No I don't think they exist. Since co-ops work with help of parents volunteering in the classroom alongside teachers, you are not going to find places where parents want to volunteer for 8-hour shifts.

I haven't heard of any full time co-ops in this area- mostly parents who need full-day care for their kids on a regular basis don't have the schedule flexibility to make the coop model work. It's not that every family has a SAHM/D-- though lots do-- , but you pretty much need at least one parent with light or flexible (nurse, freelance, etc) schedule since parents take turns being with the children in the classroom.

RCNS (where my kids went) has before care starting at 8:30, and "lunch bunch" till 2 on Tuesday and Weds (and M and/or Th when enough parents are interested). But the main co-op program is 9:30-12:30.

It looks like most co-ops are part time. Anyone know of any full time co-ops? Or do they not exist?

Suburban Nursery School is a play-based co-op and we have openings for our 2 yo and 4 yo classes.

My son has been at Suburban for two years now and we have loved it.

Please contact: SNS2yr@yahoo.com (2-year-olds)
or SNS3yr4yr@yahoo.com (4-year-olds) to schedule a tour.

Second on Rockville Community Nursery School! It's tucked away so you won't see it from the street, next to Welsh Park on UUCR's campus. My DD loves her teacher so much, and there are really nice kids in her class, plus I really like the parents. Co-ops rock!!!

There are the Aspen Hill Cooperative Nursery School and Rockville Presbyterian Cooperative Nursery School. I don't know anything about them -- just know them from having driven past them while driving in Rockville. Here are the links:

http://www.aspenhillcoop.org/

http://www.rpcns.org/

Beth El Preschool (BEPS), a Jewish parent cooperative preschool in Bethesda, is now registering for fall 2013. BEPS serves children ages 20 months-5 years. Call now for Open House information or to request an application. Contact Dianne at dbrickman@bethelmc.org or 301.652.8569 x307.

This page: http://www.preschools.coop./v/schools-councils/

You definitely don't have to join unless you want their newsletter, or want to LIST a coop. Seeing the list is free. (It's the "directory" link on the top navigation bar.)

I checked the co-op site mentioned above, but it looks like you have to join ($40) to see the list of area co-ops. I am looking for ones in DC, preferably NW. Does anyone know of some or of another resource that doesn't cost $40? Thanks!

There is a directory of cooperative preschools (and more info on what "parent cooperative" or "parent participation preschool" means for anyone who doesn't know about this school philosophy) at Parent Cooperative Preschools International http://www.preschools.coop. They have all their member preschools listed by state. As far as I can tell they have all the area coops listed. There are many really good ones around here! We love RCNS and we've heard good things about other coops in this area too.

Rockville Community Nursery School

http://rcnscoop.org/wp/

Beth El Preschool on Old Georgetown road is a wonderful co-op playbased program.

Silver Spring Day School is a co-op. There's also co-op nursery schools in Kensington and College Park.

We are looking for a co-op in the Rockville or surrounding area. Ideally we'd like a play based coop and I'm willing to do a lot or a little work, whatever is needed. I've tried to find a central resource for a list of area co-ops but had no luck. Any recommendations on area coops? Thanks!