San Anselmo Co-Operative Nursery School

The Morning Program \| Aftercare
The Morning Program The Co-op provides a flexible daily routine, striving to achieve a balance of spontaneity with structure. Cooking, art and science projects are provided by parents so the curriculum is ever-changing and draws upon the experience and knowledge of participants. This structure is the backbone of the community-based philosophy that is the essence of the Co-op experience. In a typical day, the first hour is spent doing activities of the children's choice; they may play inside or in the front yard or may choose to do one of the projects set up by parents. Then all children wash hands and gather together and sing. Next, half the group stays for a teacher or parent led Circle Time activity, and the other half goes to snack in two small groups with a parent. Afterward the groups switch. Snacks are provided by the school and consist of a fruit or vegetable, a starch, and a protein; we use organic ingredients whenever possible.
During the last hour of the day the children play in our spacious backyard, where there are always art or science activities set up for those who choose. The last few minutes of the day are spent in a final Goodbye Circle before children meet their parents at the gate. An outside music teacher comes in for many sessions during the school year, as well as a series of visits by Bobcat, a local animal expert who brings small live animals for the children to hold. We enjoy several traditions, including riding bikes in the San Anselmo parade, a special Halloween celebration, field trips to the Fire Station, Post Office, and a nearby grocery store, a trip to see the Nutcracker, a pumpkin patch and egg hunt, and school at Teacher Edith's house in June. For children who will be moving on to kindergarten, our teacher offers a Pre-K program on Friday afternoons. It is not heavily academic, but has a slightly more structured format than the morning program. Morning Program Highlights • Enrollment of 30 children and their families • Children attend four mornings per week for a daily enrollment of up to 24 children • Hours are 9:00 a.m. to noon • Staff is the morning teacher/director and six parent aides - a better than 4:1 ratio • Children must be 2 years, 9 months and toilet-trained to be accepted, and may attend until they go to kindergarten
Aftercare Aftercare is an extension of the Co-op. It is not a parent co-operative, but is run by an experienced and wonderful credentialed teacher/director who is assisted by a second excellent and creative teacher each day. Aftercare is a wonderful transition to school for younger children because there are fewer children and it is a slower pace than the morning program. It also provides an excellent preschool experience on its own for parents who do not wish to participate in the morning Co-operative. The afternoon starts with lunch, which the children bring. Then kids have lots of time to play and explore, both indoors and outdoors, including art projects, science activities, manipulatives and dramatic play. Mid-afternoon, there is a rest time when the children lie on mats and listen to stories. Some take naps. Afterward there is more time for play before children are picked up. There is a one-time $50 registration fee for non-Co-op members using the afternoon program.
Aftercare Highlights • Aftercare is available Monday through Thursday from 12:00-4:00 p.m. • There is no Aftercare on Fridays. • We have a maximum of 13 children a day. • Children from the surrounding community are welcome; they must be two years, six months old and potty trained. • The price for Aftercare is $35 per afternoon for members, $40 per afternoon (drop-in) for members and $48 per afternoon for non-Co-op members. • Please email our Aftercare Coordinator for more information or enrollment.