Enroll Now for Summer Camp!

Carlmont Parents Nursery School

CPNS is a parent participation, co-operative, play-based developmental preschool for children ages 2 to 5 years.

Over 50 Years of Experience.

Located in Belmont, CA, and founded in 1961, we are a community of children, parents, and teachers working together with the common goal of stronger, healthier families.

We believe that the wellbeing of children, their senses of self, their values and their perspectives on the world are all greatly shaped by those charged with their care.

Programs

Our children’s program is designed to provide a gradual and smooth transition into formal education. When children learn at their own pace through guided exploration and experimentation, in a safe and loving environment, full of developmentally appropriate activities, their discoveries are boundless.

Open-ended exploration allows children time and space to develop skills by playing, tinkering, making mistakes, experiencing both success and failure, and reflecting on their own thinking.

CPNS offers 4 core programs: two, three, four, and five day per week multi-age classes, held from August-June. Multi-age programs offer age flexibility with greater leadership and role modeling opportunities.

Each class consists of a balance of adult-led group experiences and long blocks of child initiated play.

Our large group activities include storytelling, reading, singing, special guests, sharing, and announcements. During this time, your child will become comfortable with the expectations of a formal learning environment.
Free play encompasses the rest of the time at school, with the entire campus, indoors and out, available for exploration at all times. While your child plays, our teachers will gently guide their growth and development, allowing them to learn all they need to know to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

All of our programs are co-op based, with mandatory 1x/week parent participation, yielding high adult to child ratios that benefit the children in numerous ways.

2023-2024 Times and Tuition

Class	Age At Time of Enrollment	Time	Monthly Tuition 2022-2023	Adult:Child Ratio
2-day Teacher Denise	2-4 years	Tue, Thu 9:15-11:45am	$300	1:2
3-day Teacher Denise	2.5-5 years	Mon, Wed, Fri 8:45am-11:45am	$540	1:3
4-day Teacher Jill	2.5-5 years	Mon-Thu 12:30pm-3:30pm	$550	1:4
5-day Teacher Denise	2.5-5 years	Mon, Wed, Fri 8:45am-11:45am Tue, Thu 9:15-11:45am	$790	1:3

Priority for 4-day is given to children who will be age eligible for Kindergarten the following September.

Monthly tuition for 2022-2023, for families joining mid-year, are: 2-day: $280; 3-day: $470; 4-day: $515; 5-day: $720

Our highly successful Pre-K program, currently taught by Teacher Lori, has been in existence for over 30 years. Rather than attempt to teach children the subjects they will be introduced to in kindergarten, we emphasize the readiness aspects of learning.

Through adult-directed play, children participate in large and small groups that concentrate on the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual skills needed for kindergarten. Pre-Kers begin and end their day with a large circle time with lunch, musical activities, story sequencing, and community visitors. They are encouraged to raise hands, wait turns, and problem-solve with peers.

Typically, our Pre-K program is attended in conjunction with the 4-day core class making the schedule 10:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday.

Click here for a virtual tour of CPNS Pre-K. See the class and Teacher Lori in action!

Age by Sep 1, 2023	Time	Monthly Tuition 2023-2024	Parent Workday Requirements (per child)	Adult:Child Ratio
4 years	Mon-Thurs 10:30am-12:30pm	$350	2x/4 weeks	1:4

For families joining mid-year 2022-2023, monthly tuition rates are unchanged.

Everyone loves Summer Camp at CPNS!

Available to existing members, alumni, and friends, our half-day Summer Camp follows the same philosophy as our school year programs with a schedule and format designed to maximize the wonderful summer weather and our large and diverse outdoor facility. Your child will experience water play, messy science, creative art, storytelling, singing, and group games. Splash your way into summer, running through the sprinklers, playing in the water table and exploring our water wall (designed and constructed by a CPNS alumnus!)

Summer 2023 Details

Session 1: June 19 – June 29
Session 2: July 3 – July 13 (closed July 4)
Session 3: July 17 – July 27

Age
by start of program

Time

Tuition*

Parent Workday
Requirements**
(per child)

Adult:Child Ratio

2.5 - 7 years

Mon - Thu
9am - 12pm

$375/session

Once per session

1:4

Max 24 students per session

Click here to enroll!

Priority enrollment for current CPNS families ends March 15th. Registration opens to the public beginning March 16th. Tuition only $355/session with registration before April 1.

* 10% sibling discount.
** $50 co-op buy out, subject to availability

CPNS is committed to offering high quality early education to all children. We offer financial assistance in the form of scholarships and barter work. You can find the application here.

The application period for the scholarship and work barter programs for the 2023-24 school year has closed as we have exceeded our budgeted disbursement amount.

Due to enrollment changes that occasionally occur throughout the year, we may be able to provide additional assistance if funds become available. Please email your application to treasurer@carlmontparents.org for review and we will contact you soon.

Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be accepted through April 15, 2024

Our Campus

A Beautiful, Large, and Open Campus

A child-directed program, with 5 classrooms and a huge outdoor area, means that children can play inside or outside when their body and spirit needs to.

There is always a place to have quiet time, active time, alone time or together time.

CPNS is a place to learn independence, foster a joy of learning, and build interpersonal skills that will last a lifetime.

Becoming the Best Parent You Can Be

In-Depth Parent Education
and Support

As a member of the Sequoia District Adult School, CPNS offers monthly seminars in child development and early childhood education, plus hands-on experience and coaching in the classroom. In addition, parents have almost unlimited access to a child development expert who knows both you and your child and can offer skilled advice and answer your parenting and education questions.

A Community, Not Just a School.

Our community is made up of like-minded parents who consciously decide to be actively involved in their children's education, and commit themselves to give of their talents and their time.

In this busy Bay Area, families are often juggling many different things. It's easier when you have a strong network or community to rely on. These families will be your friends—and your child’s friends—for years to come.