Belmont Cooperative Nursery School

Belmont Cooperative Nursery School (Belmont Co-op) offers a unique and positive preschool experience for children ages 2.9 to 5 years. We provide the opportunity to grow and learn in an environment that promotes self confidence, social competence and respect for all. Our program goals include nourishing competent and confident learners in a developmentally appropriate setting.

At Belmont Co-op, we believe that the process of learning is more important than the product. Projects and activities facilitate cognitive operations such as problem solving, putting ideas and objects into relationships, the organization of thoughts and the communication of feelings.

At Belmont Co-op, children are provided with ample opportunity to learn through play. Play is the medium through which children learn about themselves and the world around them. We define classrooms as communities where children are provided with concrete learning materials and activities relevant to their own lives. We believe, like Vygotsky, that children construct knowledge socially; and, as Piaget espoused, that children gain understanding from hands-on experience.

Belmont Co-op’s Reggio Emilia inspired approach specializes in emergent curriculum and is responsive to children’s interests and needs. At Belmont Co-op, we view children as competent, capable individuals who take ownership of their learning when placed in an environment that fosters their intrinsic curiosity and desire to learn. Teachers select and arrange materials and activities that encourage active exploration. Our educators act as facilitators who gently guide and challenge each child in a combination of teacher directed activities and child directed activities.

At Belmont Co-op, our goal is to create critical thinkers who understand and enjoy the learning process.