About Us
Founded in 1969 by a dedicated group of local parents, West Chester Cooperative Nursery School (WCCNS) remains rooted in its cooperative spirit. Our parent-run tradition fosters a strong sense of community while benefiting from the expertise of two exceptional, experienced preschool teachers. These educators thoughtfully design and implement engaging lesson plans, ensuring a rich learning environment for every child.
At WCCNS, parents play a vital role in every aspect of school operations, contributing through classroom participation, school maintenance, fundraising, event planning, policy-making, and more. This active involvement not only keeps tuition affordable but also upholds the high standards that make our preschool a special place for young learners to thrive.
Our Amazing Teachers
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Mrs. Lisa Cortez
(Pre-K)
Hello future WCCNS families! I’m Lisa Cortez, excited to begin my ninth year at the co-op. My family - my husband, Ben, and our three kids - have called Ohio home since 2014, and our youngest, Oliver, is a proud WCCNS alumnus.
I’ve always been passionate about early education, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning. In our classroom, children feel safe, supported, and engaged in hands-on activities that nurture social-emotional growth, early literacy, math, science, and the arts.
One of the joys of cooperative preschool life is building connections with families, and I can’t wait to make wonderful memories with you all!
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Mrs. Erin Schmerr
(Twos & Threes)
Hello! I’m Erin Schmerr, the teacher for the twos and threes class and the school administrator. As a Cincinnati native, discovering WCCNS for my daughter felt like coming home. After two wonderful years here, our family fell in love with the school.
My passion for working with children began in 1998 during a life-changing trip to an orphanage in Mexico, shaping my commitment to service. I earned my degree in Social Work from Xavier University and have spent nearly 20 years in education, social work, and childcare.
I live with my husband, Daniel, our daughter, Adela, four cats, and a dog. In my free time, I run a photography business and love to travel. I’m thrilled to be part of WCCNS and look forward to meeting all our new families!
The WCCNS Board (2025-26)
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President
Rachel Gumpert
My name is Rachel Gumpert and I have been a part of WCCNS for the past two years as my daughter, Josephine, has gone through the Pre-K class with Mrs. Lisa. We are excited to return for the 2025-2026 school year as my daughter, Ada, starts Pre-K in the fall. I also have a one year old son, Zeke. My husband, Andrew, and I are originally from Iowa and have been married for 8 years.
Since joining WCCNS in 2023, we have made lifelong friendships with the families and teachers of the school. We have had a great experience at WCCNS and are passionate about helping create a safe, supportive environment for our students and families. The co-op structure of our school is a unique opportunity for us to create a positive learning environment while working alongside our amazing teachers in the classroom. By fostering a community that cares and listens to our families and meets the needs of our children, WCCNS has had a huge impact on the local community and will continue to do so in the future. Our family is grateful we have found such a wonderful school for our children to attend!
Prior to moving to Ohio, my family lived in Mobile, Alabama, where I worked in procurement and logistics at Airbus, managing our onsite support teams. I graduated with a BS in Supply Chain Management and Minor in Spanish from Iowa State University in 2016. Now, a stay at home mom of three, my days are filled with tiny giggles, endless house projects, and playground trips.
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Vice President
Nicole Hagedorn
Hi, my name is Nicole Hagedorn and I am the Vice President for the 2025-2026 School Year. We started at WCCNS two years with my son, Hudson, in the 2s class. He is in the Pre-K class this year and his sister, Penelope, is moving up to the 3s class this year as well.
I am from the Cincinnati area along with my husband, Danny. We moved to Liberty Twp in 2021. Currently, I work full time remotely at a marketing agency, Assembly Global, as a Sr. Director of Paid Search while my husband is a stay at home parent. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats as well - which adds another layer to the adventure.
We love being a part of the WCCNS community and hope that you will too!
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Treasurer
Alexis Lenavitt
Hello! My name is Lexie and this is my third year with WCCNS. My daughter had a wonderful Pre-K experience with Mrs. Lisa before moving on to Kindergarten, and my son will be moving up to her class this year after being with the school since he was two years old.
My husband, Phil, and I both spent our early adult years in the US Army and have really enjoyed putting down roots here in West Chester. We chose WCCNS to be a part of a caring and involved community of parents and teachers – and I was looking for a way to stay connected to other adults as I transitioned to stay-at-home mom life. We haven’t been disappointed on either count! My kids have thrived at WCCNS and I’m grateful for the wonderful friends I’ve made.
When I’m not volunteering in the classroom or making an endless stream of snacks, I’m reading, crocheting, knitting, drinking coffee, or starting a home project that will take me three times as long as it should.
