California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School (CHPPNS) is a teacher-run, parent volunteer preschool for children aged 2.5 - 5 years. School is in session at the Somerset Park Tot Lot on Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Our school has an enrollment of 12-15 children between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years. To be eligible, a child must be daytime potty-trained at the time of entrance.

Each new child/family is placed on a six-week trial period before final acceptance is made into the program. This trial period ensures that CHPPNS is a healthy fit for the parents and child.

Tuition for the 2024/2025 school year (September-June) is $3,500 which can be paid in one lump sum or in monthly installments of $350. In addition, a $50 supplies fee is paid at the start of each semester, in September and January. Each parent is required to work one day a week at the school and fill a job position.

Parents may bring ONE other child/sibling with them on their work day, as long as the child is not a distraction to the class. We offer a 20% off rate of $2,800 for the school year ($280/month) for a sibling enrolled in the program at the same time. Work day buy-out option available on a case-by-case basis.

Meetings are usually held once per month. At the beginning of the year, a monthly date and time will be selected that works for everyone. These meetings are mandatory and are crucial to the success of the preschool. Each family is only permitted to miss one meeting per year due to the fact that this is when we make policies, voice concerns and suggestions, discuss business matters, plan field trips, and more.

9:00am - Teacher and working parents arrive - begin setting up materials

9:15am - Children arrive (parents must sign child in)

9:30am - Teacher leads children in welcome song, announcements of the day, group learning (e.g., alphabet, letters, weather, days of the week, nursery rhymes etc…)

10:00am - Playtime on the court (e.g., bikes, chalk, bubbles, balls, games etc)

10:30am - Children assist in cleaning up toys from volleyball court and wash hands

10:40am - Snack time at picnic tables (snack provided by one working parent)

11:00am - Work time (play in areas, dramatic play, manipulative, blocks, art, library) and one on one teacher/student activity of the day

11:30am - Choice Play, including playground and sand area

11:50pm - Clean up time

12:00-12:15 - Rest Time and Good Bye song

12:15-12:30 pm - Pick up time. Teacher is available for conferences during this time.