Program offerings
Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School can be found on Flower Avenue. We are an all-outdoor school inspired by play and guided by our place in the neighborhood, “between the creeks".”
The children’s growing minds and bodies are nourished with a rich variety of multi-sensory experiences.
Sunshine, rain, dirt, mud, wind, and fresh air are necessities.
On a typical cold winter morning, you will see the children, wrapped in crochet blankets as an extra layer, listening to stories and singing songs under a clear blue sky. On a rainy afternoon, the children are dressed in waterproof gear and will collect the rainwater for soups and stews.
grounded in play
We are grounded in play, connected with place, all weather, with floating clouds and tree branches above us, grass, paths, and sidewalks beneath our feet, surrounded by friends and neighbors with birds calling out their hello, hello, hello!
Parent Involvement
For over 80 years, the Cooperative School has carried forth its mission of building a community based on common goals. Here, generations of children, parents, and teachers have taken their first steps in learning together.
In exchange for their involvement, families become active stakeholders in the school, gaining access to parent education, opportunities for career enhancement, and a deeper connection to their community. Board and committee service not only supports the school’s administration but also helps maintain a low operating budget, reduces tuition rates, and ensures competitive pay for our professional staff. Through classroom participation (co-oping), families contribute directly to the children’s educational experience while building trust, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose. This hands-on involvement fosters meaningful community investment and strengthens the bonds between families, staff, and the school.
Through this partnership, over decades, families and educators have built a legacy to protect children’s access to nature, play, and art.
Summer Camp Program (Tink)
Tinkering at the Cooperative School, known as Tink, is a summer day program. It does not require co-oping. Tink is designed for elementary school-age children, rising first graders through 5th grade.
We will not be holding Summer Camp Sessions in 2025.
Tink will begin again in 2026.