Powered by Parents & Caregivers!

  • Classroom Participation

    Each class is required to have two parent/guardian assistants helping to keep things running smoothly; parents will rotate daily snack responsibilities. Classroom participation days are scheduled in two-month blocks. Enrichment and Stay & Play do not have parent workday obligations.

    Greenhouse (both classes) = 3–4 workdays every 2 months Sunroom & Treehouse = 4–5 workdays every 2 months

  • Maintenance Days

    Regular maintenance is important to keeping our classrooms and school grounds safe and clean at all times. Each family is required to sign-up for 1 maintenance or special project workday per semester (2 required per year). Maintenance days are held on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm. The Maintenance Chair may request additional support for Special projects as they arise.

  • Parent Education

    Oneonta organizes Parent Education meetings throughout the year. Invited speakers, as well as staff, cover all manner of child and family development subjects ranging from restorative conflict resolution to kindergarten readiness. A parent from each family is required to attend at least 2 of these meetings over the course of the school year.

  • The Board & Aide Positions

    There are so many little things that go unnoticed in the operation of a school. We disperse these small responsibilities out to the membership as Aide Positions that function as a committee under a Board Member. Examples: Staff room aide, bike aide, newsletter aide, or even event prep!

    Each family is required to assume one of the many aide positions working a minimum of 10 hours. If you can afford the time, volunteering for a Board position will fulfill this requirement.

  • General Membership Meetings

    There are four (3) mandatory meetings during the year, which one parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Orientation and Training Day are additonal required meetings in August. General Membership meetings are held quarterly in the evenings. These meetings are operational. The format of the meetings is structured to invite comment from the parents and votes are conducted at these times to ensure every family can participate in changes impacting the school.

  • Fundraising

    OCNS has a $425 fundraising commitment. Families with 2 or more children will be required to fundraise an additional $150. This can be in the form of a tax-deductible cash-gift donation or through our many fundraising events. We host monthly dine out events, book fairs, community events, online candy and marketplace sales, an annual Move-A-Thon (seen above), silent auction and more!

More about a Co-Op

Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School is powered by families whose children attend the school. Parents at Oneonta are engaged members of the cooperative community; participating actively in their child’s play and education experiences. Parents assist the teachers with implementation of programs.

A Cooperative education model offers parents a deeper involvement and the ability to take part in the expansive development of their child. This way of preschool offers parents the opportunity to build community and partnerships in a trusting space.

By joining your child in their first school experience, you foster a close relationship between the home and all members of the community. Most importantly you are helping them to take those first positive steps toward independence. As participating parents you will gain a greater understanding and enjoyment of your child as they interact with peers, teachers and adults outside your family.

The backbone of a good cooperative nursery school are the parents who freely contribute their time and talents. In addition to working in the classroom, families participate fully in the operation of the school through community maintenance days and general membership meetings held throughout the school year.