Three days a week, Rhonda and Franz Michael go to the Cupertino Co-op Nursery School, which offers an educational program for 3- to 5-year olds. But it's more than a nursery—the program also values the development of parents.

Partially funded by the Fremont Union High School District and serving Cupertino and other areas, the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 10.

According to Director Michelle Edgecumbe, who also works as one of four teachers at the school, not only does the program offer children a nurturing environment in which they can learn and form friendships with peers, but it also teaches parents valuable skills as they share their child's first learning experience.

"The school is run by parents; they are actively involved in every aspect of the school's operation, such as working with teachers to develop the curriculum and working with the children as teacher's aides," explains Ressel, who is the board president of the school.

"Besides parent participation, we also invite speakers to speak about parenting issues. So the program really benefits the parents as much as their children. They learn different skills and become better parents," says Edgecumbe, whose own children are students and graduates of the school.

The nursery school requires all enrolling families to fulfill a set of minimum responsibilities, such as attending two evening meetings per month and assisting as a teacher's aide once a week.

Each day, eight parents work with one teacher to supervise 24 children. Depending on their personal interests and choices, children participate in a variety of activities, such as visiting rabbits in a barn, drawing and riding bikes in the outdoor play area.

"I really like the environment," Ressel says. "I like the simple approach to children's education. I also like the stability of the school and its wonderful traditions, like the ice cream social and the annual fall festival."

"It's a close-knit community here; all families come together to socialize and to help each other," Edgecumbe says.

The Cupertino Co-op Nursery School is located at 563 W. Fremont Ave. in Sunnyvale. Tuition is $85 per month. The 50th anniversary celebration will take place at 2 p.m. on May 10. For more information about the school or the anniversary event, call Rhonda Ressel at 408.531.9275 or visit www.cupertinocoop.org.