Lake Forest Co-Operative Nursery School
Preschool in Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
The parents of the Lake Forest Cooperative Nursery School understand the demands of a familys daily life and that is why we have voted in some important changes, in which parent participation is at a minimum, but learning still remains at a maximum. The Lake Forest Cooperative Nursery School is a non-profit organization formed and operated by its members to provide nursery school education for their children. It is a NJ State Licensed Facility with a Certified Teacher.
Special values accrue to parents as well as to children in this type of nursery school: a new appreciation for each parent for his/her own child as a person; a new insight about supporting his/her own childs sense of adequacy while grooming him/her emotionally for comfortable social living; new understanding of the patterns of child growth; a sense of comradeship with teachers; skills in group membership; and community service that is integrated with family life. Cooperative nursery schools have the unique feature of being organized and administered by the parents who in turn employ qualified teachers to direct the educational program. In cooperatives, parents can assume some of the responsibilities. Mothers, fathers, and other family members take the place of teachers aides. Being a part of the classroom as a helping parent has been a much loved part of our program for parent and child. This cooperative environment enables discussion and exchange with other parents and the teacher regarding child development, family/child relationships and access to the larger community and its resources. This function will continue on in the same manner it has in the past, requiring parents to be in the classroom on a rotating basis. With 10 children in each class parents would need to be available for 1 school week out of every 10 weeks.
- Child Ages:
- 3 years - 4 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- New Jersey Department of Children and Families
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- Tuesday-Thursday 9:15 am - 3:00 pm
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The Lake Forest Nursery School does not propose to teach academic subjects per se. It seeks to
provide a well-equipped and happy social environment away from home and to help the preschool child
develop as an individual in the following areas:
1. Making a Successful Break from Home
A child needs a feeling of belonging, one of being in a world which is interested in him/her and
makes him/her feel secure. The nursery school provides this atmosphere. It is a place where he/she can
feel comfortable and have a good time because the teacher and helping mothers try to be as warm and
protective as the childs own mother.
2. Learning to Be With Other Children
Some children are very social and enjoy group experiences. For others, the shy or introverted
child, these experiences may be frightening. We try to be attentive to this child and encourage him/her in
quiet play (a game or a book or perhaps painting at the easel), always making sure that he/she realizes that
we understand his/her need and approve of it. Perhaps this child will never be an outgoing, extraverted
type; but by gradually including him/her in group play or discussion, he/she will keep growing at his/her
own rate of speed and will begin to enjoy being part of the group.
3. Developing an Interest and Joy in Learning
By planning experiences that will be meaningful so that he/she will begin to form a good image of
him/herself; by letting the child discover what an interesting place the world is; by encouraging the child in
all his/her experiences and answering his/her questions with honesty and consideration for his/her age
level; with simple experiments, field trips, and observations about his/her world; by learning to listen, to
speak in front of a group and not be afraid, and to take direction. All of these lead to more important
lessons in the future.
