Frequently Asked Questions
Winton Road Nursery School (WRNS) is Rochester’s oldest semi- cooperative nursery program. Our continued success comes from the joy found in working together.
Why choose a semi-coop? Families get to know one another which creates a sense of belonging; parents are involved in their child’s early education because they contribute time and talent to making their child’s school a great experience for everyone; tuition is affordable.
With the exception of our Young Nursery Program, parents do not teach in the classroom, but serve on various committees or hold board/chair positions vital to the successful functioning of the school.
The nature of a coop is to supply a quality experience along with lower tuition by using family participation to supply work that would otherwise be hired out.
Here are some frequently asked questions that may assist you in understanding what this obligation entails:
How many committees/positions do I have to hold? Families hold one committee position, one board/chairperson position or oversee an event or activity. This is a change from prior years where families were required to serve on 2 committees. The time commitment remains the same.
I only have a child in the Young Nursery program; do I also serve on a committee? No, the time you spend in the classroom fulfills your obligation; however, you are required to attend the mandatory Social Workday prior to the start of school.
What is the time commitment for committee work/board positions? Depending on the role, most parents find that they are committing 20-30 hours during the entire school year. Board positions can require anywhere from 20-40 hours for the entire school year.
I work part/full-time. What are my options? Most committees hold their meetings and events during nights and weekends in order to accommodate different schedules. There are also several tasks associated with each committee that can be completed on the parent’s schedule.
My schedule is just too busy to accommodate any committee work. Can I still attend WRNS? Yes. For families that cannot find ways to fulfill their committee requirements, we offer a buy-out* option where you pay a one-time fee and are then excused from all committee work for the year. A half buy out option is available as well, (where you take a small task or act as a Floater and pay 1⁄2 the fee). Participation in the buy-out does not excuse a family from the mandatory social workday held prior to the start of school.
Besides the committee/board positions, what else are parents responsible for in a semi-cooperative school? Parents at WRNS provide a healthy snack for the entire class on a rotating basis (including Young Nursery). Parents with children enrolled in the morning nursery program (3-5 year olds) will find that they are assigned approximately 4-5 times per year. Parents with children enrolled in the afternoon program will find the frequency increased as the class is smaller (approx. 8-12 times). In addition to snack, each family is asked to make play dough once a year for their respective classrooms.