The Dietrich Johnson Cooperative Nursery School (DJCNS) is a preschool located in the heart of Princeton, NJ and has been in existence for more than 35 years. Our aim is to provide a learning environment dedicated to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of children aged 2 ½ to 5. DJCNS is proud to serve families from many central New Jersey communities including Princeton, Montgomery, Lawrenceville, Hopewell and West Windsor townships.

Our school is non-sectarian and welcomes families from all backgrounds and beliefs. DJCNS is a non-profit corporation licensed by the state of New Jersey and accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

OUR GOALS

• To recognize the unique qualities and individuality of each child, by providing developmentally appropriate activities and materials.
• To help the child be successful and happy both as an individual and as a member of a group.
• To promote the growth of the child’s self-esteem.
• To involve parents actively in the child’s earliest education experience.
• To help families get to know one another.

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM

DJCNS encourages parents to become actively involved in their child’s earliest education experience. As a cooperative nursery school, DJCNS is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of parents and teachers. Every family attending the school must participate in the Cooperative Program which consists of the following annual activities:

• Assisting in the classroom as a "Helping Parent" on a regularly scheduled basis (except 5’s class)
• Performing ten maintenance hours per child or fifteen hours per family
• Participating in the planning and execution of at least one special event (Pizza Night, Craft Fair, Pancake Breakfast, Communiversity, Music Morning, End-of-Year Picnic)
• Attending a parents meeting in the fall and one clean-up maintenance day

Maintenance hours are earned by volunteering for various activities throughout the school year, substituting for teachers and "Helping Parents", and by serving on the Board of Directors.

OUR TEACHERS

Our teachers are the most valuable resource of our school. They educate and guide both parents and children while providing continuity and stability that preserves our school’s character. They formulate the curriculum and help with the administration of the school.

Many of our teachers originally became involved with the school as parents. Some of the teachers currently have children in the school, while others have been with DJCNS for many years. There is a least one certified teacher in each classroom. Every year the teachers participate in workshops and other activities to continue their professional growth and education.