INTRODUCTION TO OUR SCHOOL

Dixon Cooperative Nursery School is a private parent cooperative early education program made up of 56 families. We have both a toddler and preschool program. The toddler program, for children between 2 years and 2 years 9 months, takes place Wednesday and Friday. Our preschool program offers two classes: a Tuesday, Thursday 2-day class made up of 20 children, and a Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3-day class made up of 24 children. Children attending preschool are between 2 years and 9 months and 5 years old. As a private school, the DCNS membership, through tuition, fund-raisers and donations, supports the entire workings of the preschool program.

Parents are a vital element of our co-op. Each day, parents come into school to work and play as "teachers/directors" and rotate on a two week basis (A and B week). A parent participating in the co-op has three primary advantages:

  1. The ability to watch your child interact with both other children and adults.
  2. By providing you, the parent, numerous opportunities for new friendships and cooperative work with other adults.
  3. By coming to a better understanding of the preschool age child, their social, physical, cognitive, emotional, and creative abilities and to develop the skill to assess your own child's level of development.


The Teacher/Director, Teacher and parents work side-by-side to facilitate the positive growth and development of the children.

The children are what bring us together, our common focus. It is important for us all to remember our commitment to the children and, each day when we come to school, to put behind the hassles of the "real world" and have a great time learning and playing with the kids.

Along with the parents and children, each preschool class will have two paid staff members, the teacher and the assistant teacher. The toddler program has one teacher. These three professionals are responsible for our educational programs and their implementation. Comprised of nine parents who have volunteered their time, the business of our school is conducted by the Advisory Board.

Except for the three paid staff members, all other adults at DCNS are volunteers. It is our hope that your time spent at school is not seen as a duty, but rather as an opportunity to interact directly with other adults of preschoolers and to build new skills in working with children. Your positive attitude as a volunteer makes all the difference to you, your child and the other members of the co-op. Have a great time!