Demarest Co-op Curriculum
At Demarest Co-op Nursery School, we believe young children learn best through meaningful play, hands-on exploration, and nurturing relationships. Our curriculum is guided by developmentally appropriate practices that recognize each child's unique strengths, interests, abilities, and learning style.
Our teachers thoughtfully plan experiences based on:
Knowledge of child development and how young children learn
The individual strengths, interests, and needs of each child
The cultures, values, and experiences of each child's family and community
Our curriculum is built upon five guiding principles:
Positive relationships with caring adults provide the foundation for successful learning.
Social-emotional development is essential for school readiness and lifelong success.
Purposeful play is the primary vehicle through which young children learn.
A thoughtfully designed learning environment encourages exploration, creativity, and discovery.
Strong partnerships between teachers and families enrich children's growth and development.
Learning Through Relationships
Children thrive in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and valued. Our teachers build warm, trusting relationships with every child and provide individualized support throughout the day. We encourage children to think independently, solve problems, express their ideas, and develop confidence in their own abilities.
Learning experiences are planned to be engaging, challenging, and achievable, allowing children to experience success while developing perseverance and a love of learning.
Social & Emotional Growth
Helping children develop strong social and emotional skills is at the heart of our program. Through daily interactions and guided experiences, children learn to:
Build friendships and cooperate with others
Express their thoughts and feelings appropriately
Develop empathy and respect for others
Solve conflicts peacefully
Take responsibility through meaningful classroom jobs
Develop independence and self-confidence
Teachers use positive guidance techniques to help children learn self-regulation, cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving while fostering a caring classroom community.
Learning Through Play
Play is children's most important work. Through purposeful, engaging play, children develop language, literacy, early math and science concepts, creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence.
Each day, children have extended opportunities for child-directed play that allows them to:
Make choices and solve problems
Explore their interests and curiosity
Build communication and language skills
Discover early math and science concepts
Develop creativity and imagination
Grow as confident, capable learners
Our teachers carefully observe children's interests and extend learning through thoughtful questions, engaging materials, and meaningful experiences.
Our Learning Environment
Our classrooms are intentionally designed to encourage exploration, creativity, independence, and collaboration. Learning centers provide opportunities for children to investigate, experiment, create, and discover.
Interest areas include:
Blocks and Construction
Dramatic Play
Art Studio
Science and Nature
Sensory Exploration
Library and Literacy
Writing Center
Math and Manipulatives
Music and Movement
Fine Motor Activities and Puzzles
Each learning area supports all aspects of children's development while encouraging curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
A Cooperative Partnership
As a cooperative preschool, we believe families are an essential part of a child's educational journey. Open communication and meaningful family involvement strengthen our school community and enrich every child's experience.
Through classroom participation, school events, volunteer opportunities, and ongoing communication, families and teachers work together to create a warm, supportive environment where every child can flourish.