We have loved their Little Explorers program and the entire community is so welcoming. Thank you for being part of my girl's development and mine, too! read more

We absolutely love Oneonta Co-op Nursery School! Our daughter is in her second year here and still wakes up excited to go every single morning. The teachers are patient, creative, and genuinely care about every child--they strike that perfect balance of nurturing and encouraging independence. What really makes Oneonta special, though, is the community. The co-op model brings parents together in such a meaningful way; you don't just drop your kid off--you become part of a caring, supportive village. We've made real friendships here, and watching our daughter grow socially and emotionally has been incredible. If you're looking for a preschool that's joyful, intentional, and community-driven, this is it. Couldn't recommend it more highly! read more

We are in our 5th and final year at Oneonta Co-Op. My two children have thrived at this preschool under the curriculum and guidance of loving teachers and supportive director. I couldn't imagine going through early childhood without this preschool. I have been supported through difficult times, have made life long friendships and memories. Forever grateful that we joined this preschool. read more

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My daughter has been at Oneonta for three years now (beginning with the caretaker-and-me Little Explorers program). This was her first experience with any school or care facility and I honestly couldn't ask for a better first step into her education. The teachers and director here are so incredible. Caring, inclusive and deeply committed to the social emotional growth of these little humans. In addition, the parents are so wonderful and truly have started to feel like that "village" I didn't think existed anymore. My kid gets to be EXACTLY who she is here. Her interests are expanded upon through play. The play yard and bike yard are fantastic and something that I realized were hard to find elsewhere. They have plenty of time outdoors to explore freely (within a safe, closed off environment), get dirty, messy, challenge themselves and gain confidence. My girl's personality is thriving! Thank you OCNS for your heart. read more

This was our daughter's first school experience and truly could not have asked for a better school. It's more than a school really, it's a little community of people investing in your child. They go to great lengths to allow kids to be kids. Play is the focus! They spend a lot of time outdoors which was a huge priority for us. Our daughter loves the play yard and the muddy river! It's truly a kids paradise. This is much more than your average preschool experience! Couldn't recommend more to parents! read more

Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School - First day of school at OCNS! - Preschools Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I was part of this school starting from the Little Explorers and Greenhouse classes and I think the playground is definitely a positive with an abundant sandpit for the sensory experience and the teachers are very nice and it is a good community for parents to participate and give input. One thing I would caution is that if you have a kid who is working on toileting, it is a little harder from 2 to 3yrs because it is not part of the regular routine to have toileting breaks ans they may regress. As a result I had a few occasions when my kid had wet himself sometime before pickup but he was still in wet clothes. Maybe it was mistaken from the water play at the time. As 2 yr olds sometimes touch their faces or put things in their mouths, i also wanted to see more cleanliness and disinfection protocols in the Greenhouse classroom, especially during the winter with flu season etc with the water play station and with other toys. Other than that I appreciated the experiences that were offered and we have moved on to a full time school now. read more

This is my fourth year at Oneonta, my son started here when he had just turned 2 years old and started in the Greenhouse MWF class for two years then moved to the Treehouse Pre-k class his last year. My daughter started in the Greenhouse MWF last year and is currently in the Sunroom (age 3-4). The teachers at this school are amazing and genuinely care for the students which is what kept me here for so long. This Co-op truly feels like a family and I was worried that being a single mother would be difficult for me to fulfill any of the requirements but it has been such a great experience and has been easy to adjust. The campus is beautiful and there are three classrooms that really create a great learning and play environment. My favorite part of the school is the play yard which has been my kids favorite place! The teachers have allowed my children to explore and grow into who they are meant to be. My kids have loved that they get to learn in the way that works best for them. Both my kids love this school but specifically love the teachers who have made their experiences here so special. read more

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Imagine this- dropping your 2 year old at a new nursery school and NO TEARS. Not on the first day, not any day since. The staff is so warm, patient, and intuitive that the kids feel right at home. My little guy tells me "I wub my new school" all the time. We could not be happier. Can't wait to see him grow and blossom in the Oneonta community. read more

Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School - Preschools Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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I went to 6 different schools and did drop ins and school tours... none of those schools checked off everything on our list. After all the school tours... we finally decided to go check out Oneonta. We are so glad we did... Oneonta has everything on our list!! Everything!! Our son loves his school and all the teachers. He talks about them all the time. He has never cried during a drop off (not even the first day) but he has left crying because he doesn't want school to end or leave his favorite area... the play yard where he gets to climb, splash around in the "river", goes exploring in the "jungle", puts out "fires" and makes "pies". We love their teaching philosophy and it works with our son's personality which makes the drive from Burbank to South Pasadena well worth it! YES! From Burbank to South Pasadena! read more

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Almost 3.5 yers ago when I started my preschool hunt, this co-op wasn't on my radar. A mommy group friend whose daughter was in the Little Explorers program mentioned it after hearing my disappointment with one aspect or another touring popular school after school. As soon as I stepped on campus, met the amazing teachers and saw the classrooms, bike yard & play yard, I knew this was where my son would thrive. The teachers are incredible- bringing the kids new varied experiences through play each day and helping build their social-emotional skills. The community is diverse, warm & supportive, and the co-op obligations that seemed overwhelming for full-time working parents have been manageable and things I look forward to. As my son wraps his final year, it's bittersweet, but we'll be a part of this community for quite a few more years as my 1 yr old gets going this fall! read more

First enrolled our older daughter back when she was 2 yrs, 9 mo old. We are so pleased to see how she and younger sister have grown through this parent co-op, play-based school. Their style is child-led, and they spend at least half the morning outdoors. Our older daughter could have spent this year in TK, but we brought her back to OCNS instead. She happens to have perfectionist tendencies, strong interest in academics, competitive spirit and fear of failure. So this kind of atmosphere, focused on developing empathy, self-confidence, curiosity, creativity, etc. has been great for her. No worksheets, homework, performances, or sitting in straight lines. Excellent teachers and facilities. Good overall system, although it does take time to understand it all. If you are available to meet the parent requirements of co-op preschool life I recommend scheduling a tour. read more

We absolutely love Oneonta Nursery School! It checks all of the boxes for us. The staff is highly trained, the facilities are incredible and the support from the community is one of a kind. The outdoor spaces are safe and age appropriate and filled with unique hands on learning opportunities for the children. Inside the class, we love spaces for pretend play and exploration, science, art, reading and so much more. The community is diverse and there are lots of opportunities for parent education too. We are huge fans of the school and so thankful for all of our wonderful experiences here! read more

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This is my daughters 3rd year at Oneonta. I love this school, the staff, and community more than I can say. Every day my daughter comes home covered in goo, and play yard sand with a smile on her face. Most days she doesn't want to leave. She loves all of her teachers. I have a feeling that we'll stay connected to them long after our time at Oneonta has passed. My girl will be moving on to Kindergarten next year and I have every confidence that she is socially and emotionally ready for the next stage of her school years. read more

This school is FUN!! We just finished our first year at Oneonta. My daughter was in the 3 year old class with Mrs. Vahala. She is exactly the teacher you want your child to have for their first school experience! She is kind, patient, calm, creative, fun and the kids really respect her. Helping out in the classroom, (about twice a month, but that depends on how many days a week your child goes to school), is a lot of fun. The classroom is very organized and it's clear what you can do to help. I love that it gives me a chance to see what my daughter does at school, and also get to know her friends & their families. This school has THREE different play yards!! The morning begins with several activity tables set up for the children to chose from, then circle time, then off to visit 2 of the play yards. One of the play yards, is a bike yard, with lots of different bikes to chose from, tricycles, wagons, scooters, but also hula hoops, and balls to play with, etc. The second play yard has more traditional playground equipment, and also a general store, a fire station (including fireman coats, hats, a fire pole), and a kitchen with working sink. Then, it's back to the classroom for a healthy snack (that one of the two parent volunteers bring). There is a bit more classroom time, storytime, then the kids visit that 3rd play area, which has a low tree/playhouse, several easels are set up with paint, a train table, a giant tire filled w water & boats, a lovely garden (that the children plant things in) and a sensory table. *update We have begun our second year & it's going just as well! We love the new director, teachers & aides. They are all incredibly nice & hard working. read more

