A Cooperative Preschool in Portland, Maine

We are currently enrolling for the 2022–2023 school year!  Please look for more details on our Enrollment page.

The Children’s Nursery School (CNS) is a co-operative and NAEYC accredited preschool nestled in the courtyard of downtown’s historic State Street Church. Daily, students nurture meaningful friendships while challenging their social, emotional, creative and intellectual boundaries.

Our 2022-2023 program is filling up fast, but we do have a few spaces left.  We will will continue to accept applications via email and mail.  If you have any questions about CNS or would like a tour of the classroom, please let us know and we will be in touch!

IMG_9866

CNS has taught my boys the real skills they need to be successful in life: kindness, compassion, empathy and love.

Teo and Stephanie Doyle

IMG_0127

Not only does our daughter have wonderful teachers and school friends at CNS, she has a network of other parents with whom she feels extremely comfortable. One of my favorite parts of CNS is watching these relationships develop, and knowing that her first experience of the world without me is rich with interesting, thoughtful, loving adults.

Kitty Hudson-Smith