| A cooperative preschool has a reputation for being | | | | cleaning and gardening crews. The board makes all |
| "touchy feely" and a throwback from the old hippie | | | | decisions regarding running the co-op, requesting input |
| days of the 1960s. I, for one, love and welcome the | | | | from teachers and members, when appropriate. |
| idea of a cooperative preschool. These are also | | | | Some co-ops require families to serve on committees. |
| known as a "co-op" preschool. The main premise of a | | | | These range from classroom and grounds |
| preschool environment is to promote discovery and | | | | maintenance to the all important fundraising. Each |
| development while providing lots of playtime for busy | | | | family must fulfill this requirement in order to have the |
| two to four year olds. A co-op preschool envelops this | | | | reduced tuition. If it is not fulfilled, the family will be billed |
| premise but requires parent participation during class | | | | appropriately. |
| time. A reduced tuition is an added plus for today's | | | | Parents consider the co-op preschool to be a positive |
| parents trying to juggle the high cost of living and the | | | | learning experience. The children are encouraged to be |
| added expense of preschool tuition. For most families, | | | | independent as much as possible. This results in much |
| preschool is a "nice to have" but not a necessary | | | | less whining about "I can't" at home. Some of the older |
| expense. With that said, most children benefit greatly | | | | children even pour their own juice from a pitcher at |
| from the socialization and education taught at this level. | | | | snack time. Most parents enjoy getting to know the |
| Enrolling your child in a co-op enables the family to | | | | other children and to see how their own child |
| benefit financially and educationally. | | | | interacted with children. This allows the parent to see |
| Most co-op preschools offer a two to five day a | | | | how her own child interacted socially and academically. |
| week school schedule. Class times are generally for | | | | The majority of the co-op preschools day is |
| three hours to six hours. Nap times are scheduled for | | | | comprised of playtime. But playtime is the time to learn |
| the six hour extended days. Parental participation | | | | at preschool. At this age, kids learn by touching, doing |
| duties appear to be consistent with many co-ops | | | | and interacting with other children and their |
| across the country. They help the teachers by | | | | environment. Most preschools have different themes in |
| preparing the snack and beverage. The parent helps | | | | the classroom. One might be a kitchen area, as well as |
| to clean up the children, usually including diaper duty for | | | | an art area, book, gym and music area. Another widely |
| the younger children. Parents that participate also | | | | used technique for preschool was to offer a few |
| supervise the children as they play, both indoors and | | | | different theme stations as well as free play. Children |
| outdoors. If an art project is scheduled, the parent will | | | | are not required to participate in the structured activity, |
| help to supervise to try to keep the chaos and mess | | | | especially if the child is playing happily and sharing |
| at a minimum. That is, if this is even possible with a | | | | during open choice. |
| room full of youngsters! | | | | Overall, a co-op preschool is a positive experience |
| Other parental duties would be that the parents run the | | | | where learning takes place. Parents and teachers |
| co-op. Parents make up the board of directors, which | | | | work as a unit and children are free to choose |
| is the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer | | | | activities. The children are encouraged to have fun, |
| and Fund Raiser. They are involved in all hiring | | | | which in turn, make it an educational experience for |
| decisions, whether it be for the teachers or the | | | | them to build on throughout their school years. |