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This is our first year at Oneonta, & so far so good! My 3 year old loves getting dropped off! The transition into Pre-k couldn't of been easier. I personally like the teacher to student ratio, the cleanliness of the classroom, and the various activities that are set up daily for the kids. After touring a couple schools in the area, we are definitely happy with our choice! :) read more

My daughter is finishing her third year at Oneonta and we couldn't be happier with her education. I am a credentialed teacher with my masters in education and I definitely took my time to tour many other preschools, with much disappointment, before I found our wonderful Oneonta. I really like the co-op environment at Oneonta. With parents helping in the classroom, the teachers can focus on curriculum and content rather than setting up snack, cleaning, etc. And being involved in the classroom has been so special for both me and my daughter (and now my son, who just finished his first year at Oneonta). The volunteer commitment is just right--for a two-day-a-week class, a parent is required to work in the classroom about once per month. There are a few other service days and projects required, too, but I've been able to choose responsibilities that interest me. My daughter has had every teacher in the school over her three years and we have loved them all. My daughter will be more than prepared for kindergarten, and it was definitely the right choice for our family. read more

There are a number of great preschools in South Pasadena and Oneonta is definitely one of them. Like any other school, it has its pros and cons. We choose this school because it worked for us as a family. It has much to recommend itself; good teachers, beautiful grounds, and a friendly, involved parent community. They have a solid play-based, age-appropriate curriculum. Price-wise, no one can beat it. On the other hand, it's a co-op which means you must commit to being "hands on". This entails working in the classroom at least once a month, attending mandatory meetings, committing to an year-long aide or Board position and finally serving on a work crew twice per school year. Classroom hours are limited and there is no before/after care. Overall, this is a great school with many attractive qualities. If you can invest the time in your child's education and you'd like to watch first-hand as she/he grows as a pre-schooler, this is the place for you. 9/2012: Edited to add a star. After our first full year, we are very pleased with this school. The excellence of the community and teachers far outweighs any negatives. In regards to the parent culture, I believe that it is what you make of it. A cooperative is a diverse group of people working together for a common goal. As with any preschool, it's important to find the right fit for both your child and your family. read more

Please keep in mind that all these great reviews were written before this school year, and there is an entirely different direction and director now, as well as new teachers who are great, but there are not nearly enough of them. If you are looking for the experiences as reviewed below, you might want to really make some inquiries. It seems to me, with an energetic child of my own, they were quick to treat problems in a very general old-school way, (the new director has a background in everything *except* co-op) and VERY quick to suggest every sort of therapy short of medication. They are short staffed and unequipped to handle much variance in budding personalities. And they won't call you when your child asks to come home, leading to, in my case, a panic attack in a 4yo boy, where the outcome in class is horrible for everyone and unfair to the teacher and students. After response: Yes yes every teacher is great. But I'm glad she wrote back- so you can see all the academic power and not enough of the children's power. And notice, too, that the whole thing talks about everything but HERSELF. I almost fell asleep trying to read it. Everything I said I still stand by. He's flourishing in a different school- they say 'you act so surprised when you find out he had a great day!'. Such a difference. Blessed. I never, ever would say anything about the wonderful teachers. Btw, there was No call when 'child is in distress' that morning. If it's 'documented,' show me. So sorry that you say you're 'sad' but if you felt an ounce of sadness and distress that I felt, perhaps you'd understand. Of you could put yourself in a parents shoes, with their first baby, If you had a child, perhaps you'd understand. If you had called with the final news, or even written the email, perhaps I wouldn't have felt so lost at sea. If you hadn't passed your dirty work on to a board member to email me, perhaps I would have thought of you as a strong, definitive, empathetic, kind person. It's not the school, it's not the teachers, it's no one but the director. Irrefutable. IMHO. read more

