How We Work

Our Mission

The purpose of the Yorktown Community Nursery School is to:

  1. Provide children with the opportunity for self-expression and development of their interests and abilities.

  2. Help students adjust to the educational environment.

  3. Afford children the opportunity to explore and experiment and live out their thoughts and problems in play.

  4. Design a program for the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of the preschool child.

  5. Aid parents in adopting constructive attitudes toward their children's behavior through actual participation in the operation of a cooperative nursery school.

Our Cooperative Structure

YCNS is a parent cooperative administered by a parent-elected Board of Trustees, which employs the professional staff of a Director, certified teachers and experienced assistants.

“YCNS is a cooperative nursery school and its future depends on parent involvement in all levels of the school’s operations. ”
— YCNS Handbook

Overview

  • Classroom Participation: Parent classroom involvement occurs on a rotational basis and requires classroom cleaning and healthy snack provision.

  • Committee Participation: Families are required to serve on one committee; detailed descriptions are in the Handbook.

  • Workday: Each family is responsible for committing to one of two workday sessions for general maintenance of the building and grounds of the school. For the parents who finds this impossible, it is possible to perform an alternative service or pay the Workday fee.

  • Fundraising: Families are responsible for participating in at least two fundraisers throughout the year, including our annual Mom’s Night Out event. Curating a sponsorship, securing donations, and/or volunteering one’s time to the preparation of the event or during the event itself are some examples of this. 

Benefits

  • Develop a support system of people sharing a common factor of raising children.

  • Join a warm and welcoming environment where parents may observe and be with their children as they learn and grow.

  • Learn more about child development and parenting roles.

  • Develop varied interpersonal and professional skills as they serve on the Board of Directors and on the numerous committees that administer the business of the school.

More Info

  • The educational program for the children is entrusted to a professional staff under the supervision of the Director of the school. 

  • The school is registered by the New York State Department of Education.

  • In the organization of our cooperative nursery school, basic power resides in the parents.

  • Parents delegate administrative duties and responsibilities, as specified in the By-laws, to a Board of trustees and a professional Director.

  • The Director is accountable to the Board, the Board is responsible for the Director, and the Board and the Director are responsible to the parents.

  • Recommendations of the Director or Executive Board concerning finances or policies must be referred to the Board for decision.

  • All meeting minutes and financial records are open to the parents. Meetings of the Board are open to any parent who wishes to attend. this.