About
The Garden Nursery School is a parent cooperative preschool in Los Angeles, CA, serving mixed-age groups of children ages 2–5. The program is outdoor and play-based with a child-led, emergent curriculum that emphasizes social-emotional growth, language development, and problem-solving. The school follows a nonviolent, empathetic approach to communication (NVC) to create a safe, caring environment.
Families participate through a weekly co-op workday and a family job. The half-day schedule runs from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Daily experiences include process-oriented art, music, sensory play, dramatic play, and opportunities for discovery that support both gross and fine motor development. Music Together enrichment is offered during circle time on select days.
The Garden Nursery School provides parent education and resources, including materials on Nonviolent Communication and curated readings on play-based learning, inclusion, and empathy-based discipline. Admissions include seasonal school tours and an application and interview process, with scholarships available.
The school is led by Director Lisa Anand, who joined the community as a parent in 2007, became a teacher in 2012, and has served as Director since 2014. She holds a California Child Development Program Director Permit and brings extensive early childhood education experience.