Cooperative Preschools

A Parent-Participation Learning Experience

By Sharon Waldrop

A preschool environment promotes development and discovery while providing plenty of playtime for busy little people. Slides, swings, blocks, puzzles, crayons, paint and an abundance of friends blend together to form scrapbook memories and an activity-based curriculum.

Parents who want to witness these memories with their own eyes may want to consider a cooperative preschool. These schools, otherwise known as "co-op" preschools, require parent participation during class time. An added plus for families on a tight budget is the reduced tuition a co-op offers compared to traditional preschools.

Most co-op preschools offer a two or three day per week school schedule, with class time being two-and-a-half to three hours. Parental volunteer duties during class time appear to be somewhat consistent with many schools across the country.

"My daughter is in a two-day, Tuesday and Thursday, class from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.," says Sharon from Colorado Springs, Colo. Parents are scheduled to be the "parent helper" on a rotating basis. "We provide a healthy snack with a 100 percent fruit juice for the beverage. After snack, while the children are having outdoor play, the parent helper does a light clean up of the snack tables and vacuum."

Tammy enrolled her daughter in a preschool in Virginia that offers a three-day program for 4-year-old students and a two-day program for younger students. Both age groups attend school for three hours per school day. Tammy works in her daughter's classroom with eleven children once every six weeks. "The parent basically does clean up of supplies, mans a station with an art project and delivers children from the carpool line to the classroom," Tammy says.

Jennifer from Lexington, Ky. worked one morning per month in her daughter's co-op. Barb from Illinois worked two to three days every two months. Both moms played the role of teacher's aid while on duty. "I feel that schools who do not allow parental involvement at least to some degree are either too controlling or have something to hide," says Jennifer.

"The parents run the co-op," says Barb. The Board of Directors is made up of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Chairman, elected by the participants. "The board makes all decisions for the running of the co-op with the input of the teacher and members when appropriate." These decisions include the employment status of the teacher (who always has a minimum of a four-year degree in early childhood education), the teacher's salary, membership dues, rules for members and fundraising.

Want to see more?

• Join the discussions at the Preschool Readiness Discussion Board
• Preschool Prep Series: How to Hit the Ground Running
• Preschool Prep Series: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
• Preschool Prep Series: The Montessori Method
• Preschool Prep Series: The Waldorf Method
• Join the discussions at the Preparing For Preschool Discussion Board