Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many children attend the Co-op?
There are 30 children enrolled at the Co-op. Up to 24 attend on any given day.2. How many days per week do kids attend?
The morning program runs Monday through Friday, 9:00-12:00 during the school year. Each child attends four days per week, with a designated off-day. Parents sometimes choose to send their younger children to school only three days, but the tuition is the same.3. What is the adult/student ratio?
There are up to 24 children each morning, with one teacher/director and six parent aides.4. Is there any afternoon program?
Aftecare is available Monday through Thursday from 12:00-4:00 p.m. It is available to members and non-members.5. What are the parent responsibilities?
At a minimum, parents of children enrolled in the morning program participate by:
- assisting as an aide one morning per week
- performing a job (e.d. gardener, fundraiser, librarian, newsletter editor, snack buyer)
- providing three projects and leading one circle time per year
- attending one business meeting per month
- attending five parent education meetings per year
- being “on call” as an emergency parent one day per month
- performing housekeeping and general maintenance 14 hours per school year
- contributing both time and money to various fundraising programs
6. How do parents know what to do as a teacher’s aide?
Parents receive a parent handbook, an orientation before school starts, parent education sessions, and workday meetings with the director. We balance each day’s group of parent workers so newer members work alongside more experienced Co-op members. The teacher/director is always available for situations in which a parent feels unsure or uncomfortable.7. What are the director’s qualifications?
Our morning director, Edith Fecskes, has been at the Co-op for ten years and recently received a lifetime achievement award from the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools. Edith previously was a director of preschools in Marin City, at Mission College on the Peninsula, and at the College of Marin’s Children’s Center. She received her teaching credential at Cal-Poly and did additional graduate work in Human Development-Early Years at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. She is well-loved and appreciated by the many children and families who have been through the Co-op.8. Is there Summer School?
Summer school runs for six weeks during late June and July. The format is slightly different: there are only 15 children per session, all attend Monday through Thursday, the hours are 9:30-12:30, and children eat lunch at school.9. How old does my child need to be to start at the Co-op?
Children must be two years and nine months old when they start. They also must be potty trained. If your child is two years, six months old and potty trained, he or she may attend Aftercare which is an excellent way to transition into the morning program.10. What is the tuition?
Tuition for the 2007-08 school year is $235 per month. Aftercare is $25 for mmbers and $30 for non-members and drop in.11. How do I apply?
Complete an application form (this form is downloadable, call our school at 415-454-5308, or email our Membership Chairperson) and mail with a check for $50 to:Membership Chairperson
San Anselmo Co-operative Nursery School
24 Myrtle Lane
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Your child will be placed on a waiting list. We start calling people on the wait list in early spring for the following school year. There are very few mid-year openings.