About Portland Nursery School

Our Program

Portland Nursery School is a state-licensed cooperative preschool program located in Portland’s Back Cove neighborhood. It is a multi-age program for children aged 3-5. We offer a 3-day morning session Tuesday-Thursday from 9 -11:30. We follow the Portland Public Schools calendar and are in session September-May.   

We are delighted to have a dedicated and caring teacher, Janet Durgin, who has spent the last 17 years at Portland Nursery School. She is a professional pre-school teacher and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to meet the needs of all students.   

The primary focus of our preschool is to engage the children and meet their social and emotional needs so they are ready for kindergarten. Our day involves free play through our many play centers, circle time, snack, and group activities such as art, literature, dance, music and gross motor play. We go on several field trips and also enjoy many in-class special activities and events.

See some of our events on facebook  

Portland Nursery School is a non-profit organization

The Cooperative Experience

What is a co-op?
A cooperative preschool is organized by a group of parents, invested in their child’s education, who hire a trained classroom teacher. The parents act as the administration of the preschool, assist the teacher in the classroom, and take part in the daily business of the preschool. Parents have the opportunity to actively participate in their child’s education, learn about child development and behavior through their work in the classroom, and share their own interests and expertise within the curriculum. Children benefit from entering a school environment in which they feel safe and secure and feel part of an amazing, invested community of dedicated parents, peers and a caring teacher.

Parent participation is a vital part of the cooperative experience. Our preschool is only successful when everyone is doing his or her part!

At Portland Nursery School, parents are required to

• Work in the classroom on a regular rotation
• Hold a committee or board position
• Attend monthly meetings
• Participate in fundraising events
• Drive on two field trips
• Provide support during special events.

We welcome parents to share their special talents with our class. Through the years we have had parents share science experiments, wellness, music, yoga, fitness, gardening, cooking, sign language, Spanish and other lessons within our school day. Students are always excited to see their family member share their special talent with the class!