The goal of our programs at Families Together Cooperative Nursery School is to nurture the development of social, intellectual, language, creative and physical skills while meeting each child’s emotional needs in a safe and secure environment. We believe in the inclusion of children of all abilities and developmental levels and strive to create an environment that is appropriate and healthy for all children.

Each classroom’s schedule includes:

• circle times that may include group games,
• outdoor play or, during inclement weather, play time in the facility’s gymnasium,
• center time, when students explore the classroom and engage in activities of their choosing, and
• family-style snack time.

Each class has two qualified teachers and one or two rotating parent assistants. Our high adult:child ratio allows teachers to know each child and to make his or her first school experience one that builds self-confidence, encourages respect for others and instills an enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Children are encouraged to pursue what they love while being introduced to new and exciting learning opportunities.

School is in session September through early June. The following programs are offered for the 2012-2013 school year:

Young 3's

• Children must turn 3 years old between 9/2/12 and 1/1/13
• Meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 11:30 am

Nursery

• Children must turn 3 years old by 9/1/12
• Meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Two classes offered:
  • 8:30 am to 11 am
  • 9 am to 11:30 am

Mixed Age

• Combined classroom of 3 and 4-year-olds
• Children must turn 3 years old by 9/1/12
• Meets Tuesday through Thursday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
• Students have the option of attending one extra day per week - Mondays from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm at an additional cost.

Pre-Kindergarten

• Children must turn 4 years old by 9/1/12
• Meets Monday through Thursday, 12:45 pm to 3:45 pm

Supplemental Programs

Literacy Enhancement

FTCNS offers a Literacy Enhancement program for children enrolled in the Nursery, Mixed Age and Pre-K classes. This specially focused program utilizes puppet-theatre, storytelling, reading, writing, dramatization, social collaboration and games as springboards for pre-literacy empowerment.

Each Literacy Enhancement class is limited to eight students. Classes are offered on Tuesday or Thursday mornings and there are four sessions each school year. There is an additional charge for this class. Literacy Enhancement is currently taught by Deadre Lorber, one of our Pre-K teachers.

Summer Camp

FTCNS offers its students six fun-filled weeks of summer camp in June and July, with lots of outdoor activities targeted to mixed-age groups (3.5 to 5.5. years old). Summer camp is for children who have completed at least one year of school at FTCNS. Children may attend just one week of camp or all six. Each week offers a different theme, such as drama, nature or sports. There is an additional charge for summer camp.

Summer camp is led by FTCNS teachers, with the assistance of additional qualified staff.