The school’s philosophy is rooted in the belief, articulated by Katherine Whiteside Taylor—author of Parents and Children Learn Together—that parents play a crucial role in a young child’s education. Taylor, a pioneer in the cooperative preschool movement, began her international career by organizing her first cooperative preschool in 1916. Her advocacy for parent involvement in early childhood education eventually led to the founding of Parent Cooperative Preschools International in the 1960s, where she served as an advisor until her passing in 1989.

The educational approach at PPNS draws from influential figures in educational psychology, including Jean Piaget. Piaget emphasized the importance of a child’s interaction with their environment for intellectual development, stating, “What people think of as understanding is merely an ability to repeat the right answer. But to comprehend is to invent, not just repeat. Teaching means creating situations where structure (or truths) can be discovered.” At PPNS, we embrace this philosophy, allowing children to learn through their own discoveries.

We offer children a rich and engaging learning environment where they are free to make choices, provided these choices do not infringe on the rights, safety, or respect for others or the environment. By giving them freedom within well-defined boundaries, we aim to foster a sense of security and empower them to use their knowledge to make decisions independently.

Our focus is on helping children develop self-awareness and self-regulation. To achieve this, we guide them with respect, understanding, and appropriate limits. We believe that effective boundaries are few, firm, and fair.

We prefer to guide children indirectly, allowing them the space to find their own solutions. However, when health or safety requires direct intervention, we approach it with care, ensuring their well-being while treating them with respect.

Recognizing that we are role models for children, we maintain respectful relationships with them. We believe in treating children with respect, understanding, gentleness, and sincerity. By listening to them and looking beyond their actions to understand their feelings and the circumstances driving their behavior, we aim to encourage, support, and guide them. Above all, we want children to know that we trust, care for, and will be there for them whenever they need us.