421 Common Street
Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
617-489-3259

Philosophy

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 Vigotsky, 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.

The Cooperative Experience

Enthusiastic parent support is one of the school’s most valuable resources. Parents gain a fresh perspective on their preschoolers as they share in the learning process. Children, in turn, gain a wider exposure to a variety of people as their worlds expand.

Parent involvement can be as rewarding for the parents as it is for the children. As parent helpers in the classroom, parents assist teachers with the day’s activities approximately once a month.

In addition to parent-helping, other cooperative responsibilities include: serving on the school’s board or on a committee; fundraising; assisting with school clean-ups; and other special events. The cooperative is a great way to get to know other families through events such as parent coffees, family outings and potluck suppers.

Belmont Co-op promotes continuity between the child’s home and the school. Through its cooperative nature, families support and care about each other. Children, parents and teachers together create a warm and extended community for growing and learning.

A Nut-Free Environment

Due to the increased prevalence of nut allergies and the possibly severe reactions they can provoke, we enforce a nut-free environment. Nuts are not allowed in snacks or lunches, and are not used in arts and crafts projects. This policy benefits the health and safety of the children in our program. 

"Pre-school was such a wonderful experience for our whole family. We all made great life-long friends. It is a community of families I continually socialize with and rely on for help."

"I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon Belmont Co-op years ago and can't believe my last child is finishing her two years of pre-school. What a lucky family we are."

"I truly believe my son's excitement and love for school and learning are due to his teachers and the community of Belmont Co-op."

"Sending my son to Belmont
Co-op has been one of our best decisions as parents."

"The 4-Day afternoon schedule has worked out very well for us. My older child takes the school bus to the Belmont Co-op, and we all get to spend a lot of time on the playground at pick-up time - no one is rushing off to lunch. I also feel like my son will be better prepared for the full school day next year."

"Our family is fully enjoying our experience at Belmont Co-Op. In addition to the warm and welcoming environment of the school, the afternoon schedule is working out much better than we thought. My older daughter loves learning and playing with her friends and teachers at school, while my younger daughter gets the chance to nap in a quiet house and I get some free time to work."