Co-Op Preschools and Nursery Schools in The Valley

3/19/12 - By Martha Hall

I spent many moments marveling at our coop preschool teacher's magical (and at times herculean) way of negotiating a conflict between a cluster of adamant four-year-olds who, say, all wanted the same sandbox shovel (or the same wagon, dress-up hat, easel...the list went on). She alighted into their space, fully present, intent upon listening to each desire, confident there was a way through to a peaceful settlement. And there always was.

Cooperative preschools require lots of hard work from both teachers and parents. But oh the rewards! If you're curious about coops, have a look at the lists we've compiled previously - Co-op Preschools and Nursery Schools on the Westside and in Hollywood & Los Feliz - and if you live in or near the Valleys, read on!

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Cottage Co-Op Nursery School
169 Arlington Dr.
Pasadena, CA 91105
626.799.0387
Size: 62 max. enrollment
Ages: 2-5 years
Tuition: $2,335 - $5,675/year
Hours: Class times vary depending on age. See Classes for more information.
School Year: Sept-June, with optional 8-week summer program.
Parent Involvement: Parents help in the classroom and choose to either serve on the Board, or have a class job like laundry, maintenance, or planning social events.
Admission Info.: Please see Applying page for admission details.
Special Features: In 2010, Cottage Co-Op was voted the Best Preschool of the Year in Pasadena (according to a Pasadena Weekly survey). Not just any school gets that kind of recognition!

Crescenta-Canada Cooperative Nursery School (CCNS)
1700 Foothill Blvd.
La Canada, CA 91011
818.952.2524
Size: 15-20 kids per age group/class.
Ages: Must be 2 years, 9 months to enroll. All children must be toilet trained.
Tuition: $160/month for 3 year olds, 2 day/week program. $205/month for 4 year olds, 3 day/week program. $60 registration fee due at time of registration.
Hours: Mon-Wed-Fri, 9:00am-12noon for 4 year olds; Tue-Thur, 9:00am-11:45am for 3 year olds
School Year: CCNS school year corresponds with the Glendale and/or La Canada Unified School District calendar.
Parent Involvement: Parents of children in two day program must work on a school day once/month. Parents of children in three day program must work about every three weeks. All parents must also hold a committee job (doll repair, newspaper, bulletin boards, etc.), and attend six monthly member meetings and education workshops during the school year.
Admission Info.: There is currently a waitlist. Contact the school for application information.
Special Features: CCNS is a Christian-based coop. The school's Christian practices include prayer before snack, the celebration of holidays, and occasional visits from the host church's pastor who reads Bible stories to the children.

Encino Parents Nursery School
16953 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
818.788.4582
Size: 21 students
Ages: 2 years, 9 months - 5 years. Must be toilet trained.
Tuition: $175/month (all students attend 5 days)
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-12:30pm
School Year: Sept-June
Parent Involvement: All parents are required to work in the classroom one day/week. Parents must also hold a "job" (purchasing, laundry, etc.), attend monthly meetings, help with fundraising and with occasional school maintenance and cleaning days.
Admission info.: There is currently a waiting list. Parents of infants are encouraged to apply now for future enrollment. Call the school for waitlist and admission details.

Hastings Ranch Nursery School
3740 East Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
626.351.9171
Ages: 2-5 years. Must be 2 by September 1.
Tuition: $184-$439/month.
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-11:30am. Optional pre-K enrichment session offered Mon-Fri, 12:00n-2:00pm.
Parent Involvement: Parents must work in the classroom during a school day a few times per six week session (depending on number of days child is enrolled). Parents must also contribute five hours to school maintenance, provide a snack for all children once per six week session, and attend various meetings.
Admission Info.: Please call the school for tour information.
Special Features: Among many other aspects of the school, parents appreciate the range of artistic offerings, from drawing to painting to woodworking.

North Hills Cooperative Nursery School
10341 Woodley Ave.
Granada Hills, CA 91344
818.360.2892
Size: 24 students max. per day
Ages: 2.5-5 years.
Tuition: $190/month
Hours: Tues-Fri, 9:00am-12:00noon
School Year: Sept-June. Facility is available in the summer for "play dates" arranged by school families.
Parent Involvement: Parents are required to work one school day per week, join a school committee, help with school maintenance, and hold a "job" (president, newsletter editor, field trip coordinator, etc.)
Admission info.: Please call the school to arrange an initial visit.

Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School
1515 Garfield Ave.
S. Pasadena, CA 91030
626.799.3105
Size: Classes are divided by age. Max. of 15 kids in each class.
Ages: Must be 3 years by Nov. 1. Must be toilet trained.
Tuition: $162 - $310/month
Hours: Various options depending on age. See class descriptions for more details.
School Year: Sept-June
Parent Involvement: Parents are required to work one to two times per month in the classroom, help with school maintenance and cleaning twice per year, and either serve on the board or hold a parent aide position.
Admission Info.: Download an application. Feel free to call the director, Raina Rogers, with questions.
Special Features: In addition to the rich community spirit here, parents love the art and music offerings, and the various outdoor play stations.

Our Children's Place
3715 Pacific Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
818.502.3009 (membership chair)
Size: 13 children max. each day
Ages: 2 years, 9 months - 5 years. Children under 3 only eligible for 2-day program.
Tuition: $105-$130/month
Hours: 9:00am-12:00n. Choose from 2 days/week or 3 days/week.
Parent Involvement: Parents work in the classroom two days per month if the child attends two day/week, and three days per month if the child attends three day/week. Parents must also be on call one day each month, prepare a healthy snack for all students, attend the orientation meeting and four membership meetings during the year, choose a school job, and participate in a Saturday clean-up/maintenance day.
Admission info.: Contact the membership chair (number above) to schedule an initial visit.
Special Features: Our Children's Place is an allergen-free school. All food allergies noted by a doctor will be honored, and the particular food items will not be served at snack time or used in art, science, or cooking activities. See the philosophy and goals page for more information about the curriculum.

Sherman Oaks Cooperative Nursery School
14201 Huston St.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
818.464.8935
Size: 20 students max.
Ages: 2 years, 9 months - 5 years. Must be toilet trained.
Tuition: $175/month (for 4 day/week enrollment)
Hours: Mon-Thu, 9:00am-12:00noon
School Year: Sept-June
Parent Involvement: Parents must work one day per week in the classroom, attend monthly member meetings, participate in cleaning/maintenance days, choose a school job, and provide snack for all students on designated snack day.
Admission info.: Contact the school for admission details.
Special Features: Sherman Oaks Coop is a 14,000 square-foot, fully-fenced, outdoor facility.

Sierra Madre Community Nursery School
701 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
626.355.1655
Ages: 2.5 years - 6 years. In addition to preschool, Sierra Madre offers a morning toddler group and a half day Kindergarten class. See Programs and Classes for more information.
Tuition: $166 - $419/month.
Hours: Morning and afternoon programs available. Please see Programs and Classes for further details. Aftercare available.
Parent Involvement: Parents must help with maintenance of the school space (or opt out by paying a fee), assist in the classroom 14-33 times per year (depending on the number of days their child is enrolled), attend two parent education meetings per year, and help with fundraising.
Admission Info.: Call the school for admission details.
Special Features: Sierra Madre consciously works to reduce its environmental impact by using non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products, hand soaps, and dish soaps, providing craft activities that use recycled materials, buying in bulk to reduce packaging, and providing wholesome snacks. Read more about the school's environmental efforts.

Studio City Co-Op Preschool School
12621 Rye St.
Studio City, CA 91604
818.835.0722
Ages: 2 years, 9 months - 5 years
Tuition: $155/month
Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00am-12:00noon
School Year: Sept-June
Parent Involvement: Parents are required to work one day/week, hold an administrative position or "job," participate in three fundraisers/year, donate three hours twice/year to school maintenance and cleaning, and attend monthly meetings.
Admission info.: Prospective families are welcome to visit the school during regular school hours. Contact the membership chair (number above) to apply for the waiting list.
Special Features: Gardens and zip lines and woodworking, oh my! This is a mostly outdoor school setting, a space that parents (and kids) find particularly charming.