all about
The Co-Op
Our Story
The Madison Cooperative Nursery School began in 1959 as a parent-led playgroup, founded with a simple goal: to give children the opportunity to learn, grow and play while creating a place for families to connect and build community. In 1960, June Robinson joined the Co-op as our first Director and Teacher. With just six students enrolled, the Co-op obtained its state license and moved into Grace Church in 1961, where it has proudly remained ever since. By the following year, the school had grown to four classes, with two teachers, two assistants and its first revised set of by-laws—a testament to the energy and commitment of the families who built the school.
While the Co-op has grown and flourished over the decades, one thing has remained constant: the dedication of our parents, teachers and community to nurturing our children and providing them with guidance, love and support. When June Robinson passed away at the age of 95, she said that the greatest joy of her life was the years she spent working at the Co-op. Her sentiment reflects what so many others have experienced here. For generations, parents, teachers and children have each left their mark, contributing something special to the community and helping shape the Madison Co-op into what it is today.
Our Community
A cooperative school is built around community – our wonderful teaching staff anchors our classrooms while parents are invited to take an active, collaborative role in the learning experience alongside their children. This comes to life in classroom co-opping (or "special days" as we like to call them), parent volunteer committees, and our board of directors, who manage the overall school operations. Together, we continue the legacy that the co-op was founded on decades ago, one rooted in joyful learning and meaningful community all working towards the same goals for our students.
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Our Approach
Our learning model focuses on fostering purposeful, child-led play, nurturing social-emotional growth, and ultimately inspiring a lifelong love of learning. Students are intentionally given the time and space to explore their learning environments with growing independence and to interact with their classmates and teachers with confidence and respect. Our classrooms greet students with new opportunities for learning, exploration, creativity, and growth each day through real world play concepts, arts & craft activities, open-ended learning and play stations, and a variety of tactile, motor, and language development activities. Beyond our core curriculum, students also have the opportunity to experience music, yoga, outdoor play, and a variety of extended day opportunities such as cooking + art.
Meet Our Amazing Team
They bring positivity, creativity, happiness and high fives into each of our classrooms.
School Director
Ms. Amy
The 4s
Ms. Jenn
4s + Extended Day Program
Ms. Gena
The 3s + Music
Mrs. Keane
The 3s
Ms. Foteini
The 2s
Ms. Laura
The 2s
Ms. Sara
The 2s
Ms. Kathleen
Yoga
Ms.Jenn
Co-op Tots
Ms. Laura
What Our Community Says
Hear from Families Who Have Experienced the Magic of the Co-op
We have loved our time at the Madison Co-op! The amazing teachers, small class sizes, and indoor and outdoor play make it an incredible place to go to preschool
- Christina H
The thing that truly sets the co-op apart is the chance to participate in the school. I love meeting all of my child's school friends, and I love that my child gets to know their friends' families. fostering a sense of community is simply part of the DNA of the co-op experience.
– Beth M
We absolutely adore Madison Co-op for its play-based learning approach, its incredible team of dedicated teachers, and the warm, welcoming community. Being part of the school has been an incredibly special experience for our family, and it has been the perfect place to start our child’s educational journey.
– Brittany G