Why Co-Op?
Where families work together to make a difference
Our Co-op Preschool
A parent cooperative preschool is organized by a group of families with similar philosophies who hire a trained teacher to provide their children with a quality preschool experience. The preschool is administered and maintained by the parents on a non-profit, non-sectarian basis.
The parents assist a paid professional teacher in the classroom on a rotating basis, participate in committees that help support the school through various fundraisers, and regular maintenance/up-keep of the school.
The success of our program is dependent upon the wholehearted support and involvement of all members and we are honored to be working alongside parents dedicated to their child’s early education process.
“I don’t know any way parents can learn as much as they can through participating in a parent cooperative nursery school.”
— Dr. Katharine Whiteside Taylor
Our Parents
The purpose of a cooperative early education program is to bring parents and children together in a learning environment that supports children’s growth and to provide a community of support in parenting.
A co-op is a great way to meet parents with similar aged children that have a like-minded commitment to serving in their child’s early education. The co-op environment truly creates a community and family-like atmosphere continuing even after school is out of session and creating friendships that can last a lifetime.
You, the best expert on your child, are in the classroom demonstrating to your child how important their education is to you and most importantly of all, bonding with them.
Our Children
A child’s work is play. At a cooperative preschool, children engage in play and learning experiences with children similar in age. Children are exposed to and learn to interact with adults, other than their parents, and find a sense of independence and security in the outside world.
With an adult to child ratio of 1:4 your child gets lots of individual attention while still engaging a group atmosphere. Learning to respect, accept the rights and differences of others, listening, and positive verbal communication is emphasized. Children have hands-on experiences in creative arts, music, science, literature, and language geared to their needs and developmental level.
Our classrooms are well furnished with a array of materials and toys organized into a variety of stations, promoting independent exploration and discovery throughout the classroom. Materials, toys, and class themes are rotated to ensure new discoveries. Each class session has free-play time, group circle time, snack time and outdoor time.
Many forms of development and teaching occur when our children play.
Circle Time: Math, language, coordination and balance, manners and respect for other children and teachers.
Art Center: Representation, creative expression, problem solving, language, cause/effect, task completion, visualization, fine motor skills, and sensory experiences.
Kitchen Creations: Math and science, sequential numbering and fine motor skills.
Science Center: Math/science, reasoning, social skills, cause/effect, and language.
Dramatic Play: Language, representation, problem solving, socialization, and imagination.
Blocks and Trains: Math/science, reasoning skills, social skills, and literacy.
Sand Box: Math, language, social skills and science.
Puzzles and Manipulatives: Math, self-direction, making choices, testing predictions, and social studies.