We LOVE this preschool! My son is an active and rambunctious little guy who loves all things kineshetic. This school provides not only the structure needed for academic success in elementary school, but it also provides lots of opportunities for the kids to run, jump, and have fun! They have 3 different outdoor play spaces the kids visit daily... That's my son's favorite thing about Oneonta. We attended Sunrise Preschool pasadena at the same time as Oneonta for the month of September. (I missed the cut off day to get a refund of September tuition at Sunrise) By the second week, my son clearly preferred Oneonta. He told me that at Oneonta, "the teachers talk to me, and that I have lots of friends, and at Sunrise I have no friends and the teacher only talks to me a little bit." At Oneonta, there is a ratio of 1 adult per 3-4 children.... I love that. The children get so much more individualized attention. read more

To play a role in your child's development as a person, an individual and a student is possibly one of the most rewarding things you can ever experience. To see it unfold while he or she works on their social skills and adjusts to the transition into a school environment is priceless. You get that opportunity at Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School. My son spent two years at the school and his introduction to the schedules and daily routines where aided by nurturing, friendly and positive teachers. More importantly, because it is a co-op I was able to work in the classroom and help with the transition to bona fide student. "Are you working in the classroom today?" There is nothing better than the look on your child's face when they know you are working in the classroom. Don't get me wrong, at Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School your hands will get full of paint, you'll play in a giant sandbox, you'll become highly proficient at red light/green light, and you'll learn to laugh at "Why did the chicken cross the road?" jokes. But, it is worth it all and a little more. Entering school is part of growing up and you'll get to experience it right along with your child. The transition from home life to school life is gradual and as a parent it helps to slowly adjust right along with your child. It also helps to play a role and be able to examine your child's strengths and weaknesses. Oneonta Cooperative nursery School is affordable, safe, and friendly. The staff is professional and the campus is expansive. You'll be hard pressed to find another nursery school in the South Pasadena / San Marino area with as much room for the kids to play as you will at Oneonta Nursery School. As a co-op, parents make up the Board of Directors and play a major role in all decision making. That first day, when you drop off your baby for the first time, when you silently cry in your car, you'll be happy to know that there are quite a few friendly faces in the parking lot willing to help you through the shock that your baby is growing up. read more

After leaving another preschool late in the school year, we thankfully landed at Oneonta Co-Op almost two years ago. What an amazing Gem. As a first time parent like me, you of course may be anxious and worried about every little thing when leaving your precious one for a few hours of fun at their first preschool experience. I know I was. Everything from snack, to how potty time would be handled (yes that was a big deal for us when we started) was calmly explained not only with grace, but never made me feel like I was being overly excited. The classrooms are an energetic and tidy blend of art, learning tables and play. The Teachers and Aides in each and every class are nothing short of Saints. Reina, is a down to earth Director, whose door is literally always open--pop in or call at any time. I had many questions that first few months and she gave me her mobile so I could be connected. A Co-operative is a place of love, learning and pure dedication for all involved, not earning the big bucks, trust me. I think a Co-operative environment may not be for everyone. We wanted to be involved in the school experience and welcomed the participation. I remember the week before school started in a general board meeting, we were told that we would look back on these days with our children and other parents fondly, I look back at just the last two years fondly! I am not a stay at home mom. I work (from home) and am back in school, so the participation can be done--even with busy schedules. I have met my very best friend here, our children were born on the exact same day and we instantly bonded working in the class together--trading stories over where we were when we went into labor that day! Working in the class will give you not only a peek at your own little one busy at "school" but you will get to know a instant group of kids that your child has formed friendships with. I think it is tremendously helpful to see your own child working through things developmentally inside the classroom. What else can I say? We are very happy. read more

My daughter is in her second year at Oneonta. She is a bright, outgoing girl and this school is PERFECT for her! I love the family-like feel that I have with many of the children and parents, as we spend so much time talking and interacting positively with each other. In addition to caring and supportive staff, Oneonta has three FABULOUS outdoor play spaces and most of their day is spent outside exploring and playing. Many of the kids don't want to leave after school and several parents and kids spend another hour or so playing on the grass on the beautiful Oneonta Congregational Church campus. I am thankful that we found Oneonta. read more

