By Colleen Turner on April 2, 2026 Verified by Google

The Co-op has been such an incredible experience for our family and our child. Kids are able to learn cooperation, communication, and self regulation though play. Claire and Nina who teach the young threes are so good at helping kids manage interactions but also have a beautiful balance of not stepping in too soon but also before anything gets out of hand. I was drawn to the co-op because it is entirely play based and I believe that is what children need in these early ages. What has been really beautiful to see is my son's budding interest in letters lately even though letters are not explicitly taught. The classrooms are set up to allow for engagement with pre-literacy materials if desired and the kids gravitate towards them as they are ready. The helping parent component can be difficult for working parents but it honestly builds community among the parents and families in a way that I have come to find is entirely worth the commitment. You really know the other kids in the class and, for us, that has made building community among the parents easier. I wish we would have found this school a bit earlier in my son's life but I'm glad we've landed here when we did.

By Kate Holton on August 21, 2023 Verified by Google

Sweetest and most amazing school and staff. My 2 yr old loved his teacher. He came home singing songs he learned from her. He especially loved the outdoor area with the water table and sand box.

By Rasha Madkour on October 28, 2021 Verified by Google

The Co-op is such a magical place, we feel so grateful to have been able to send our kids here. The child-led, play-based, outdoor-heavy, respectful philosophy is everything we could have hoped for, and creates such a sweet and caring community. The teachers are incredibly patient, kind, thoughtful, understanding and knowledgeable about child development. Families take turns helping out in the classroom but, truly, I felt I was getting all the benefit out of it, being able to witness how teachers empower kids to resolve conflicts, put their feelings into words and learn how to be part of a cooperative community. Our time at the Co-op was truly a gift and I highly recommend it to families with littles.

By Louisa White on September 23, 2021 Verified by Google

We feel so lucky and grateful to have landed a spot at AACNS for our daughter. Her first year in the 2's class was magical, and then the pandemic hit--but the school kept the community together and did everything possible to ensure the safety of the students and staff. It's such a caring, creative place with teachers who understand child development in a way that has taught me a lot! I would recommend AACNS to anyone looking for a play-based experience that emphasizes outdoor exploration, sensory and creative discovery, and a tight-knit community of parents and alums.

By R R on May 20, 2021 Verified by Google

We recently joined the co-op and our kids have loved it here. The teachers and director are so committed to providing a nurturing learning environment focused on outdoor play.