|
How Do Parents Participate In A Cooperative Pre-School?
At Community Cooperative Preschool, parents have the opportunity to participate in many different ways. The most appealing to many is Parent Assisting in the classroom. On a rotating basis (about once a month, depending on the class size), parents assist the teachers for an entire class allowing parents the unique opportunity to observe and play with their child in the preschool environment. Many parents find this facet of the cooperative school the most enjoyable and the most rewarding. In addition to this valuable insight, parents are able to see first-hand how the teachers handle various situations - a great learning experience for any parent.
Since parents and teachers cooperatively run the school, parent volunteers are essential and encouraged. Hours vary depending on available time and interest. A typical parent's role at CCP would include either serving on the executive board or one of the various committees that keep our school, a nonprofit corporation, running successfully. Because parents run the corporation, costs are kept to a minimum and the quality is high. Since every parent has a child in the program, each parent is personally invested in making the school the very best setting for their children.
Are There Any Further Benefits To Sending My Child To A Cooperative Preschool?
Children find security in a world where parents and teachers freely work together to create a rich learning environment. Hands-on experiences in music, arts and crafts, science, literature, language, and indoor and outdoor free play encourage skills necessary in later school experiences as well as in life. Interacting with a variety of children and adults fosters social skills beyond the traditional preschool.
In a recent annual survey, parents at Community Cooperative Preschool responded that they loved parent assisting because they learned so much about their own child, other children in the age group, and about responding to a range of childhood behaviors. Parents also said they met and formed close friendships with other families. Many friendships continue well beyond the preschool years. Meeting other parents who share the value of being directly involved in their children’s education is a wonderful characteristic of this cooperative environment.
A Curriculum Advantage
One of the greatest advantages to attending a cooperative preschool is that each family brings something new and special to the school every year. These experiences and skills enrich the learning environment and help the teachers keep their units and activities fresh and fun. The teachers also benefit from the close relationship they form with each family. Their understanding of each child is greatly enhanced because of this relationship, helping them to be more effective teachers.
A Gentle Transition
For most children, preschool is their first experience away from home on a regular basis. Viewed as a transition from
home to school, a cooperative preschool merges the two seamlessly. Research in the social sciences has demonstrated
that parents who volunteer in their children's classrooms and school programs positively affect a student's academic
achievement. The cooperative experience is rewarding for all involved.
Our Classroom (both inside and outside)
The classroom at Community Cooperative Preschool is a warm and happy place. With its comfortable size and wooded
outdoor playground, the children have plenty of room and opportunities to explore. Children are encouraged to choose
activities that offer individual discovery through concrete and cognitive experience, creative play, and social interaction.
We believe that if children are encouraged to work in their own ways, they will grow in independence and, therefore,
develop a positive self-image. Our guiding principle is that children who feel good about themselves will be most open to
further knowledge, comfortable in expressing their feelings to others, and ready to develop increased social, physical, and
intellectual competence.
CCP provides a theme-based developmental curriculum that is strong in science and nature exploration, while also
imparting important skills for kindergarten readiness in the Pre-K program. These Pre-K skills are fostered through
journals, job boards during circle time, and much more.
Enrichment opportunities abound with guests, such as Eyes on Owls; field trips to local establishments relating to the
curriculum such as the post office, nature trails and airport; and school events, such as a Father's Night Ice Cream Social
and a Relative's Tea.
Cleaning
Yes, as with most co-ops, we ask that a parent help with some light cleaning (ie: vacuuming and wiping tables down) after they parent assist, but only light work. Bathrooms are up to the parent – the teachers are happy to step in and clean them.
|
|