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This is my son's third year at Oneonta and each year seems to get even better! Some basic facts: 15 students in each class, 4 classes total, for a total of 60 kids in the entire preschool. For the 3-year old class, you can choose either a MWF or TR schedule. For the 4-year old class, you can choose either a MWF or MTRF schedule. There are four adults in each classroom (one teacher, one assistant, and two working parents). This is a traditional nursery school with morning classes only; there is no after school care offered. There are three outside play areas, and each one is AMAZING!!! The play yard is all sand, and many of the structures were built by Oneonta parents. There is large play structure with a climbing wall/tower/bridge/slide, fire station, swings, dramatic play house, river with running water, and a play kitchen with a working sink, and more. The bike yard is actually a completely enclosed full-size basketball court. There are 30-some bikes/trikes/scooters and even a skuut bike. This is the only school that I visited that had a dedicated bike yard where the children could ride around and around to their heart's content with more than enough bikes for each child. Most schools only have a few bikes and a limited area to ride. Many children learn to ride a two-wheeler at school because of this great exposure in the bike yard. In addition to riding bikes, there are also roller skates, hula hoops, and an assortment of balls for the children to play with. The patio is connected to the three-year old classroom and also completely enclosed. It features a reading loft, water play, wooden blocks, vegetable garden, train table, science center, art easels, and some other rotating activities. I appreciate that the classes are kept separate. When the children are playing outside, there is only one class in each play area. When my son was not quite three years old and just starting preschool, I felt that this was important in making him comfortable at school. With four adults watching the fifteen children, you feel that your child is safe and well-cared for. There is always someone to interact with the children, whether it is to push on the swings, play in the kitchen, label artwork, read a book, etc. I also appreciated that during my son's more difficult first year of preschool (he was a new big brother), one of the the teachers would always be there to hold him and play with him when I dropped him off. Classroom time is very organized. When you drop off your child, they start off in the classroom and there are four tables set up with different activities with an adult manning each table. One of them is usually a craft, one is usually a game, and the other two are skill-building tables. I liked the fact that the teacher always wrote the name of each child on the back of the craft BEFORE class started so we were always able to make sure each child did the craft/art activity that day. As a co-op preschool, it has been really fun to work in the classroom and get to know the children, parents, and teachers better. You can imagine how great the teachers must be to have two parents watching their every move each day! It has been wonderful to see my shy son talk to other parents and tell me about them at the end of the day. It has also been fun to get emails from other parents telling me something funny or cute my son did that day. My son has made new friends and a new best friend each year... but still keeps in touch with his old best friends. He can't wait for his younger brother to start school here as well! read more

I heard about Oneonta from my friend Jennifer. I came to hear her daughter sing Halloween songs when she was in V3 and I helped Jennifer set up the Christmas party the first year she was in charge of it. I thought the school couldn't be more charming and close knit. She started encouraging me to take my son to Oneonta right away - I mean, right after he was born right away. My husband and I went to the open house last year - my friends were there helping out - and you see that everywhere you look at Oneonta - parents show up and participate and work together - it really does make this school great. As soon as we took the tour, we wanted our son to go - I encourage anyone even considering Oneonta to call and arrange a tour - you will get a strong sense of what this school is about just from walking through the play yards and seeing the classrooms. We are not in our second semester in V3 - our son loves it, we love knowing all the other kids and parents. As much as I stress myself out to make crazy imaginative snacks when I'm snack parent, I love it - it is a great day spending three hours at the school with all these sweet kids - watching them play and create and learn. Like Aurora said, this is a co-op, you must commit to being involved - I just helped with the tour for this year's open house and I told my group that it seems like a lot when you first hear what you need to do - you work in the classroom 3-4 times over each two month period, you choose a parent aide position, and there are mandatory meetings - but once you go to your first meeting, work your first classroom shift, etc, it all levels out and it doesn't feel like that much. It is definitely do-able - my husband and I both work and there have been a few times we had to juggle things around to make it all happen - but you figure it out. It is worth it to know the teachers and the other parents and the kids as well as you will get to know them. read more

