San Anselmo Cooperative Nursery School
Morning Program
The Co-op provides a flexible daily routine, striving to achieve a balance of spontaneity with structure. Cooking, art and science projects are provided by parents so the curriculum is ever-changing and draws upon the experience and knowledge of participants. This structure is the backbone of the community-based philosophy that is the essence of the Coop experience.
In a typical day, the first hour is spent doing activities of the children's choice; they may play inside, outside, or participate in one of the science, art or cooking projects set up by parents. By 10:00am, we split up the older and have them do circle time with teacher Chantal and the younger kids go to snack.
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Parents are all in charge of supplying snack for one week per year, and always consist of an organic fruit or vegetable, a starch and a protein. Once it's announced that snack is served, hands are thoroughly washed, then children sit down with a parent to enjoy some tasty treats.
After snack and circle, children have free choice to stay inside and play, have imaginative play outside in the meadow, be on the swings, bounce on the pogo, or participate in the fun teacher led activities.
The last few minutes of the day are spent in a final Goodbye Circle before children say goodbye and greet their parents at the gate (unless, that is, they are staying for lunch).
An outside music teacher comes in for many sessions during the school year, plus we have really exciting visitors such as Tracy the Animal Guy, a local animal expert who brings small live animals for the children to hold.
We enjoy several traditions, including participating in our town parades, a festive Halloween celebration, Thanksgiving gratitude feast, Pirate's week, and an Easter egg hunt. We do field trips to the Fire Station, Post Office, nearby grocery store, a pumpkin patch, and three days of outdoor school. We also make a point to schedule special visitors like a fireman, Nutcracker ballet dancer, and dentist.
Children are 4.5 years old, moving onto kindergarten, attend our Pre-K program on Friday afternoons. It is not a heavily academic, but has a slightly more structured format than the morning program. It gives the kids an opportunity to interact with the teachers in a small group.
Afternoon Program Highlights
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Available Monday through Thursday
12:05–4:00 p.m.
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There is no Aftercare Program on Fridays
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No more than 14 children per day
Afternoon Program
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The Afternoon Program is an extension of the Co-op. It is run by two very fun, creative and experienced teachers each day for the first ten children, and an additional adult when eleven or more children stay.
The Afternoon Program is a wonderful transition to school for younger children because there are fewer children and it has a slower pace than the morning program.
The afternoon starts with lunch, which the children bring. Then they have lots of time to play and explore, both indoors and outdoors, with art projects, science activities, manipulatives, and dramatic play. At 2:00pm, some children go home. Mid-afternoon, everyone comes in to revisit lunches followed by a rest time where children lie on mats and listen to stories. Some take naps. Afterward, there is more time for play before 4:00pm pick-up.
Afternoon Program Rate for members:
$48 for a 12-4 p.m. reserved spot
$32 for a 12-2 p.m. reserved spot
$37 for a 12-2 p.m. drop-in
$53 for a 12-4 p.m. drop-in
For more information please contact our membership chair at:
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Morning Program Highlights
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Hours are 9:00am to noon
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Children attend four mornings per week for a daily enrollment of up to 25 children
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Staff is the morning director, one teacher and six parent aides - a better than 4:1 ratio
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Enrollment of up to 31 children and their families
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Children must be toilet-trained to be accepted
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Eligible children are as young as 2 years and 9 months old, and up to kindergarten