About Us

Established in 1965, Spring Knolls embraces a play-based learning philosophy in a cooperative community while focusing on the “whole child.” We are a small, tightly-knit community that in many ways feels more like a family than a school. We have just one class per age group, which means children progress from year to year alongside the same set of peers. This gives children an opportunity to build, deepen, and sustain their friendships. It also allows parents to delight in the progress and transformation not just of their own child, but of an entire community of children.

What is Play-Based Learning?

Play-based philosophy is learning through play. Play-based is self-guided, process-oriented, and open-ended play, which allows the child to be in creative control of their learning choices. A play-based curriculum fosters a sense of freedom and control over a child’s natural and social environments. At the same time, play fuels their imaginations and allows them to acquire fundamental skills that will prepare them for their older years. Through the power of play, children thrive in all of the five developmental domains: social, language, cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor skills.

What is a Cooperative Community?

A cooperative community means that parents are directly involved with the administration of the school. All parents help in the school operations, from marketing to facilities upkeep. Parents are also invited to “co-op,” or serve as helpers in the classroom, although this is not a requirement. Cooperative schools offer parents a unique opportunity to create and contribute to the kind of community they might wish for their child—one that is warm, nurturing, creative, and filled with a network of families that actively support and celebrate one another.

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For further information on the importance of play in children’s development, check out these recent articles:

• Want to get your kids into college? Let them play

• Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum

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