Growing together
since 1960.
Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool (CHCP) is Chapel Hill’s longest-running independent nonprofit preschool and one of only a handful of 5-star-rated, NAEYC-accredited preschools in town.
For more than six decades, children from infancy through age five have learned through play, built meaningful relationships, and grown in confidence and independence within our close-knit cooperative community.
Current Openings
Limited spaces are available for the 2026–27 school year.
Toddler Classroom
- M-F 3/4 Day Space – Birthdate between September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
- M-F Full Day Space – Birthdate between September 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
Two-Year-Old Classroom
- M-F 3/4 Day Space – Birthdate between September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024
Why CHCP?
At CHCP, children learn through active exploration, imagination, movement, creativity, conversation, and discovery. Strong relationships are at the heart of the experience, giving children a secure foundation to build meaningful connections with teachers and friends.
Families are part of the life of the school, creating a close-knit cooperative community centered around children.
Our Programs
Thoughtful care and learning for every stage of early childhood.
Infants & Toddlers
Warm, responsive care centered around each child’s individual rhythms, relationships, and development.
Two’s
A joyful environment for growing language, friendships, movement, imagination, and independence.
Preschool
Our mixed-age Big World gives children room to explore, connect, and grow with confidence.
A CHCP Childhood
A day at CHCP is filled with the experiences through which young children learn best: building and creating, exploring outdoors, sharing stories and meals, developing friendships, asking questions, solving problems, and discovering the satisfaction of doing something independently for the first time.
“My daughter graduated from CHCP two years ago, and she still talks about some of the activities – from gardening to indoor Olympics – she did at the preschool. Some of her dearest friends in elementary school are also the same friends she made at CHCP. The preschool’s focus on outdoor play and building healthy minds, bodies, and relationships with friends have provided her a strong foundation as she goes out into the world. We feel like she’s set up to be a joyful learner and kind friend. We also love that we’re still part of the CHCP community – it’s a genuine delight whenever we see other alumni families and CHCP teachers around town and at activities. We’re so thankful for the wonderful teachers, community, and experience we had at CHCP.”
Betsy Lee, CHCP Parent 2015-2019
Help CHCP Grow
As a nonprofit cooperative preschool, tuition provides the foundation for our educational program and daily operations, while philanthropy helps us invest more deeply in exceptional teachers, access and opportunity, enriching experiences, our campus, and the long-term future of the school.
Apply Now
Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. Apply early.
Support CHCP
Help us invest in the people, programs, and spaces that make CHCP special.