Our Programs

The preschool years are times of tremendous growth for all children. The teachers at the Clarence Co-operative Nursery School use techniques that allow for the children to learn core concepts while engaging in fun, hands-on activities. Circle time lessons and their complimentary activities work together to teach letter and number identification and writing, sound-to-letter matches (early phonics), early math concepts, counting with one-to-one correspondence, recording numeric data, patterns, proper pencil grip, and using scissors properly. A combination of music, messy play, purposeful crafts, science experiments, puzzles, math manipulatives, and sign language all foster fine and gross motor skill development, while simultaneously reinforcing the lesson of the day. Early social studies concepts and art projects are woven into the core curriculum. Active play, whether in the indoor “choice room” or on the playground, rounds out the school day by encouraging socialization.  All of these elements combined make for a beautiful child-centric program that will thoroughly prepare your child for kindergarten.  

Every-day classroom learning is enhanced by including the families that make up the Co-op. Each student, on a rotating basis, has the opportunity to be “kid of the day” where their parent(s) can attend class with them, their birthday can be celebrated, and a show-and-tell item can be brought to share with the class during circle time. The students also celebrate their moms and dads during Dad’s Night and the Mother’s Day Tea. Students and their parent(s) can also attend optional field trips to the dentist, fire department, and local farms.