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Secretary
Nicolas & Jessica McClain
Hello! We are Nicolas and Jessica McClain. Kyrian, our youngest son, is returning next year for the 3’s class. Damian, our oldest, has been through two years of Pre-K class and will be moving on to Kindergarten. This will be our third year at WCCNS, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time with this school.
We both grew up in West Chester and graduated from Lakota East High School. We got married about eight and a half years ago and moved out to Springdale, where we have lived for seven and a half years.
Nicolas currently works for Jabil, leading the weekend day shift debug team and rework teams. He has an associate degree in IT. Jessica currently works for Skyline as a manager, runs her own craft business, and is a freelance writer in her spare time. She has a master's in Creative and Professional Writing from the University of Dayton. In our free time, we enjoy taking our sons on adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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At WCCNS, we follow the cooperative nursery school model - meaning the school is owned, operated, and supported by the families enrolled. Each parent plays an active role as a working member, contributing to classroom activities, fundraising, maintenance, decision-making, and more. This shared commitment helps us maintain high standards while keeping tuition affordable. As co-owners, parents have both the responsibility and the rewarding influence that comes with shaping their child’s early learning environment.
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West Chester Cooperative Nursery School (WCCNS) rents its schoolhouse facilities from Crestview Presbyterian Church but operates independently without religious affiliation.
Both WCCNS and Crestview Presbyterian Church share a commitment to providing enriching experiences for children. Preschool classes and Crestview Sunday School programs use shared equipment and furnishings, and through collaboration, we’ve been able to provide resources that neither the preschool nor the church could have acquired alone.
As part of this special partnership, families who are members of Crestview Presbyterian Church receive priority enrollment at WCCNS. Likewise, WCCNS families receive priority registration for Crestview events such as Vacation Bible School (VBS), offering additional opportunities for enrichment and engagement.
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Yes, WCCNS is fully licensed by the state of Ohio in accordance with Day Care Licensing Code Sec. 201988. We comply with all state health requirements for teachers, parents, and children. WCCNS welcomes families of all backgrounds and operates on a non-discriminatory basis, regardless of race, religion, sex, or national origin.
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Your child must turn the respective class age (2 for Twos, 3 for Threes, and 4 for Pre-K) by September 30th of the registration year to be eligible, reach out to us for more information!
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West Chester Cooperative Nursery School (WCCNS) provides a vibrant learning environment with a variety of spaces designed to support children’s growth, exploration, and play.
Classrooms: Our preschool features two dedicated classrooms, each thoughtfully designed to encourage hands-on learning, creativity, and social interaction.
Gymnasium Access: Children also have access to a full gymnasium, giving them plenty of opportunities for movement-based activities, indoor play, and structured physical development.
Outdoor Play Areas: WCCNS is home to an expansive playground and open field, providing children with fresh-air experiences, outdoor learning opportunities, and space to run, explore, and engage in active play.
These facilities ensure a well-rounded experience, combining structured learning with opportunities for movement, exploration, and fun.
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As a cooperative preschool, WCCNS operates with the support of its families - our teachers are the only paid staff, while parents handle all other aspects of running the school. At the beginning of the year, each family is assigned a role, ensuring that all necessary tasks are completed to keep WCCNS functioning smoothly. Each enrolled student requires a parent-held job, and for families with multiple children, assignments are typically staggered to prevent overlapping busy periods.
In addition to these responsibilities, parents also participate in the classroom. The number of days you’ll work depends on several factors, including the toddler class level, the number of parents required, and how many children you have enrolled. On average, expect to spend 2-3 days per month per child in the classroom, though this may vary depending on the needs of the school.
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Parents contribute to various aspects of school operations, including classroom assistance, event planning, fundraising, school maintenance, policy-making, and administrative tasks. Each family is assigned a role that helps WCCNS run smoothly.
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At the start of the school year, families choose or are assigned a job based on their availability, interests, and strengths. Efforts are made to match roles to parents’ skills and schedules while ensuring all essential tasks are covered.
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No formal teaching experience is required - just a willingness to engage with children and support the teachers’ lesson plans. The only hard requirement is a background check. Teachers guide parents on their roles in the classroom, making it a rewarding and collaborative experience.
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You'll assist teachers with daily activities, help supervise children, support play and learning experiences, and contribute to a warm, engaging environment.
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Life happens! Parents typically coordinate with each other to swap classroom shifts when needed, ensuring coverage while maintaining flexibility
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Fundraising efforts help enhance school resources while keeping costs manageable. Parents are encouraged to participate, whether through event planning, outreach, or direct contributions.