Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a cooperative nursery school?
A cooperative (parent participation) nursery school is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory, democratic organization of parents concerned with the welfare of all preschool children. Each family shares in the planning and operation of the school. Parents participate in the daily program on a rotating basis, serving as assistants to professional preschool school teachers. Our cooperative nursery school is one in which the parents assume the many responsibilities of nursery school administration. This means that all activities pertaining to the functioning of the school are in our hands. The active participation of every parent is needed to accomplish these numerous and varied activities. Therefore, each family performs certain duties in addition to working as a parent-teacher at school.
What is the learning environment?
Our cooperative nursery school provides a healthy, safe and varied environment in which your child can develop socially, as well as physically, emotionally and mentally. Our school follows a developmental, hands-on approach to learning. Children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks and explore the indoor and outdoor classrooms. Age appropriate academics and risks are thoughtfully integrated into our classes to give children the skills and self confidence needed to ensure a smooth transition to Kindergarten. Parents participate in their child's classroom one day a week, and hold a yearly job role which contributes to the overall functioning of our school and enriches our sense of community.
What teaching methods are used?
Our Staff supports child-led learning. Parents provide enriching process-oriented activities. We believe children benefit from spending large blocks of time outdoors, and their development is optimized through child-initiated activities, with teacher support. In the outdoors, children use bikes, and climbing equipment to learn how to use their body effectively and to experience the satisfaction of learning a new skill. Sand and water and the ability to creatively use ‘loose parts’, foster self expression and sensory pleasure by working with different mediums. Recent findings in brain development additionally show a direct correlation between what a child does physically and in future academic abilities such as reading, writing, mathematics and creativity. At FPNS, we champion the idea of giving our students the freedom to venture outside whenever they choose, in every season and weather.
How can parents get involved?
The idea of cooperation goes further than the means by which the school operates. A school such as ours cannot function without thoughtful consideration of one another. Working together as a team is what most of us particularly enjoy in our school. We help each other by switching work days when another parent has such a need, by working out transportation problems, by volunteering for necessary duties and by being considerate of others. It is hoped that through your participation with other parents and their children in a variety of activities, you will develop a network of support and lasting friendships.
What is the style of leadership?
Our Executive Director, our families and our Board share responsibility for the program. One of the basic tenets of co-op philosophy is shared leadership whereby each participant feels a responsibility to make the group work. There is not only acceptance of individual differences, but faith that the real strength of the group can only be realized when each individual feels free to make his own contribution in an atmosphere of real acceptance.
What is a cooperative nursery school?
A cooperative (parent participation) nursery school is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory, democratic organization of parents concerned with the welfare of all preschool children. Each family shares in the planning and operation of the school. Parents participate in the daily program on a rotating basis, serving as assistants to professional preschool school teachers. Our cooperative nursery school is one in which the parents assume the many responsibilities of nursery school administration. This means that all activities pertaining to the functioning of the school are in our hands. The active participation of every parent is needed to accomplish these numerous and varied activities. Therefore, each family performs certain duties in addition to working as a parent-teacher at school.
What is the learning environment?
Our cooperative nursery school provides a healthy, safe and varied environment in which your child can develop socially, as well as physically, emotionally and mentally. Our school follows a developmental, hands-on approach to learning. Children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks and explore the indoor and outdoor classrooms. Age appropriate academics and risks are thoughtfully integrated into our classes to give children the skills and self confidence needed to ensure a smooth transition to Kindergarten. Parents participate in their child's classroom one day a week, and hold a yearly job role which contributes to the overall functioning of our school and enriches our sense of community.
What teaching methods are used?
Our Staff supports child-led learning. Parents provide enriching process-oriented activities. We believe children benefit from spending large blocks of time outdoors, and their development is optimized through child-initiated activities, with teacher support. In the outdoors, children use bikes, and climbing equipment to learn how to use their body effectively and to experience the satisfaction of learning a new skill. Sand and water and the ability to creatively use ‘loose parts’, foster self expression and sensory pleasure by working with different mediums. Recent findings in brain development additionally show a direct correlation between what a child does physically and in future academic abilities such as reading, writing, mathematics and creativity. At FPNS, we champion the idea of giving our students the freedom to venture outside whenever they choose, in every season and weather.
How can parents get involved?
The idea of cooperation goes further than the means by which the school operates. A school such as ours cannot function without thoughtful consideration of one another. Working together as a team is what most of us particularly enjoy in our school. We help each other by switching work days when another parent has such a need, by working out transportation problems, by volunteering for necessary duties and by being considerate of others. It is hoped that through your participation with other parents and their children in a variety of activities, you will develop a network of support and lasting friendships.
What is the style of leadership?
Our Executive Director, our families and our Board share responsibility for the program. One of the basic tenets of co-op philosophy is shared leadership whereby each participant feels a responsibility to make the group work. There is not only acceptance of individual differences, but faith that the real strength of the group can only be realized when each individual feels free to make his own contribution in an atmosphere of real acceptance.
