The Cooperative Difference
More Than a Nursery School - We're a True Community!
At Amherst Nursery School, we believe that early childhood education is most meaningful when families are part of the journey. As a cooperative preschool, ANS gives parents and caregivers a unique opportunity to actively participate in their child’s first school experience—and the results are truly rewarding for everyone involved.
How Co-oping Works
Each family takes part as a "co-oper" in the classroom approximately once per cycle.
A cycle = one classroom day per number of students in the class.
​
You'll choose your own dates based on what works best for your schedule. On your co-op day, you might:
- Help with crafts or story time -
- Supervise play -
- Provide a snack for the class-
- Support the teacher during daily activities -
​
It's a hands-on, heartwarming way to connect with your child and their peers.
​
Families Love The Cooperative Model
Parent Participation Matters
To keep the cooperative spirit strong, each family contributes a minimum of 6 participation hours per year. These hours can be fulfilled in many flexible ways:
-
Helping at social events or fundraisers
-
Pitching in for school clean-up days
-
Making play dough or prepping materials from home
-
Bringing your own creative ideas to support the school
You'll choose your commitment at the annual September Parent Meeting and we'll help you find what fits best for your family. When you join Amherst Nursery School, you're not just enrolling your child in a preschool - you're becoming part of a caring, connected community. Have questions about co-oping? Contact us - we'd love to share more about what makes this model special.