakfast & Sandwich Shop

Fastachi

Owen’s Poultry Farm

Volante Farm

Russo’s Market

Great Harvest Bread

De Pasquale’s Sausage Company

Bread and Chocolate

Rosenfeld’s Bagels

Antoine’s Bakery

Icing on the Cake

L’Aroma Cafe

Preschools, Day Care, Toddler Care in Newton

Newton Preschools: A Comprehensive List

Preschools Specifically for Toddlers in Newton