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The Cooperative Nursery School is a joyful, nurturing place where children learn through play and discovery.
What is a cooperative preschool?
What is a cooperative preschool?
A cooperative preschool is an early childhood education program where parents or caregivers take a significant, hands-on role in the daily operations of the school. As a cooperative school, parents play an active role in the classroom and community. This unique structure not only strengthens connections among families, but also offers parents meaningful ways to support and better understand their children’s early learning and growth.
In this model, parents are responsible not only for contributing time and effort in the classroom, but also for maintaining the school environment, supporting the teachers, and fostering a collaborative community.
The success of a cooperative preschool hinges on the commitment and active involvement of parents, who volunteer regularly, contribute to administrative duties, and help manage school events. This shared responsibility creates a strong network of families, supported by teachers, ensuring a rich, community-oriented learning experience for children at CNS.
Our schoolhouse
Our schoolhouse
At CNS, our schoolhouse and grounds are an essential part of the program, designed for children to explore, experiment, and care for. Nestled on the wooded grounds of the Unitarian Society of Germantown, the stone cottage is surrounded by tall trees and soft earth.
Outdoors, children enjoy wooden play structures, a large sandbox, paved areas for riding and ball games, a creek, gardens, hideaways, and natural spaces for discovery.
Indoors, warm, inviting materials create a welcoming environment for dramatic play, building, and hands-on learning, with children’s work thoughtfully displayed throughout.
Our history
Our history
Established in 1967, the Cooperative Nursery School is a non-profit, parent-owned and -operated preschool. Parents play an active role in every part of the school—working alongside teachers, serving on committees, helping set policies, recruiting families, preparing snacks, and more.
The school was founded as a place where families from across the community could come together, learn from one another, and share responsibility. More than 50 years later, that spirit remains at the heart of CNS.
CNS gave our child such a joyful start to learning. The teachers nurtured curiosity and confidence every day, and we loved the strong sense of community among families.
CNS gave our child such a joyful start to learning. The teachers nurtured curiosity and confidence every day, and we loved the strong sense of community among families.
–Meryl L., Upstairs Circle parent, 2024-2025
Land acknowledgment
Land acknowledgment
We respectfully acknowledge that CNS is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Lenni-Lenape people. We honor the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and this land. As a school community, we are committed to learning from and supporting Indigenous voices, histories, and cultures.
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