What is a Co-op?

A co-operative nursery school is a community-based preschool program that runs through the coOperation of both educators and family volunteers. It is organized and administered by the caregivers of attending children.
Caregivers can volunteer in different capacities, such as:

-Assisting in the morning class on a rotating basis. (We have volunteers in the classroom twice per week)

-Serving as Executive Board Members

-Attending co-op meetings

-Working on committees such as the play dough committee, outdoor play space committee, or toy/classroom committee

How this benefits your family:

• Co-operative schools offer you the opportunity to be involved in your child’s early
  education, having a voice in the daily operation of your child’s school.
• It is rewarding to support your child’s school with your time, and fun to see your child
  within their classroom environment. Children love to see their family members come
  into the classroom!
• It is a chance for you to make new friends and extend your community of support. It is
  empowering to come together with like-minded people who acknowledge the
  importance of quality early childhood education in their children’s lives.
  How volunteering supports our school:
• Parental involvement helps keep fees affordable.
• Fundraising efforts ensure enhanced programming continues.
• Our community works together to maintain the exceptional quality of the school.
• Our volunteers are an integral part of what makes our school so special. It truly is a community of support!

Our volunteers are an integral part of what makes our school so special. It truly is a community of support!

Where We Began…

Awesome Beginnings Co-Operative Nursery School was founded in 1978, originally under the name of Strabane Co-operative Nursery School.

When a group of area mothers discovered that the applications they had sent to another preschool had been lost, that the school was now full, and that there were no other local
options, they took action. The mothers joined together to establish their own nursery school.

Twenty years later in September 1998, the nursery school moved from the basement of the Strabane United Church to it’s present location at the Carlisle Community Centre

In June 2001 the nursery school officially changed it’s name to Awesome Beginnings CoOperative Nursery School. Over almost 50 years, we have established a history of quality care and early childhood education that sets children up for success in their early learning.

ABC Nursery School was formed out of coming together in community spirit and support, a mind-set that is still a pillar for us today!

Awesome Beginnings Co-Operative Nursery School offers an exceptional introduction to your child’s first educational experience.