James Marshall Parent Nursery

🌱 Why We Chose a Co-Op Preschool — and Why It’s Worth It James Marshall Parent Nursery School has truly been a treasure for our family. When we moved to Elk Grove, my son transitioned from another co-op preschool, and I intentionally searched for a parent cooperative rather than enrolling him in a traditional Pre-K. While free options were available, the co-op experience has been so worth the extra effort and short commute. Here are some of the things that make a co-op preschool like JMPNS so special: 🌟 True partnership between parents and teachers Parents don’t just drop off — we participate. Working alongside the teacher gives a deeper understanding of child development and classroom dynamics, and creates a consistent, supportive environment for the children. 🌟 A strong sense of community (“the village”) Children feel safe and secure because they see familiar, caring adults every day. Parents form genuine connections, offering support, friendship, and shared responsibility in raising our children. 🌟 Lower ratios and more attentive care With parents actively helping in the classroom, children receive more individual attention, encouragement, and guidance. 🌟 Children feel proud and confident Kids love seeing their parents involved. It builds confidence, emotional security, and a strong sense of belonging. 🌟 Learning through real connection Co-op classrooms foster cooperation, empathy, patience, and communication — not just academics, but life skills that matter. 🌟 Parents grow too Being present in the classroom has helped me better understand my child, support him emotionally, and feel more confident as a parent. 🌱 Gentle invitation: If you’re a parent looking for more than just a place to drop off your child — if you’re seeking community, connection, and a hands-on role in your child’s early years — I highly encourage you to visit, observe, or learn more about James Marshall Parent Nursery School. Seeing the warmth of the classroom and the involvement of the families truly speaks for itself.

An amazing school that is truly a hidden gem in West Sacramento. I enrolled my daughter last year and she loves it. JMPNS gives me the option to be involved as a parent and has transparency in everything that involves my child. It's way more affordable than most other preschools and the director is one of the best educators I have met.

We had an amazing experience at James Marshall! It was the best environment for my son to socialize, play and learn. Mrs. Hinton is an incredible teacher not only for the children, but for the us as the parent. Her style of teaching helped us learn how to parent our child by giving him the tools he needed to support himself. Self regulate, problem solve and how to learn the difference between “sharing” and letting a friend have a turn. I tell Erin Hinton she needs to write a book, we all as parents would appreciate and live by her philosophies! If you have the opportunity to go to JMPNS, take it. You will never regret that choice!

A wonderfully unique experience for both the child and the parents. Perfect stepping stone for soon-to-be kindergartners. The everyday workings have a great community feel to them, and the Director has the administration down to a science, really. They manage to run a very efficient and effective 3 hour program using largely clueless rotating parents. The once-a-month parent education meetings are extremely well thought out and useful (and open to public!). The field trips are also very thoughtfully planned and not extravagant on the pocket. The only downside is that it will probably not work for families where both parents are working full-time. The curriculum is play-based- which is phenomenally effective learning way for this age group (3-5 year olds). My 4 year old started reading words in 2 months of joining this school. Happy parent!

James Marshall has been the most amazing experience for both my children and for me. There is no other preschool in the area that offers me the ability to work in the classroom while also giving me and my family monthly parenting classes. I have gained a priceless understanding of how children work and my children have benefitted from a loving, creative, learning environment full of other parents who are putting our newfound knowledge to work in the classroom. And if you are unsure of anything Mrs. Hinton is an inexhaustible resource with a well of patience that is unfathomable. We couldn’t be luckier to have her. Best experience ever!