Preschool Program

Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School offers a preschool program for the young child. For children aged two-and-a-half through five years, the school offers a variety of morning and afternoon classes. A typical day involves opportunities for experimenting, discovery, and creative expression. 

Classes

We offer a range of classes at Ruth Washburn with varying start times and age groupings. Children are placed into a class track based on their birthday and class preference. Fall/winter birthdays are in the sunflower track (seeds, sprouts, sunflowers), and spring/summer birthdays are in the bird track (hummingbirds, chickadees, owls). Additionally, we have four mixed age classes, including a morning class (roly-polies), an afternoon class (hoppers), an outdoor class (crickets) and a 5-day a week class (honeybees).

SEEDS

Must be two-and-a-half by the start of school. Birthdays are October through February. This class meets Thursday and Friday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. This class will have 9 students.

SPROUTS

Children will be three at the start of the year and turn four October through March. This class meets Monday Wednesday from 8:15-11:15 a.m. This class will have 11 students.

SUNFLOWERS

Children will be four at the start of the year and turn five October through March. This class meets Monday-Thursday from 12:45-3:45 p.m. This class does have the potential to be a mixed four year old class based on enrollment. This class will have 12-13 students.

HUMMINGBIRDS

Children will be three during spring and summer (April-September). This class meets Thursday and Friday from 8:00-11:00 am. This class will have 11 students.

CHICKADEES

Children will be four during spring and summer (April-September). This class meets Monday-Wednesday from 8:00-12:00. This class will have 11 or 12 students

OWLS

Children will be five during spring and summer (April-September). Depending on interest, older five-year-olds will be allowed to enroll. This class meets Monday – Thursday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. This class will have 12 students.

ROLY-POLIES

This is a mixed age three-year-old class. Children will be three by September 1 and will turn four any time during the school year. This class meets Thursday and Friday from 8:15-11:15 a.m. This class will have 11 or 12 students.

OUTDOOR CRICKETS

This is our mixed age outdoor class. Children will be four or five by the start of school. This class meets Monday – Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. This class will have 12 students and will be filled via lottery.

5-DAY HONEYBEES

This is our five morning per week class. Children will be between ages three and five. This class meets Monday – Friday from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. This class will have 12 students and will be filled via lottery.

HOPPERS

This is our mixed age class for three and four-year-olds. This class meets Monday – Thursday from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. This class will have 11 or 12 students.

Wrap around care is available for early mornings and afternoons. Read more about Extended Care.

A Year at a Glance

A Tour of Ruth Washburn

If you are interested in future enrollment in any of our programs, please join the waitlist!

Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors, whose financial support funds scholarships, facilities improvements, and continuing education for teachers.

Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School provides quality preschool programs for children ages two-and-a-half to five years old.