Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School

"This is our third school year, and second child, at TPCNS. I could go on and on about how amazing this school is...it's an outdoor school (magical!), the teachers are incredible, and the community really is a family. DEI is integral to every function of the school, and families and children of color, non cis-gender families, etc are centered at the school. Our older child is in kindergarten this year and excelling academically, socially and emotionally due to the strong foundation built at the Purple School. We as parents are also equipped to navigate all that parenthood entails! So much love and gratitude to Lesley, Ada, Teresa and all the parents! If interested, I highly recommend you check out the school and see if it's a good fit for your family."

"We're about to finish up our time at this nursery school through 3 kids! It's a place to build relationships with other families, get expert, loving guidance for your child, and learn how to best give that kind of guidance to your own and other children! So much child development knowledge to be had. The school's approaches to outdoor play, dramatic play, art, social/emotional development, self-regulation, conflict, and hard topics are some favorites. Oh, and listening to Lesley or Andrea read at story time! I hadn't seen reading (or amazing book selection) like that before, and more than once during a co-oping shift I've had to try not to cry. The respect for play as the foundation of childhood and human development is just outstanding. And there's all you could want in terms of fine motor, gross motor, math, reading, writing, core strength, crossing the midline, etc. My older children love going back for camp in the summer to visit their beloved teachers and first school."

"I am so very grateful for this school! As an educator myself, I was looking for a school that followed best practices and educated the whole child. This school is that, and so much more. Never before have I seen teachers care so deeply for every child. This school truly is in it to support and nurture families and to build a community that will last a lifetime. They are the model for where early childhood education should be going! After 7 years at this school, they continue to be the greatest inspiration in my parenting journey. Thank you for helping to grow our future leaders of the world!"

"This preschool could be amazing....but its not. They have a really neat outdoor space - but the kids are only outside for maybe a half hour (which isn't enough time in my view). The 2s teacher is good. But we won't be going here for the 3s or 4s class because the teacher (Lesley - who is also the director) leaves a lot to be desired. She calls herself "The Queen" and she expects parents and children alike to obey her. This doesn't work for us. The school also feels anti-family. No children are allowed at any of the events the parents have to attend. Parents are not allowed at the school unless they are working. If working, it is made clear that parents should not be interacting with their own child. This seems weird and is not the environment we are looking for so we won't be going back. If they got rid of Lesley, let the kids outside longer, and were less rigid, we would love it here!"

"This school is a labor of love - for the people who work there, and the parents and families who work right alongside them. If you're looking for a place where you can drop your kid off and have that be the extent of your involvement, this is not a school for you. However, the school is patient and flexible with working parents, and is a top-notch place to go for nursery school. They are serious about early childhood, and rigorous about building social and cognitive skills kids need to be successful in life. Yet, they are quirky and fun and never for a moment forget the joy of preschoolers and life. It's a beautiful place to be."