I have two kids, a 7 year old and a 3.5 year old. We've been fortunate enough to been a part of two other co-operative play-based preschools (Sierra Madre and CEC Co-op), and now Oneonta. My 3.5 year old daughter started at this school just last month, Sep 2018. Now that we're more than 2 months in, we've had enough experiences and been able to build the foundations for enough new friendships such that I can genuinely say that we love this school. And for me, what makes up the beauty of this school is the following: 1) My daughters teachers (Debbie, Coralee, sometimes Andrea and sometimes Sierra). Their love for each child, their dedication to the development and support for each child in whatever their needs are in that particular moment, and their very palpable dedication to teaching. 2) The other children in my daughter's sunroom class. Once you know the other kids, it is impossible for you not to love them too! :-) 3) The other families. The other parents' tireless commitment to the successful operation of the school and how they've built and continue to build the community here. I came to Oneonta this school year because of 1) the proximity to home, 2) the hours (9-1p for sunroom), 3) the feeling I got upon meeting one of the co-directors, Debbie, within minutes of talking to her on a school tour, 4) a friend who was talking about how great the school was and how I might like it for it's play-based approach. I had toured this school 4(?) years ago and passed on it pretty quickly. Something in my gut told me it wasn't right for us. At that time, the director was Reina Rogers. Today, the school feels completely different than when I visited in 2014(?). There are two co-directors (Debbie and Karen), who are also lead teachers. In my opinion, the school is a mix of pure play-based philosophy and a play-based approach to executing an academic curriculum. This dual combination is very beautifully done and seemingly (in my non-child development background) very developmentally appropriate. Having come from two other co-operative play-based preschools, I was skeptical of the academic teaching that would take play in the classroom. But I was so wrong. I really ought to give credit to the experts here - they know what they are doing. Debbie, has 20++ years of co-operative play-based preschool. She was most recently as director of Hastings Ranch prior to coming to Oneonta. This woman knows what she is doing! I've seen so much growth and development in my child the past few months. Of course, it is difficult to know if it's because of her preschool or if it's simply the natural course of her own development. But I've got to believe that the school environment plays a big role in her growth and happiness. I would give this school 4.5 stars. Not because I have any major complaints. But because like all things in life, nothing is perfect. One thing I would like to change is that I'd prefer if the teachers did not use their cell phones as the 5-minute heads-up timer inside the classroom. I don't want my daughter unnecessarily exposed to the constant attachment our society has developed to our cell phones, especially while she is at preschool. Perhaps I ought to bring this up directly with the teachers because I'd bet they'd be very open to exploring other possibilities. (Actually I feel icky putting this in a public review without me having even raised my opinion with the teachers yet). In summary, I am SO GLAD i re-visited this school and enrolled my daughter this school year. It has been a wonderful place for our family and has truly started to feel like home :-) read more

My two boys, 3 and 4 years old, have flourished at Oneonta. This is our 2nd year and we have loved it! When on the school hunt, I wanted to find a preschool that included parent involvement, and the co-op model does not disappoint! Not only did we get to know the boys' classmates, but the parents as well. The play yard and bike yard were immediate sells to us as parents as our boys love to move move move! read more

We are very happy at Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School! My oldest son is half way through his first year at the school and I'm confident that we'll enroll our youngest once he's old enough to attend. Oneonta embraces hands on learning and truly encourages the children to explore and participate at their own pace. As a Co-Op, it's an incredible opportunity to not only volunteer in your child's classroom, but actually collaborate with the teachers to create the most developmentally appropriate program for students. For example, if your family is celebrating a holiday, or you're welcoming a new baby, the teachers want to know and will build the curriculum around these events. The teachers are warm and friendly, they nurture the children and make them feel safe and confident in their first preschool experience. When my son was home sick his teachers called us to check in on him. Little acts of kindness like a simple phone call make our whole family feel like we matter. My son loves going to preschool and I know it's because of the environment and people at Oneonta. We are grateful to have many more years ahead of us in this community. read more

This is our son's first year at Oneonta and it's exceeded our expectations. Oneonta was incredibly helpful in preparing our son to transition into attending school by setting up multiple meet and greet picnics with the teachers and the other families as well as encouraging playgroups with families who have already attended the class our son was entering. Because of this, our son transitioned so easily, right from the start. The staff is great with the kids and come up with a lot of activities that stimulates their interest in learning. Additionally, they are extremely responsive to any questions or concerns the parents may have. Plus, being a Cooperative Nursery School, we can see firsthand and participate in our child's activities while at the school. Sending our son to Oneonta was the best decision we could have made for him. He's made so many friends and his social skills and creative play have really blossomed. read more

