Our Philosophy
We believe in fostering an environment that honors the uniqueness of each child and supports parent involvement and education in our early childhood setting. Our philosophy is rooted in the following principles:
Learning through play
We believe that play is the most effective and meaningful way for young children to learn about the world, themselves, and each other. We strive to provide the time, space, materials, and thoughtful guidance needed by children to optimize their own learning, and to build the positive, confident self-concept they need to reach their fullest potential.
Parent Involvement
We understand the immense impact of parent involvement in a child’s education. Our co-op model actively involves parents in the daily activities and running of our school, fostering a shared sense of community and shared responsibility for the children’s learning experiences.
Parent Education
Our program includes learning opportunities for parents to gain a deeper understanding of child development and effective parenting strategies, and provides resources, classes, and guidance to empower parents in their crucial role as their child’s first teacher. Our goal is not just for parents to gain skills they can use immediately, but also to access the self-confidence and community support they will need to maintain and hone their skills long after their time at CCNS is over.
Collaborative Learning
Our emphasis on collaboration fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for children, parents, and teachers. The sharing of unique perspectives and talents is encouraged, which enriches the learning environment for all.
Holistic Development
We are committed to nurturing the holistic development of each child. Our approach uses play as a means for fostering the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and creative development of children. We aim to foster resiliency, empathy, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Respect for Diversity
We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Our inclusive environment values and respects the unique cultural, linguistic, and individual differences between families, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all.
Continual Growth and Adaptation
We are committed to continuous learning and growth to refine our program and meet the needs of our students. Continuously assessing our practices and supporting our teachers in engaging in meaningful, ongoing professional development helps us to provide a valuable and responsive learning experience for young children.
These key principals create a rich and growing community where children, parents, and educators collaborate to create a nurturing and stimulating environment that lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. We believe that these vital elements allow us to work together as a community to create a safe and supportive educational experience that supports the whole child.
Our History
CCNS has been helping families and the community since its inception in March 1953 by a group of parents searching for a new way to begin their children’s education. They began with morning sessions and a weekly night meeting for parents at the Cupertino Youth Center. In 1955, CCNS was included in the Adult Education program of the Fremont Union High School District. CCNS was located on the campus of Fremont High School (pictured right) from 1986 until the school moved to its new location at St Luke Church in Sunnyvale in Spring 2024. The school is affiliated with the Santa Clara Valley Council of Parent Participation Preschools (SCVC) and the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools (CCPPNS).
Accreditation
CCNS is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) . We achieved accreditation in 1992 and have prioritized maintaining accreditation ever since.
Awards
In 2019, Teacher Jennie won the CCPPNS Teacher award for her outstanding service to our cooperative school for creating and launching our Big Trees program
In 2007, CCNS received Award for Excellence in Early Education from The City of Sunnyvale.
