Fledglings Montessori School At a Glance
- Co-op Type: Worker Co-op
- Industry: Education / Childcare
- Location: York, Maine
- Founded: 2025
- Members-Owners: 6 (majority women)
- Loan Amount: $47,294 revolving loan
- Use of Loan: Montessori materials, furnishings, renovations, startup costs, and working capital
- Partners: Coast Enterprises Inc. (CEI) Childcare Business Lab, Cooperative Development Institute (CDI)
- Projected Year 1 Revenue: $466,000
A New Beginning
When six educators from southern Maine decided to create a better future for children—and for themselves—they didn’t just dream of a school. They imagined a cooperative where care, respect, and collaboration would extend to everyone: the teachers, the parents, and the children.
The founding members of Fledglings Montessori School (FMS) first met while working together at a nonprofit Montessori childcare center. They loved the Montessori philosophy—its emphasis on curiosity, independence, and respect for nature—but found that the organization’s internal culture didn’t reflect those same values. Decisions were made by a distant nonprofit board, and staff often felt unheard.
So the six educators began talking. Half-joking at first, they imagined what it would be like to build a school that truly practiced what it preached—where everyone had a voice. That vision eventually took flight as Fledglings Montessori School, a worker-owned cooperative rooted in Montessori principles and mutual respect.
Building a Montessori Haven in York, Maine
Fledglings is based in York, Maine, serving families throughout southern Maine. When the group found out that a nearby childcare center owner was preparing for retirement, they saw their chance. The building already met state childcare standards, but the team needed to transform it into a true Montessori environment—warm, natural, and child-led.
They worked with CEI’s Childcare Business Lab and CDI, who guided them through licensing, cooperative formation, and business planning. Together, they built a plan to open their doors in September 2025.
To fund their vision, the worker-owners raised $33,000 from themselves, parents, and community supporters. With a $47,294 loan from CFNE, they were able to complete the transformation—purchasing Montessori-specific equipment and materials, repainting and refurnishing the space, and even building their own natural stick fence for the outdoor play area.
The Power of Cooperative Action
Despite the rush to meet state licensing deadlines and prepare for a September opening, the team’s determination never wavered. With guidance from CEI and CDI, and flexible financing from CFNE, they moved quickly from idea to operation—launching a new Montessori school that embodies both educational excellence and workplace democracy.
The CFNE loan supported startup costs that covered:
- $25,000 for Montessori materials and furnishings
- $5,000 in renovations
- $19,000 for startup and opening costs
- $31,000 for working capital
Results and What’s Next
As of their first fall, Fledglings Montessori was nearly at full enrollment, welcoming 12 children from York and Kittery and securing partnerships with local municipalities to serve low-income families.
While they’re still growing toward their goal of making at least 20% of their spots available to low-income families, the worker-owners are already looking ahead. They’ve expressed interest in expanding into another nearby site as the building’s owner retires fully—and eventually, they hope to purchase a van for field trips and community adventures.
Fledglings Staff, Fall 2025
Fledglings Montessori School isn’t just teaching the next generation—it’s showing what’s possible when people come together to build something new, something fair, and something deeply rooted in care.
What began as frustration in a traditional workplace has blossomed into something beautiful: a worker-owned Montessori school where children thrive, educators have a voice, and cooperation is a daily practice.
Learn more about Fledglings: https://www.fledglingsmontessori.com/
——————————————————————————————
Would you like to help fuel more cooperative development like this?
- Make a donation toward supporting our technical assistance and co-op education programs.
- Consider becoming an investor. Learn about investing with us here.
- Share this story with your people.