MONICA NELSON Acorn Cooperative Preschool has announced its new Program Director and Teacher Monica Nelson. Nelson has over 30 years in early childcare education, including having owned her own pre-school and infant center and worked as a center director. Nelson has taught childcare and infant/toddler courses and has placed, trained and observed high school students with many childcare providers and childcare centers.

Most recently, Nelson taught the Regional Occupation child development class at Mariposa County High School for the 2008-9 school year. After meeting former Acorn Program Director Wendy McCully at the annual Children’s Fair in the Park, Nelson discovered that Acorn Cooperative Preschool was a high-quality, developmental program in which she could place her ROP students for onthe job training. There, Nelson was able to observe the program and have her high school students participate in a developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Nelson’s experience also includes being a public policy advocate for children and families. In that capacity, Nelson served on the Southern California Association for the Education of Young Children’s Public Policy as a co-chair for 15 years. Nelson was also the President of the Santa Clarita NAEYC Affiliate for five years. NAEYC is the largest professional organization of Early Childhood educators in the nation and is very involved in all aspects of childcare and family issues.

As the new director of Acorn Cooperative Preschool Nelson said “I believe my experience and skills as well as my passion for improving young children’s lives will be well utilized at Acorn.”

McCully, who served as the Acorn Cooperative Preschool's director for the past five years and was also one of the founding members when the school started in 2005, made the difficult decision to change jobs. Mc- Cully will be teaching special education at Golden Valley Unified School District, Webster Elementary in Madera Ranchos, as a kindergarten through third grade special day class teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities.

McCully played a major role in Acorn's move to the White House.

Acorn Cooperative Preschool is currently enrolling students in both its Acorn and Sprouts programs for fall 2010. For the 0 to 5-year-old Acorn program on Tuesdays, students are accompanied by their parents and or caregivers. The Sprouts drop-off program occurs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and now offers both morning and afternoon sessions.

Sprouts is a traditional parent cooperative that serves children ages 2.5-5 in which parents rotate working in the class. The preschool is located at 5034 Darrah Road. Parents are encouraged to come and observe the preschool’s programs.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children or dropping in to observe the program should call 966-1202

voicemail) or 966-7032 (classroom).