We toured all the preschools - coops and otherwise - in Pasadena, South Pasadena and East LA. Oneonta was our first choice and we have been delighted with our daughter's time there. The teachers are nurturing and warm, while still remaining specific and direct with the students. The director, Reina Rogers, is a lovely, smart, kind woman. Case in point - my daughter left her beloved blankie in her cubby hole on Friday and Reina went to the school (at 6pm on a Friday night!!!) retrieved the blankie and hand-delivered it to our house. If that doesn't say it all! Our family has loved our time at Oneonta. If you are looking for an environment in which your child will thrive - look no further. Oneonta really is the best. And we did our research! read more

We are in the middle of our second year at Oneonta, both years with Miss Dawn in the Greenhouse for the littles (and the little littles). With both parents working full time jobs, I never expected to end up at a cooperative school. But, after scouring the Internet and visiting multiple schools looking for an affordable preschool with a great outdoor space and a passion for outdoor play, Oneonta was one of very few schools that fit the bill. And our daughter has flourished there. She comes home tired, muddy, covered in paint, singing new songs, chattering about science experiments ("exploding rainbows!") and the teachers and school friends she wants to invite over to her house -- and asking, "Can I stay at school longer?" That's exactly what we were looking for. Although we were hesitant at first about our ability to manage both our jobs and our volunteer hours, the hours thusfar have not been burdensome -- and our whole family genuinely looks forward to our snack parent/volunteer parent days. It's an opportunity to take some time out of our busy lives to get to our know our daughter's friends, their parents, and the teachers and see firsthand what happens during her school day. Finally, the teachers with whom we have interacted have all been approachable, responsive to our questions and concerns, and dedicated professionals. They have a fabulous way of speaking with the kids -- full of love and respect -- and we have adopted many of their phrases at home. read more

My family and I are about to start our third year at Oneonta. I am sad reading some of the negative reviews and want to share some of the amazing things I love about the school! One of the best things is the family-like environment and community that we have found at Oneonta. Working in the classroom will not only allow you to see what your child does all day, but will help you cultivate great relationships with the teachers and fellow parents. All of the teachers and staff are amazing and unique in their own ways. All seem to have a genuine love and passion for children. The facilities are great and the outdoor play equipment is perfect if you have active and outdoor loving littles! If you are contemplating a co-op, definitely set up a tour and come check us out! read more

This is our second year at Oneonta and so far it's been a wonderful experience for our 3 year old son. He started there at two years old and loves it. My husband and I love the teachers and parents that we have met. We feel part of an awesome community that's well diverse and open to all kinds of cultures. We are definitely going to enroll our daughter when she's two. read more

My twins are about to graduate from Oneonta and move to Kindergarten. As I reflect on the past 2 years at the school, I feel so lucky to have had this experience. This is a cooperative preschool which means greater parent participation than normal and with twins- my husband and I sure participated often but we don't regret it one bit. Staff - the Director, Teachers and Aides are very friendly, nurturing and seek to bring out the best in every student at the school. The months and weeks are divided into themes and the teachers do an amazing job of tying the crafts, stories, songs, dramatic play area and movement exercises to developmental milestones for the children and keeping in mind what they need to be exposed to and learn before kindergarten. Facility - One of the many things I love about the school is the facility. They have wonderful classrooms with various stations for games, crafts, dramatic play, reading, individual play. They have an outdoor sand play yard with swings, climbing structure, play house, ad water play that rivals anything offered at our local parks. We have our own bike yard! One of my 2 children learned to ride a 2 wheeler in the first few months of school this year from the many weeks of practice on one of the scoot bikes! Parent community - It is wonderful to be a part of the school with so many friendly parents that want to commit some extra time to their child's preschool. My husband and I will be leaving Oneonta with some strong friendships made while a part of this community. We will be sad to leave Oneonta but are so grateful we found it in the first place. We are happy that we decided on this cooperative preschool that has fantastic leadership, amazing teachers, and wonderful facility. Although my children are well prepared this year for moving on to Kindergarten, I am honestly most grateful for the relationships that were built during our 2 years at Oneonta and the positive impact that all of the staff and families have had on them during these formative years. read more

