As parents of a child at ADNS, you are members of a parent-led co-operative nursery school. This means that the very existence of the school depends on your commitment and dedication through the school year. The parent body works together toward common goals, the most important of which is to provide a happy, safe, satisfying preschool experience for our children.

Your annual responsibilities in the co-op are:

• Duty parent
• Volunteering for one of a number of positions
• Participating in school activities and events as able

Parent Duty Days

As a co-op, classes depend on duty parents to ensure high adult/child ratios. A "duty day" is one session where a parent attends school, provides a snack for class, and helps in the running of the program for the morning. Parents will be assigned for duty in either the Toddler room or the Preschool room, on a day that their child normally attends. Every effort is made to have parents do their duty day in their child’s class, however given class sizes, occasionally Preschool parents may be assigned to do their duty in the Toddler class. Our program is designed such that duty parents are required from 9:00 am – 11:30 pm. A monthly duty schedule is created at least 1 week before the month end, and is posted on both the ADNS website, as well as in hard copy at the school. Generally, you will be assigned one duty day per month. If you are unable to attend on your specific duty day, it is your responsibility to contact another family to switch dates. Please ensure any changes are recorded on the master schedule and the website. In addition, you may make requests in advance for certain duty dates by contacting the duty scheduler. Learn more about duty day responsibilities.

Volunteering

As a co-op, the costs of operating the school are kept down by employing our parents in volunteer roles. As a member of ADNS, each family must take on one volunteer position. The school offers various volunteer opportunities, including:

1. Membership on the Board

The Board is responsible for hiring teachers, applying for grants, budgeting and evaluating the school staff. While the Executive Committee makes great use of the Director and other staff in carrying out these and other duties, it is the Executive Committee, and hence, the members of ADNS, who bear final responsibility for the school. Board Members are also expected to attend monthly Board Meetings. A number of executive positions, each with its own set of responsibilities, must be filled each year, including:

• President
• Vice-president
• Treasurer
• Communications
• Registrar
• Secretary
• Duty Scheduler
• Laundry
• Webmaster

2. Cheese/Coffee Coordinator

A volunteer is required to actively encourage families to place standing orders, to determine and publicize to the school body the dates for cheese and coffee orders for the year, and to provide support to the families who volunteer for Cheese and Coffee sales and distribution.

3. Cheese Sales

ADNS sells Wilton cheese as one of its main fund-raisers. Volunteers are required to collect forms, and pick up cheese from the factory. This volunteer position generally requires taking on 3 cheese pickups and deliveries for the year.

4. Coffee Sales

ADNS sells Multatuli Organic coffee as another fund-raising activity. Volunteers are required to market, collect forms, and pick up coffee from the outlet. This volunteer position generally requires taking on 3-4 coffee pickups and deliveries for the year.

5. Silent Auction Event

ADNS generally holds one main fund-raising event per year. Volunteers for this event are part of a committee who organize the entire event. The main responsibility for this committee is coordinating a silent auction, by obtaining donations from parents, local businesses and other sources.

6. End of Year Pool Party

ADNS has traditionally held an end-of-year Pool Party. Volunteers for the pool party work as part of a committee to organize this event, including planning and organizing the venue, entertainment and food.

Opt Out

If families feel they cannot fulfill their volunteer obligation, they can choose to ‘opt out’ by paying a tax deductible fee of $250 at the beginning of the school year.

Family Involvement

Involvement by all families at ADNS is essential for the effective operation of the co-operative. The quality of the Nursery School is directly related to the efforts and commitments of all the school members.