Growing together

PARENTS OF YOUNG children often hear the popular expression: “They grow up so fast, so enjoy every moment.” As that sentiment rings true for many, Crossing Cooperative Nursery School (CCNS) in Washington Crossing aims to make every second of a child’s early education something to savor by its parents, staff, and students.

In the 1900s, a little red schoolhouse was built in Washington Crossing and eventually donated to Council Rock school district. In 1958, Council Rock leased the historic building to a group of parents who wanted to have a cooperative nursery school. What makes it cooperative is that the parents take an active role in all aspects of the school, which fosters a collaborative partnership between the families and staff. For over 50 years, CCNS has been home to countless families who have shared the same goal for their children.

“After I explain the cooperative structure of the school to parents on tours, they say they want to be involved, they want opportunities to come into the school and meet other families,” says CCNS Educational Director Stacey Keeler. “It’s a special community. It does require more time and volunteering, but you get a lot back.”

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

When joining the school, each parent signs a cooperative commitment to take on a yearlong volunteer job, as well participate in a fundraising event and a “Scrub Up,” which is a deep cleaning of all the toys. Some examples of volunteer jobs are becoming a board member, homeroom parent, or committee member. For dual working parents, there are many opportunities to help outside of the school day, such as in purchasing, data entry, finance, and landscaping and maintenance.

“One of the elements that attracted me was the cooperative commitment,” CCNS Board President Jessica Wuestkamp says. “I’m a full-time working parent but also a mom who grew up with a very involved mother, so it was important to me as a parent to show my kids both sides. You can have a career and be involved. I’ve loved every second of being on the board. I love the planning, the strategizing, and seeing through the execution of what we plan for the school.”

CCNS teacher and parent Michelle Djamoos was drawn to the school’s welcoming environment when she was looking for a preschool for her son. “My biggest thing was that I wanted him to have fun and enjoy going to school,” she says. “The parent and family involvement are such a great way to get a kid excited and feel supported as they start their journey into school.”

EARLY EDUCATION LESSONS

Another integral part of the CCNS experience is the staff. The teachers are all certified and many joined the staff after their own children outgrew the nursery school. To prepare the students for elementary school, they have a “learn by play” philosophy. For example, one of the techniques used to enhance this experience is that the teachers choose different themes to get the students excited about what they’re learning.

“There is a way to work on literacy, math, and fine motor skills while playing,” Djamoos says. “If my theme for the day is apples, we may set up a pretend apple orchard, cut an apple in half and explore how many seeds there are, or create an apple tree with pipe cleaners and Play-Doh. We’re trying to engage all different skills, but to them it feels like play.”

Keeler feels that kids learn best through play. “I always tell parents it doesn’t mean they’re not learning,” she says. “We build up their stamina for more traditional learning. We do all the curriculum goals that you would expect, but we’re doing it in a way where the kiddos are playing and not sitting at a desk for an extended amount of time.”

A LIFELONG CONNECTION

Since the school has been around for decades, many former students are now parents who have enrolled their own children. Upper Makefield resident Thomas Coyne Jr. attended CCNS in the mid-1980s. When he was a student, Council Rock decided to sell the property, and a group of parents (including Coyne’s) got together and raised money to buy it. At that time, there wasn’t enough credit for the school to afford a loan, so Coyne’s parents, along with a few other families, co-signed the loan until the school could build enough credit to take over the loan.

With such strong ties to the school, Coyne chose to move back to this area with his family so his four kids could have the same positive experience he had at CCNS.

“There are so many great friendships that I built going to this school that lasted me all the way through high school and beyond, and it prepared me to excel in Council Rock,” he says.

Coyne’s kids call CCNS “daddy’s school,” and he says it’s amazing that he gets to relive so many memories he had as a preschooler. The school is steeped in tradition, so he recalls activities that still take place today, such as walking along the school’s nature trail, parent mystery readers, and show and tell. Coyne says his story is not unique and many former students followed the same path because they have such a deep connection to CCNS. This year, his youngest child will graduate.

“When a parent is part of the school, they are like a co-owner,” he says. “There’s a sense of responsibility and ownership to it. Many parents stay on the board after their children graduate to make sure the school continues to be a success. There are things my wife and I still want to do to help leave our mark on the school, so we will probably stick around.

CCNS Director of Operations Susan Burns loves the continued connection former families still have with the school. “One of the things I love about CCNS is when I run into alumni or families and they tell me what the school means to them,” she says.

“We have a lot of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who come back to donate their time and energy, and every year, high school graduates come by and take pictures on the front steps in their cap and gown.”

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Since CCNS is a nonprofit and doesn’t receive any state or federal funding, it’s solely supported by tuition and fundraising. There is a lot of emphasis on fundraising to help keep tuition affordable and to maintain and upgrade the building. Both parents and staff have emphasized how supportive local businesses in Upper Makefield Township and surrounding areas have been of the school. With continued support from the community, as well as CCNS parents and staff, the school continues to be a staple of Washington Crossing.

“What I’ve seen from a lot of parents whose kids have graduated is that their relationships stay, and the friendships between the children stay,” Wuestkamp says. “The amazing, unique aspect of CCNS is that it doesn’t end when school ends. Those relationships are so organic and natural that they extend into other facets of life and are maintained.”

Keeler knows there is a balance in honoring tradition while remaining flexible to change with the times. “We are drenched in history, so you want to keep it the same, but you also have to grow and change with the times,” she says. “Over time, we have adapted, changed some course offerings, but people like the traditional preschool, and I think that’s what a lot of people are looking for when they come to us.”

BY DARI KOTZKER