Our School
The Co-op Model
The Cotati-Rohnert Park Co-op Nursery School is a private, nonprofit organization managed and maintained by its member families. The school is governed by a board of directors, which is elected annually. These volunteer positions are held by parents/guardians of children who are or have been enrolled at CRPCNS.
Parent participation is the hallmark of our school and is what makes it so special! With guidance from the Director/Teacher, who is employed by CRPCNS, parents take an active role in the classroom—learning, playing, and growing alongside their children in a safe, supportive environment.
Parents keep the adult-to-child ratio low, help with daily maintenance, and bring their own talents to the school for the enrichment of all.
While a cooperative preschool will require more time and effort from you as a parent, the benefits of being able to take part in your child’s first school experience and forge lifelong friendships alongside one another are extraordinary.
Some of the ways in which you will be asked to contribute when joining us are:
Work in your child’s classroom weekly (a limited number of non-workday positions are available)
Attend a Parent Club meeting every other month
Offer 3 hours per month for the upkeep and daily operations of the school
Participate in our annual fundraiser
Join a committee and help plan one of our family fun events
Our History
The Cotati-Rohnert Park Co-op Nursery School was established in 1953 by a group of local mothers, intent to provide an early learning program for the children of Sonoma County. The school moved to its present location in 1963, and in 1978 became part of the Cotati-Rohnert Park School District.
At the time of our school’s creation, our area was rural, with just a few hundred people making up the population. The importance of starting this school, of building a community of families and children to grow together, has remained the beating heart of CRPCNS for all these years. Even as times have changed, and early childhood education has become well established, our little red schoolhouse has stood proudly on its corner, raising generation after generation of our county’s children.
As a nonprofit, cooperative model, we have evolved and grown with our families throughout the years—always being sure to stay true to that original dream born in 1953.
Health & Safety
As a preschool program, it is important to us to offer an environment that is safe and welcoming to our children and families.
With support and guidance from Community Care Licensing and the Department of Public Health, CRPCNS has developed protocols to
protect and promote the health and safety of our children.
In every aspect of our work—from hiring and training trustworthy teachers to protecting our children from illnesses—we are vigilant about keeping your child safe in every way while in our care.