San Anselmo Cooperative Nursery School: Tuition, Admissions and Reviews | Marin Private Schools

San Anselmo Cooperative Nursery School

San Anselmo, California · Est. 1947

Celebrating more than 75 years with the community

We are a parent-run nursery school for children ages 2 years 6 months to 6 years, with parents working in the classroom weekly.

Ch. 1

The Story

We are a parent-run organization that aims to foster physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth in each child.

We are a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that has been providing a unique experience for young children and their parents to learn and grow alongside one another since 1947.

The CoOp is a unique, community-based philosophy that involves the active participation of parents in their child’s education. By sharing experiences, insights, joys and struggles, relationships are nurtured and friendships are made within the entire community of our school. Parents work closely with our teachers to enhance their ability to interpret child behavior and to influence it constructively.

Ch. 2

A School Day

The school day is a balance between spontaneity and structure with a flexible daily routine that is supplemented by the strength, interest and talents of participating parents.

Arrival

During our first hour, children choose inside or outside play, or science, art and cooking projects set up by parents.

Snack

After circle, young children snack while older children finish circle, then join them. After snack, children choose inside or outside play.

Pickup

We finish with Goodbye Circle before children greet their parents at the gate.

Ch. 3

Programs

Our curriculum is ever-changing and draws upon the experience and knowledge of participants. Our program relies on parent ingenuity, teamwork and labor, to help keep fees low and the program available to a wide spectrum of people.

Morning Program

We provide a flexible daily routine, striving to achieve a balance of spontaneity with structure.

Ages2 years 6 months to 6 years

DaysMonday through Friday. Each child attends four days per week and has one designated off-day.

Hours9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Aftercare Monday through Thursday from 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Class sizeMorning: up to 25 children; aftercare: no more than 14 children

TeachersMorning: director, one teacher, five parent aides; aftercare: two experienced teachers

Family participationWorking one day per week from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM; Performing one administrative CoOp job (averaging about 4 hours a month); Leading four student projects: art, science, cooking, circle; Attending one business meeting per month: 2nd Wednesday at 7:30 PM

Our Pre-K Program

Children preparing for kindergarten interact with teachers in a small group and explore a more structured format with a slightly greater academic focus.

Ages4 years 6 months and up

DaysFriday afternoons

Ch. 4

The Campus

After snack, children have free choice to stay inside and play, or utilize some of the many outdoor structures in our newly renovated backyard. A few activities that the kids love include: flying high on the swings, climbing the playground, getting dirty in the mud kitchen, being creative in the theater space, safely ride along the bike path, climbing gnome hill, water the wildflower garden, tend to the seasonal tomato plants, climb on the climbing wall, making volcanoes in the sandbox, exploring the “Creation Station” with a lead teacher, and many many more.

Ch. 5

Enrichment

We bring in outside educators throughout the year for special circle time learning. Some past visitors have included outside music teachers, Tracy the Animal Guy, local fire fighters, dancers from the Nutcracker, and dentists. Each year the visitor schedule can change based on the kids’ interests and relationships that are introduced by that year’s parents.

Many of the cooking, art, and science projects, as well as circle times, are provided by parents, so the curriculum is ever-changing and draws upon the experience and knowledge of participants.

scienceartcookingpaintingCreation Stationfield tripsFall and Spring Camping trips in OlemaPumpkin Patch VisitsBeach DaysHalloween ParadeThanksgiving PotluckMovie Nights at the CoOp

Ch. 6

Admissions

We host an open house at the end of January to welcome prospective parents into our community. Mid-year openings may become available.

Tours

Tours are typically held once a month during school hours 11am and led by a parent.

ii.

Age to enroll

Children must be 2 years 6 months and potty trained.

iii.

Application

Families may join our waitlist at any time. Mail the completed application with a $50 non-refundable application fee; returning families pay $35. We contact families when their child becomes eligible for consideration.

Apply online

Ch. 7

Tuition

Tuition 2026-27

Morning Program$595 per month

Fees

non-refundable application fee$50 once

Care and options

Aftercare, noon to 2pm$32 per day

Aftercare, noon to 4pm$52 per day

Financial aid is available.

In addition to tuition, there are occasions when parents will be asked to contribute to fundraisers and other collections, which is outlined in the intake meeting.