Why a Co-operative Nursery School?

What is a Co-operative Nursery School?

In a co-op nursery school parents and teachers share responsibilities and work together to provide the best program possible for the children.

Top O’ The Hill is a not-for-profit co-operative nursery school where the parents run the business affairs of the school (through an elected Board of Directors and volunteer committees) and the professional teaching staff develop the educational program. Parents participate in the classroom on an occasional basis, as assistants to the teachers.

How Much Parent Participation Is Required?

Parents assist in the classroom on designated “participation days.” These are approximately once a month, depending on enrolment and number of days/week your child attends. On a small number of these participation days the parent provides the snack.

Parents participate on one or more committees (to help plan special events, fundraise, maintain toys and equipment, etc) or hold a board position. The committee work is evenly distributed and flexible enough to accommodate working parents and centered on your level of availability and contributing talents. Parents attend school meetings (3/year).

The rewards will outweigh your efforts!

The Child Benefits:

The first school experience is an important one. Parent involvement eases the transition from home to school. When parents are involved in their child’s pre-school this tells the child that their education is important. Education experts say that involvement of parents in their children’s education (from early childhood to high school) increases the child’s chances of academic success, good social skills, and high levels of self-confidence.

Parent participation provides a better adult/child ratio than other schools, which ensures important individual attention for the children.

The Parent Benefits:

Through interaction with teachers and other parents, co-op parents can learn new skills that will help them deal effectively with their children.

Classroom participation provides parents with more meaningful feedback on their child’s progress than a report card or carefully planned open house.

Co-ops provide a community-based network for meeting new friends, babysitting and sharing the joys and challenges of parenting.

The School Benefits:

The school is improved year after year through the input of many parents who contribute their unique strengths and experience.

With input from parents, the school’s programs and services stay relevant to the needs of the community and families it serves.