Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School

Founded in 1942, Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School is a nursery school for children ages 2–5 years. At the school, informed, committed parents work, or co-op, in their child’s classroom alongside professionally trained, dedicated teachers. Our community is strengthened through monthly membership meetings and periodic training sessions, and parents assume administrative roles essential to the school’s operation.

The school presents a distinctive, research-supported early childhood curriculum. Teachers and co-oping parents draw out children’s unique interests while supporting exploration and learning through visual arts, music, movement, and dramatic play.

The environment at Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School is integral to our educational philosophy. There are four spaces for learning: classroom, project center, imagination station, and outdoor play space. We play outside every day—in all weather. Arts-based, play-based, and nature-infused activities presented in the different spaces support literacy and language development; fine and gross motor development; and science, math, and social studies learning. More importantly, the environment and exploration afforded by each space support the children’s social and emotional development.

Through the careful planning of the environment and the materials offered, Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School closely mirrors the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education and its stance of environment serving as the third teacher.

Last updated: Sept. 13, 2021