Cooperative Preschools Near Me

A co-op preschool can follow any one of the many preschool philosophies such as Montessori, play-based, Reggio Emilia, or Waldorf. The main difference between a cooperative preschool and a regular one is that the board of directors is run by the preschoolers' parents, who oversee hiring teachers, setting the preschool curriculum, buying supplies, and so forth. Parents in a co-op daycare or preschool are expected to help in the classroom, anywhere from once a month to once a week or more. They might also be asked to serve on a committee and help with fundraisers. Because of the high level of parental involvement, the cost of co-op preschools or daycares is typically lower, without sacrificing the quality of care and early learning. While it is possible for parents to be involved when their child starts daycare for any kind of program, the cooperative approach allows an unmatched level of involvement in their children's early childhood education. However, these types of child care and preschool programs can be very time-consuming for working parents. Therefore, since cooperative daycares and preschools follow whatever teaching philosophy is agreed upon by the board, the most important question for prospective parents will be whether they are able to meet the level of commitment that is required. It might be a perfect fit, but if both parents work full-time, it may be difficult to meet the demands of a co-op child care program. If at least one parent can commit to being involved, a cooperative daycare can be a great option, especially for families with young children. The strong parental presence will provide a more nurturing environment than in many non-cooperative child care programs. This is a perfect option for parents who want a more direct impact on their child's early education since everything from enrollment numbers, to classroom layout, and curriculum will be defined by the board of (parent) directors. Children will have more consistency in a co-op preschool and the sense of community is often very strong. On the other hand, children who are prone to separation anxiety might have a better learning experience when their parents are not in the classroom. It also could be difficult for some children to see their parents giving a lot of attention to other kids. Finally, it's worth considering that parents will naturally have some disagreements when it comes to the best way to educate young children, and differing opinions will clash more often in a cooperative setting. Nevertheless, for those with the ability and willingness to take on the responsibility, participating in a co-op preschool or child care center can be a rewarding experience for both parent and child.