What are the age requirements and schedules?

We offer programs for children aged 2 to 6 years old. Children must reach the minimum age for their class by September 1st. We offer three core morning schedules (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM):

• 5 Days a week (M-F)

• 3 Days a week (M/W/F)

• 2 Days a week (T/Th)

Do you offer an extended day?

Yes! For students aged 3.5 and older, we offer an Extended Day on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 2:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for older children to engage in longer periods of social play and discovery.

Does my child need to be potty trained?

No. We support every child’s individual development, and potty training is not a requirement for enrollment.

What is a cooperative nursery school?

A co-op is a non-profit, parent-run community where families and professional teachers partner together. At FPNS, parents are the heart of our operations.

What this means for you:

• Weekly Classroom Participation: One parent or relative works in the classroom once a week, serving as an assistant to our professional teachers.

• Shared Leadership: Beyond the classroom, every family helps run the school—from administration to daily operations.

• A True Community: We are a democratic, inclusive organization where every parent’s active participation ensures the school thrives.

By sharing these duties, we provide a high-quality, hands-on learning environment for our children while keeping our community connected.

What makes a "co-op" preschool different from a traditional school?

Unlike traditional schools where you simply drop off your child, a co-op invites you to be an active partner in the school’s success. You are a true partner in your child's education, gaining a "front-row seat" to their daily development while building lifelong friendships with other families. At FPNS, your unique ideas, activities, and talents aren't just welcomed—they are vital to our program, helping our school thrive while enriching our children’s learning experience.

What are my classroom participation responsibilities?

One parent or relative works in the classroom once per week (one day per enrolled child). On your workdays, you’ll arrive between 8:40 and 8:50 AM and stay for 10 minutes after dismissal to help wrap up the day. Note: Working family members must provide the required vaccination and licensing paperwork.

What kind of "Family Job" will I have?

Every family contributes to the school's operations by holding a board position or an assigned parent job (such as doing laundry, field trip planning, first aid kit replenishment, etc). These jobs are selected at the beginning of the year based on your skills and interests.

What are the Parent Education and Maintenance requirements?

• Parent Education: One parent must participate in two education nights per trimester as part of our shared commitment to student growth.

• Maintenance: One family member must attend a maintenance day per trimester (adults only) to help keep our campus safe and beautiful.

What if both parents work full-time?

Many of our parents work full-time! Most families handle the weekly classroom requirement by coordinating their work schedules or having a grandparent fulfill the shift.

If you are unable to fulfill the classroom work component, you can apply to our Working Parents Program (WPP). This program provides additional flexibility by allowing you to opt out of your weekly classroom hours.

How do I join the WPP?

Acceptance depends on current enrollment and is at the discretion of the Director and classroom teachers. All spots require joint approval from the Board of Directors. Please get in touch with the Director to inquire about availability.

Do I still have other membership requirements if I am part of WPP?

Yes. Even if you are in the WPP, all other membership duties must be fulfilled to keep the co-op running smoothly. These include:

• School Job: Holding a specific board/parent job position.

• Fundraising: Meeting the annual fundraising requirements.

• Maintenance: Completing your required maintenance hours.

• Education: Attending the required parent education sessions.

How do field trips work for WPP families?

You can either attend class field trips with your child or make arrangements with another family to supervise them. To ensure safety, we ask that families take responsibility for no more than one additional child from another family during these trips.

How much is tuition?

Tuition is an annual amount, conveniently charged monthly (September–May):

• 5-Day Core: $820/mo

• 3-Day Core: $518/mo

• 2-Day Core: $362/mo

• T/Th Extended Day (until 2:00 PM): $240/mo

• Working Parents Program: $236/mo

How do I pay tuition?

We use Brightwheel for all payments. You can pay via ACH or credit/debit card (standard fees apply), or you may drop a physical check in the tuition box near the office to avoid transaction fees.

What are the fees beyond tuition?

• Application Fee: $75 (New families only; non-refundable).

• Performance Deposit: $250 (Refundable at the end of the year upon meeting participation requirements).

• Membership Dues: $250 (Annual).

• Fundraising Commitment: $250

Is Fundraising mandatory?

As a non-profit co-op, fundraising is at the heart of how we nurture our school and grow our play spaces. These efforts allow us to keep tuition affordable while continuing to enrich our classrooms and outdoor nature areas for our children. To support these goals, each family has a $250 annual fundraising requirement.

This goal is easily achievable through a variety of fun, rotating opportunities throughout the year, including:

• Community Partnerships: Supporting businesses like Mabel’s Labels, Farm2You, and our Shoot Photography sessions.

• Dine Out to Donate: Supporting local restaurants during our scheduled "Dine Out" nights where a percentage of sales is donated back to the school.

• Spirit Wear: Purchasing school-branded apparel and clothing items.

• Special Events: Participating in seasonal community-building activities and fundraising events (like our Messy Fun Fair).

• Direct Support: For families who prefer a streamlined approach, you may fulfill your fundraising requirement through a one-time direct donation at the start of the year. This provides a simple way to support our school’s growth while offering flexibility for your family’s busy schedule.

By participating in these efforts, you play a direct role in ensuring our school continues to flourish for our children!

Is FPNS a nut-free school?

Yes. To ensure the safety of all our students, we are a strictly nut-free school. All snacks brought from home must be completely free of peanuts and tree nuts.

What about other dietary restrictions or allergies?

We want every child to feel safe and included! We take careful note of all dietary needs—including milk, gluten, egg, and other specific sensitivities—especially for our classroom activities. We maintain a detailed list of individual requirements so that our hands-on cooking projects are inclusive and safe for everyone. If your child has a dietary concern, we will work closely with your family to ensure they can safely participate in every part of our program.

Does the school provide all snacks?

No, to ensure every child has something they enjoy and that meets their specific needs, we ask that parents pack a simple, healthy, and nut-free snack for their child each day.

What is your wellness policy?

We prioritize the health of our community. We ask that children and participating parents stay home if they are showing signs of illness. We follow all local health department guidelines to maintain a clean and safe environment for our families.

How do we join the FPNS community?

We are excited to partner with families who share our passion for play-based learning! Our enrollment process is designed to help us get to know each other:

1. Tour / Open House: Visit our classroom with your child to experience the space and meet our teachers.

2. Interest Confirmation: Let us know you’d like to move forward with enrollment.

3. Check-In Meeting: A 15–20 minute meeting to review expectations, clarify the working parent role, and answer any of your questions.

4. Application & Deposit: Secured on a first-come, first-served basis once the application fee and enrollment deposit are received.

5. Paperwork: Complete all required forms before your child’s first day.

Where is FPNS located?

You can find us at 4200 Alder Ave, Fremont CA where our classroom and nature-filled play spaces are designed specifically for little explorers. We love serving our neighbors in Fremont and the surrounding Tri-City area, providing a community-centered space where play-based learning truly comes to life.

Ready to see our school in person?

We invite you to contact us to schedule a tour and see our unique outdoor classroom in action!