Program offerings
Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School can be found on Flower Avenue. We’re 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.
Learning happens every single day.
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 built a community rooted in shared purpose. Generations of children, parents, and teachers have taken their first steps in learning together—outdoors, through play, and in partnership.
Family involvement is central to how we grow and sustain our school. In return, parents gain access to a vibrant community, parent education, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Serving on the board or a committee supports school operations, keeps tuition lower, and ensures fair pay for our professional staff. In the classroom, parents co-op alongside teachers—deepening their connection to the children, each other, and the curriculum.
This hands-on model strengthens trust, builds resilience, and reinforces our shared commitment to protecting children’s right 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.