Business Details
48 Years
experience
Trusted Early Childhood Education in Waterloo
Lakeshore Co-operative Nursery School Co-operative Nursery School has been a trusted partner in early childhood education for over four decades. Founded in 1978, we operate as a non-profit parent-led organization, licensed annually by the Ontario Ministry of Education under the Child Care and Early Years Act. Our emergent curriculum aligns with provincial guidelines while emphasizing inclusivity, cultural awareness, and environmental stewardship. We serve families in Waterloo, Ontario, with half-day programs for children aged 18 months to five years. Our dedicated educators foster growth through play-based learning, open communication, and collaboration with families. We prioritize creating an environment where all children feel valued, respected, and empowered to explore their world.Our commitment to diversity is reflected in our materials, practices, and ongoing efforts to integrate Indigenous perspectives into daily learning. With decades of collective experience, our team combines professional expertise with a deep understanding of child development. We maintain strong community ties through co-operative partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and family engagement programs. Our facility at Christian Fellowship Church provides a welcoming space for learning and connection, free from religious affiliation. We take pride in supporting both neurotypical and neurodiverse children, offering individualized approaches that celebrate each child's unique journey.
Services
Toddler Program
Preschool Program
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We offer a parent-led co-operative model fostering community involvement
- Our licensed educators follow an emergent curriculum aligned with provincial guidelines
- We maintain a 40-year legacy of inclusive early childhood education
- Our staff implements individualized approaches for neurodiverse and neurotypical children
- We emphasize cultural awareness and environmental stewardship in daily learning
What people say
AMAZING teachers
Source of friendship
Accommodating with autistic child
Flourished and grown
Recommend LCNS
Services
Toddler Program
Our Toddler Program serves children aged 18 months to 2.5 years with developmentally appropriate activities. We create a nurturing environment that encourages exploration, social interaction, and foundational learning skills. Our trained educators use play-based approaches to support motor development, language acquisition, and emotional growth.
Preschool Program
The Preschool Program caters to children aged 2.5 to 5 years with structured yet flexible learning experiences. Our curriculum promotes cognitive development, social-emotional skills, and creative expression through hands-on activities. We prepare children for formal schooling while maintaining individualized attention and family collaboration.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We offer programs for children aged 18 months to 5 years, with separate Toddler and Preschool programs.
How is LCNS structured as a co-operative?
As a parent-led co-operative, families participate in governance, classroom activities, and fundraising efforts to support the school.
What curriculum approach do you use?
We follow an emergent curriculum aligned with Ontario guidelines, focusing on play-based learning and child-led exploration.
How do you support special needs children?
We work closely with families and intervention teams, using tools like sign language to create inclusive learning environments.
Are there fundraising requirements?
Yes, families participate in co-operative fundraising initiatives to support school operations and community-building activities.
