Our Mission and Educational Philosophy

The Fairmount Church Cooperative Nursery School is a nonprofit, non-sectarian, non-discriminatory school whose primary concern is the enrichment of young children. Though the current structure of the cooperative nursery school dates back to 1972, there has been a nursery school operating within the church almost continually since the early 1920's.

Our program is designed for children three to five years of age and offers exposure to art, music, science, books, dramatic play and the world in which they are growing up. Intellectual growth and physical development are guided by experienced professional teachers in a controlled atmosphere that offers space and equipment scaled to the size and capabilities of the children. The environment is designed to activate the child's own natural desire to learn.

We stress the importance of Learning Through Play -not rushing children through the pleasurable experiences of being children- and of learning to live with others. Children are respected for their own unique personalities and learn at their own pace. We provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with ample opportunities to use materials freely and constructively with stimulation appropriate to the child's development level. Our preschool offers each child a variety of social contacts, a sense of belonging to a group, experience in sharing and cooperating with others the same age, an opportunity to continue building a positive self-image and a chance to become self-sufficient away from home.

Functioning as a cooperative preschool, both the parents and the children attend. Typically, a preschool is connected with the education of young children; whereas in a cooperative, we recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children. Teachers, parents and children are brought together and all benefit. The teacher grows in insight and skill; parents grow in understanding and confidence; children reap the best from both.

In our program, parents learn the techniques and gain reassurance through contact with other children and with parents facing similar daily challenges of child raising. We find that our parents and children find a special bond in sharing a day at school.

Our trained and experienced teachers will help your children grow into responsible individuals, capable of assuming control over their own behavior. Our parent helpers are offered the opportunity to devote their complete attention to the needs of the children at school without the interruptions and other responsibilities they face at home. The aim of our school is to act as a supplement to, not a substitute for the home.