For young children, play is the key to all learning. Through play children explore their environment, learn problem-solving skills, experience the first steps in social-emotional development. They begin to learn about social interactions, compromise, and how to work together.
Cedar Lane Nursery School is a cooperative preschool where parents and kids play and learn together. Children are naturally motivated to play. Cedar Lane uses this motivation to facilitate learning and to enhance developmental learning outcomes. Our goal is to set up children for success in the 21st Century by teaching them the skills they need.
Now Enrolling for the 2026-27 academic year!
Interest in our program is strong, and classes are filling fast. While our 4/5s class currently has a waitlist, we still have openings available in our 3s, 2/3s, and 2s classes.
We encourage families to explore our website to learn more about our unique cooperative preschool experience. If you have questions, would like to schedule a tour, or wish to join the waitlist, please reach out to our admissions team at admissions@clns.org. We’d love to hear from you!
Welcome to the 2025- 2026 School Year at Cedar Lane Nursery School!
We’re thrilled to have children and families back for another exciting year filled with hands-on, play-based learning and meaningful parent-co-op participation. From enriching classroom experiences to optional programs like Lunch Bunch and Extended Day, these optional programs offer more play, socializing, and learning—as always, led by our caring teachers. Want to learn more or tour our school? Check out our Admissions page to apply!
How to Find Us
Cedar Lane Cooperative Nursery School is housed in the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, on the Bethesda/Kensington border in suburban Maryland. The building is located in a lovely wooded setting adjoining Rock Creek Park, at the intersection of Beach Drive and Cedar Lane. (We are not affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church).
Cedar Lane Nursery School
9601 Cedar Lane
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-9601
301-564-1680
The nearest Metro Station is Medical Center on the Red Line, which is approximately 1 mile from the school. From the Medical Center Metro Station, you may catch a bus (the Ride-On bus 34), which stops across from the school at Beach Drive and Cedar Lane.
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The Cedar Lane Nursery School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship program, and other school-administered programs.
CLNS is certified by MSDE, NAEYC and Maryland Excels
You are cordially invited to the CLNS Valentine’s Day Dance!
Dress in your festive pinks and reds and join us for a sweet night of dancing, dinner, silent auction and more. All proceeds will go towards the CLNS Scholarship Fund.
When: Thursday February 5th, 2026
Time: 5:00pm to 7:30pm
Where: Cedar Lane UU Church, Fellowship Hall
Cost: $35 per couple ticket (parent-child), $10 individual tickets for each additional age 2 and over. Kids under 2 are free!