A Cooperative, Community-Driven School
PNS is more than a preschool — it’s a community. Families are involved, supported, and connected while children play in a safe, joyful environment.
Parents’ Nursery School is a parent cooperative, meaning families work together to support the school, the teachers, and the community. While participation requires some time and involvement, it is designed to be manageable—even for working families—and deeply rewarding.
Being part of a cooperative allows parents to be meaningfully involved in their child’s early education, and often leads to friendships that last well beyond PNS graduation.
How Families Participate
Optional Parent Helping
Parents have the option to help in the classroom once a month from 8:30am–12:30pm, supporting teachers with light tasks such as playing with children, preparing snack, and tidying the classroom. Participation is flexible and optional.
Two Community Work Days a year
Each family participates in two Saturday morning work days—one in fall and one in spring. These are relaxed, social mornings with bagels, coffee, music, and shared teamwork.
Parent Committees or Board Roles
Each family contributes by joining a parent committee (such as Events, Fundraising, or Admissions) or serving in a board role. Responsibilities are clearly defined and shared across the community.
Snack
Every few months, each family is responsible for bringing simple snacks for the group for the week, like cut fruit and cheese and crackers.
The History of PNS
Founded in 1947, Parents’ Nursery School is one of the oldest cooperative preschools in the country. For generations, PNS has been rooted in a simple belief: young children learn best through play, exploration, and strong, trusting relationships. What began as a small parent-led initiative in Cambridge has grown into a lasting community where families and teachers work together to support children’s earliest learning experiences.
Our Philosophy
At PNS, we believe that play is the foundation of learning. Our program is child-centered, developmentally appropriate, and guided by children’s natural curiosity—not by rigid schedules or academic pressure.
Children are encouraged to explore, experiment, imagine, and problem-solve in a safe and nurturing environment. Through self-directed play and meaningful relationships, they develop essential skills such as confidence, independence, empathy, and resilience.
We focus on:
Social and emotional growth
Independence and self-confidence
Curiosity, creativity, and joy in learning
Children learn at their own pace, while feeling deeply supported by a caring community that bridges home and school.
“We chose PNS for our older daughter because we were looking for a play-based school. When we visited, it felt like such a magical and imaginative place. We’ve continued here with our younger daughter and now our son, and PNS is still every bit as magical. Our family treasures being a part of this community. ”
