The Co-Op Experience

What is a Co-Op?

A cooperative preschool is a group of parents and teachers working together to provide a high quality first school experience for young children. The school, with assistance from GPWPC, is operated and maintained by the parents and teachers. Parents become part of a supportive, unique community that bridges their child’s home learning to school learning in a natural, hands-on way.

Why a Co-Op?

Parents work in the classroom alongside the teachers and see children’s accomplishments firsthand. Parents observe typical preschool behavior and learn as the teachers model positive interactions. The preschoolers benefit from having one adult for every 4 or 5 children in the classroom. Children form new relationships with other adults as well as teachers and children. Families often form friendships that last a lifetime.

Parent Requirements

Parents hold a co-op position ranging from an active role, like serving on the Board, to a less active role, like working a one-time event, securing supplies or prepping projects. Each family works in the classroom about once per month and is required to attend three membership meetings per year.

Fundraising

In order to provide a quality program and keep tuition costs low, fundraising is necessary. Several passive opportunities exist such as registering at Kroger’s, and shopping online at Minted and Oliver’s Labels. Activity based fundraisers such as a Yard Sale, Mom-to-Mom Sale, Kid’s Night Out, and Parents Night Out are examples of previous events.

Parents are given the choice to participate in a minimum number of fundraising events or to choose the buyout option at the beginning of the school year.