If they can't talk to you nice on phone how can you trust them with your child. They were rude to share any details on phone both the times I called. With background noise of kids playing I can figure out if kids see the way they are talking on phone these kids are getting wrong things to learn. read more

Don't let the word "Cooperative" scare you. Yes, you must be able to work in the classroom about two or three times in a two-month period, and help the school in other ways (aide positions, maintenance). It may not be right for households where both parents work (although there are many families at the school where this is the situation, and they are able to participate because their schedules allow some flexibility). We feel that the amount of time you spend at Oneonta is not overwhelming, and it is a lot of fun to see the kids in the classroom environment. The teachers are fantastic. The play yard is the nicest one I looked at in the area, thanks to the talented parents who build and maintain the equipment. We sent both of our children to Oneonta, and we have met some great families here. If you are up for volunteering and can contribute a little time to the organization, Oneonta is a very rewarding place for your child to begin his or her education. read more

The easiest way to describe Oneonta Cooperative Nursery School is an attempt to describe the dynamics of a family. Different personalities and different goals all coming together at one table. I mention that because your child will get to interact with parent volunteers from all walks of life as well as learn, explore and observe on this great campus. Highlights include: Bike Yard Play yard - With Sand, water, swings, dress up, etc. Large ample classrooms Fabulous staff Parent Involvement Parent led board A director who understands the model because two of her children went there and is a former elementary school teacher Extremely Affordable - The relative cost to others schools in the area is hard to believe. There is a negative comment on this thread from Sgv M. that is difficult to comprehend. Simply put, you get what you put into this school. If you participate you become part of the successful team that makes this school great. There is no need for personal attacks when a school has consistently provided a quality experience for kids in the greater San Gabriel Valley. That direction comes from the director who often times has to make difficult but necessary decisions. I sat on the executive board and I can tell you that it is a thankless job that is where the buck stops. There is no more compassionate person than the director of that school. I have seen her in the classroom, on the play yard and in her role with parents. In order for me to feel safe with my children in a school that is the leadership I am looking for. Our child left Oneonta and has taken those skills he learned and excelled in Kindergarten in South Pasadena. We have a large number of lifelong friends from our time at Oneonta. Tour the school and meet the people and you will be impressed. read more

My son just "graduated" from Oneonta with a lovely closing ceremony. Our whole family, including grandparents, have simply loved our years at Oneonta. The staff is wonderful and the play areas are phenomenal! The teachers and director are certainly in an enviable position. I'll definitely recommend Oneonta to my friends. read more

I have two very different children and both have THRIVED at Oneonta. My daughter started at age 2 and spent three wonderful years here. While at Oneonta she learned to ride a two wheel bike, make play doh, write the alphabet, express herself during disagreements and most importantly...be herself. My daughter is now at public school and is doing very well both academically and socially. Oneonta was such a great place for her and she really blossomed, especially in her final year in the Treehouse (four day a week) classroom. My nearly three year old son is now attending three days a week (Greenhouse classroom) and is so excited to go to preschool. The school's facilities are amazing and he loves going to both the play yard AND the bike yard every day as well as engage in all of the fantastic activities that the teachers prepare. The seven teachers are at this school are experienced, patient and all around lovely individuals. We are so lucky that we found Oneonta four years ago! read more

We love Oneonta Coop! Our son has a fantastic time at school. The teachers are amazing and do an incredible amount of work to prepare great classroom activities for the kids. The families that make the school work are very dedicated and create a great sense of community. read more

Oneonta is terrific community and nursery school. We sent our youngest child here as we wanted to be more involved in the classroom. We have been completely thrilled. The teachers are exceptional and the leadership is extraordinary. In our opinion we could not be more pleased with the children (families), school and especially the care and attention the teachers and director give every child. read more