What is a Co-operative Nursery School?

A co-operative nursery school is run by the parents of the children who attend and offers a unique chance to be actively involved in each child’s education. The classes are taught by experienced and qualified teachers, while the parents assist in the classroom, set up and attend class parties, participate in fundraisers, and more. The parent-run board creates the budget for each school year, sets tuition, manages enrollment, and determines school policy. Parental involvement allows for lower tuition than most other schools in the area. Parents who are active in the school not only get to know the teachers, the other families, and the students, but they get intimate knowledge of what is being learned by the students. There is a strong sense of family that comes from being part of a co-operative community.

As part of the programs at the Clarence Co-operative Nursery School, some of the parental responsibilities include*:

• Assisting in the classroom as the parent of the day when scheduled and providing a healthy snack for the class;
• Volunteering to coordinate or set up for 2-3 holiday parties or activities;
• Attending 3-4 mandatory parent meetings throughout the school year;
• Participating in 2-3 fundraisers per term;
• Driving your child to and from the field trips (field trips are optional);
• Providing some classroom supplies (paper towels, cups, tissues, etc); and
• Providing treats or supplies for holiday parties.

Parents are also encouraged to volunteer for positions on the school board or to act as fundraising chairpersons.

*These parental responsibilities are not part of the District-run UPK Program.