At the Cooperative Playschool, your preschooler enters the world of education through self-directed play and exploration.
The “Co-op” offers:
- A state licensed, non-profit preschool serving children ages 3 to 5. Founded in 1949.
- Two certified, experienced preschool teachers assisted by two or three parents each morning. Adult to child ratio is 1 to 5 or better.
- Spacious, airy, bright facility; large up-to-date inventory of toys, games, activities, and books; big outdoor playground.
- Self-directed activities including plays and stories, writer’s workshop, theme-centered activities, educational games, science, arts and crafts, dress-up and pretend, music, and outdoor play.
- 2, 3, and 5-day programs are available for preschoolers. Hours are 9:00-11:30 AM, Monday through Friday, September through May.
Openings Available NOW! Call 238-3922
The Cooperative Playschool’s Philosophy
The Cooperative Playschool, a state-licensed preschool founded in 1949, exists for the purpose of enriching the lives of participating children and their parents in an atmosphere of relative freedom. Emphasis is placed on social interaction and the individual growth of each child within a play-based curriculum. The children receive help in developing a feeling of belonging to a group, which is interested in them and makes them feel secure.
In addition to the professionally educated teachers, the program is enhanced by the involvement of the parents through observation, participation and discussion. The preschool provides a unique opportunity for parents to grow and learn as they see their children from a different perspective.
Click HERE for more information about the Power of Play
A Bit of History
The original idea for the Cooperative Playschool, organized in February 1949, came from Helen Fritz, a member of the Friends Meeting. She recruited 24 others, and together they organized the Friendly Cooperative Playschool. Though many were members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) - a group founded in the 17th century with roots in the Christian tradition - the founders decided that the Friends Meeting would not sponsor or in any way govern the policies of the school.
Today, the remnants of this early affiliation with the Friends Meeting exist mainly in the sharing of some space and school equipment. Hallway benches, the piano, and wall cupboards belong to the Meeting, while most of the play equipment belongs to the Playschool. The sharing of space and equipment between the Playschool and the First Day School of the Meeting demands a spirit of mutual tolerance, understanding and cooperation.
Current Enrollment and Structure
Cooperative Playschool meets Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., beginning the Thursday after Labor Day and ending the Friday before Memorial Day.
Our typical enrollment is 25 children per morning, with approximately 10 children in the 3 to 4 year old class, and 15 children in the 4 to 5 year old class.Most of the morning, the two age groups are together, moving throughout the three rooms of the school. Mid-morning, the children gather for circle time and share songs and discussion. The two age groups then separate for a snack and a more age specific activity or story. Finally, all the children enjoy outdoor playground time together.
Two or three parents assist our two certified and experienced preschool teachers each morning. One parent brings a healthful snack for the children and is provided by the teachers with an activity to share with the children. The other parent(s) provide their own activities for the children (the teachers are always happy to help with activity ideas and guidance). With our adult to child ratio of 1 to 5 or better, children are able to select from a wide variety of adult-mediated and independent activities, and individual attention to the children is readily available.
