{"id":923,"date":"2016-02-12T00:59:02","date_gmt":"2016-02-12T00:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carelulu.com\/resources\/parents\/?p=923"},"modified":"2026-05-19T16:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:32:11","slug":"what-is-a-coop-preschool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.carelulu.com\/resources\/parents\/what-is-a-coop-preschool\/","title":{"rendered":"Paying in Kindness: What Is a Co-op Preschool?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Co-op
What is a co-op preschool?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You may have that a co-op can help you reduce child care costs, but many parents don’t really know how to answer the question, what is a co-op preschool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By now, you\u2019ve probably heard that the cost of child care and preschool is exorbitant. So much so that according to the Economic Policy Institute\u2019s latest report<\/a>, \u201chigh quality care is out of reach for working families\u201d. The cost of daycare and preschool<\/a> for a 4 year-old is around $19,000\/year in DC (the most expensive in the US) and infant care in a center costs about $24,000\/year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, the question is: would you like to pay less for preschool? Read on to learn about co-op daycare and preschool options, and how they can help you reduce child care costs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

If you’re like most parents, you want to reduce the amount you spend on child care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, a co-op preschool might be a good fit for your family! What\u2019s the catch? Well, while it\u2019s true that cooperative preschools are indeed more affordable, you\u2019ll have to pay in kindness (i.e. with your time and energy.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how it works at a cooperative preschool (and a co-op daycare for that matter, if you have an infant or toddler).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It isn\u2019t exactly a catch, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an informed decision to contribute to the care and early education of your child, as well as those of the other parents in the co-op preschool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We call it \u201cpaying in kindness\u201d because kindness is one of the main \u201cassets\u201d that the child care and early childhood education industry revolves around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a co-op preschool? <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Cooperative preschools, a.k.a. co-ops, are designed around parents\u2019 contributing their kindness on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may be responsible for participating in a 4-hour shift one morning per week, for example. Other parents would take the remaining morning and afternoon shifts. Or, you could be teaching an extra-curricular activity, or cooking lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, this concept appeals to parents who wish to stay close to (or just keep an eye on) their children through the preschool years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific organizational formats vary from co-op to co-op. Typically, there will be a decision-making board comprised of parents who hire child care providers and preschool teachers, make budgeting decisions, and generally run the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to expect from a cooperative preschool?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Interested in investigating further? Here are a few things you can expect to encounter as a member of a co-op preschool or co-op daycare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. You\u2019ll save money.<\/strong> <\/h6>\n\n\n\n

A co-op has some of the same costs as any daycare or preschool (rent, utilities, food, etc.), but overall fees will be lower than other preschools. As explained above, you are contributing your own time so staff expenses are typically lower. Some cooperative daycares and preschools will also allow you to pay (with cash) for hours you weren\u2019t able to contribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. You\u2019ll have to pull your weight.<\/strong> <\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Taking on what is essentially a part-time job at the co-op can be tricky. Especially if you have a full-time job elsewhere. You will not be the first working parent with this problem, though, and co-ops may have night or weekend arrangements. Also, some cooperative daycares and preschools have low commitments (like a few hours a month only.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. You\u2019ll know your role. <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Once you take the plunge and agree to pitch in at the co-op, your role is likely to have well-documented know-how attached to it. That\u2019s because turnover is a natural part of any co-op (people\u2019s children grow up, after all) and each round of parents usually adds something to the co-op\u2019s set of \u201ccheat sheets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. You\u2019ll be part of a team<\/strong>. <\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Being involved at a co-op preschool means working with other parents and teachers. Compare with the traditional preschool format where even if you\u2019re welcome to get involved, you aren\u2019t really required to. Co-op parents enjoy the team spirit and tend to have deeper relationships with professional teachers often because they are actually getting \u201cdown and dirty\u201d with them in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a summary, cooperative preschools can be a great option for parents who are able to contribute some of their time. It\u2019ll allow you to participate in your child\u2019s early education, and it\u2019s more affordable than other preschools!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s a final tip about co-op preschools:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Just because you have a responsibility at a co-op preschool doesn\u2019t always mean you always have to take care of it yourself.  Most co-ops are happy to have grandparents, friends, or nannies fill in for you. The one condition is that your designated caregiver has to be filthy rich in kindness!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CareLuLu<\/strong><\/a> is the easiest way to find safe and affordable child care that fits your family\u2019s specific needs. No need to spend hours on Google or calling daycares, you can now find all the information in one place: CareLuLu lists over 200,000 licensed daycare and preschool programs with verified<\/em> parent reviews, photos, daycare cost, etc. Best of all, it\u2019s free!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created by<\/em> parents for<\/em> parents. www.CareLuLu.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You may have that a co-op can help you reduce child care costs, but many parents don’t really know how to answer the question, what is a co-op preschool. By now, you\u2019ve probably heard that the cost of child care and preschool is exorbitant. So much so that according to the Economic Policy Institute\u2019s latest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[53,8,11,12],"tags":[79,365,36,47,35,305],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n