Small Biz Profile: Woodsedge Children's Center

Woodsedge Children’s Center has morphed over the years as it accommodated the merging of two other nonprofit programs in town, as they’re retired or the business needed reinforcing.

Located at 41 Prides Crossing Road, Sudbury, the six-acre property often offers wild turkey and deer sightings for the students.


With an undergraduate degree in early childhood education and a Master’s in organizational leadership and change, Owner Jackie Downing assessed preschools for the National Association for Education of Young Children for eight years, and has worked in early childhood education for more than 30 years. She also chairs the Early Childhood Advisory Committee at Minuteman Technical School

“My spare time is spent being active as a lion, with fitness, cooking and outdoor activities,” said Downing.

When did you open? 1987, when my oldest of three children began kindergarten.

What made you decide to open this type of business? And why this location? When I decided to start a children’s center it was because, as a mom, I didn’t see what I wanted for my child. I wanted a preschool with an extended day. That was 27 years ago. The concept of a preschool with extended day is actually still hard to find as a “big box” mentality permeates the preschool industry and the individualization of early childhood services continually become diluted by efficiencies of mass production. I looked and looked for space and finally found a home for sale on the Marlborough side of Sudbury that fit the bill. The family had raised 10 children in the house and was charmed to know that it would accommodate many children in the future as they wanted the active spirit of the home to continue.


What do you like best about it? Children naturally need to have space to run, pretend, create, climb, explore and be a child! I looked at many “warehouse” spaces, spaces with parking lot playgrounds and even some with no natural light. Growing up spending most of my time outside, I wanted that for my children as well as those who would attend my school. I like the fact that every day is different, every year classroom dynamics are different and the personal connections made with families are enduring. Early childhood education is challenging and very rewarding.


Biggest struggle? The biggest struggle is supplying an affordable yet top quality service.

What do you see for the future? Like many small businesses, private nonprofit children’s programs will become few and far between because they do not enjoy the economies of scale of being a multi-site for profit program. The positive fact is that as longitudinal research on early childhood education has begun to be published, educated families are looking for some of the individualizing and classic developmental base afforded by a smaller not for profit school.


Politics and small business: how does government affect your business? Year by year new state licensing requirements always come with a price tag. I have researched some of these new requirements and often a strong lobbying effort by a seller in the industry has pushed through a requirement that causes a particular item such as cribs or playground equipment to be replaced for an obscure reason.


Name another local business you’d send customers to: We are all about healthy snacks and fitness at Woodsedge. That said, a person has to enjoy themselves. Madrid Bakery on Boston Post Road has cake and macaroons made with the best ingredients. Worth the indulgence!

Know a small business in Sudbury that deserves the spotlight? Tell us about that, or any other news and tips, at charlene.arsenault@patch.com.