Frequently Asked Questions
The following responses are general answers to common questions. Parents are invited and encouraged to speak directly with the teachers and to visit the school.
What is the class schedule?
What is the class schedule?
Tues/Thurs 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for 2-3 year old children
Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for 3-4 year old children
Mon - Fri 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. for 4-5 year old children, Pre-K children
What is the price of your classes?
Monthly Payment:
Tues/Thurs = $110
Mon/Wed/Fri = $155
Mon - Fri = $190
How many children are in each class?
There is a target of 10 children in the Tues/Thurs class.
There is a target of 15 children in the Mon/Wed/Fri class.
There is a target of 15 children in the Mon - Fri class.
How old does my child need to be to attend classes?
Tues/Thurs: Children are 2-3 years old and do not need to be potty trained. Children younger than 2 years old may be enrolled with teacher consent, but priority enrollment is given to children who meet the age requirement.
Mon/Wed/Fri: Children are at least 3 years old by September 1 and must be potty trained.
Mon - Fri: Children are at least 4 years old by September 1 and are eligible for Kindergarten the next year.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Our Tues/Thurs 2-3 year old class is specifically geared to children who may not be potty trained. Our other classes do require children to be potty trained, but we realize that every child may have accidents. The teachers are always available for help in the bathroom, if it is needed. If there becomes an issue with everyday accidents, then parents and teachers will meet to discuss the issue. Only teachers are permitted to help and change children, not helping parents.
What is the general framework of The Cooperative Preschool?
Our school strives to provide a balance of activities, which allow children to develop both a freedom of expression and ability to participate in structured activity.
What is your curriculum in the Tues/Thurs 2-3 year old class?
The 2-3 year old program is centered on socialization with an introduction to classroom routines including circle time, clean up, and sharing a snack. We incorporate weather, colors, shapes, music, movement, and project completion into our weekly curriculum.
What is your curriculum in the Mon/Wed/Fri 3-4 year old class?
The 3-4 year old program is centered on socialization. We incorporate colors, shapes, and letters into our centers, activities, and games.
What is your curriculum in the Mon - Fri 4-5 year old class?
The 4-5 year old program is geared to ready children for Kindergarten, working at each child's pace. We provide an environment rich with opportunity to learn social skills, numbers, letters and a love for reading. Miss Bonnie is available to meet with interested parents to further explain the details of our curriculum.
What is the schedule of a typical day in the Tues/Thurs 2-3 year old class?
Our first 45-60 minutes is focused on social development. We then clean up and have circle time, where we talk about the calendar and weather. This is also the time the helping child provides show and tell for the class. After circle we split up into 3 groups and rotate through 3 "jobs" which might include art, crafts, cooking, gym or outside time, or any other activity related to our weekly theme. Our job time typically lasts about 45 minutes. Next, we have a small snack and return to circle for closing activities which might include music, poems, games and a book pertaining to the theme of the week or the season.
What is the schedule of a typical day in the Mon/Wed/Fri 3-4 year old class?
Our first 45-60 minutes is focused on social development. We then clean up and have circle time, where we talk about the calendar and the weather. This is also the time the helping child provides clues to help us guess what's in the secret bag. After circle we split up into 3 groups and rotate through 3 "jobs" which might include art, crafts, cooking, gym or outside time, or any other activity related to our weekly theme. Our job time typically lasts about 45 minutes. Next, we have a small snack and return to circle for closing activities which might include music, poems, games and a book pertaining to the theme of the week or the season.
What is the schedule of a typical day in the Mon - Fri 4-5 year old class?
Our first 30 - 45 minutes is focused on social development. We then clean up and have circle time where we talk about the calendar, weather, and the helping child has the secret bag - our version of show and tell. The next 45 to 60 minutes is spent rotating among 3 "jobs." Our jobs include art, crafts, and other activities associated with our topic for the week. We then return to circle for music, games, a read aloud book and other fun activities that relate to our weekly topic.
What does “cooperative” mean with regard to the preschool?
The Cooperative Preschool believes that the best way to educate children is to have a cooperative effort between teachers and parents. The school encourages active participation of every parent in whatever way works for you. You may choose to participate by helping with a fund-raiser, providing treats for a special party, demonstrating a special skill to a class, serving on our Preschool Board, or by being a "helping parent" in your child's class approximately 6 times a year.
What is the "Accommodative Option"?
Any families who are not able to participate as a "helping parent" have an option to pay a $15 monthly fee in order to "opt out" of those days when they would be scheduled to help out in the classroom. Please note: the child would still have an opportunity to be the special helper and would need to bring in an item for the secret bag.
What is the Valet Service?
Parents and caregivers have the option to have door-to-door drop-off and pick -up. There is no need to get out of your car! This service is included in our tuition rates. You may choose to walk your child into the classroom one day and then opt for the valet service the next. Whatever works best for you!
Do you have an outdoor play space?
Yes, we have an outdoor play space that is available for children to get a breath of fresh air during class time. Our convenient downtown location also leaves us the option to walk to the Hufnagle Playground or take a walk downtown to check out the February ice sculptures or the Halloween scarecrows!
Do you offer any extended hours?
Yes, twice a week the children enrolled in the Mon/Wed/Fri and Mon-Fri classes are invited to eat their lunch with teachers and friends for a $3 fee. The Mon/Wed/Fri class stays later and the Mon - Fri class arrives earlier for this lunch program.
How does being a ministry of Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church influence the Cooperative Preschool classroom?
Love, kindness, caring, and respect are among the virtues emphasized in our ecumenical program. A prayer before snack time is included in our daily routine.
Prayers:
"ABCDEFG, Thank you Lord for feeding me."
"Thank you for the world so sweet. Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing. Thank you, God, for everything."
What is the class schedule?
What is the class schedule?
Tues/Thurs 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for 2-3 year old children
Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for 3-4 year old children
Mon - Fri 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. for 4-5 year old children, Pre-K children
What is the price of your classes?
Monthly Payment:
Tues/Thurs = $110
Mon/Wed/Fri = $155
Mon - Fri = $190
How many children are in each class?
There is a target of 10 children in the Tues/Thurs class.
There is a target of 15 children in the Mon/Wed/Fri class.
There is a target of 15 children in the Mon - Fri class.
How old does my child need to be to attend classes?
Tues/Thurs: Children are 2-3 years old and do not need to be potty trained. Children younger than 2 years old may be enrolled with teacher consent, but priority enrollment is given to children who meet the age requirement.
Mon/Wed/Fri: Children are at least 3 years old by September 1 and must be potty trained.
Mon - Fri: Children are at least 4 years old by September 1 and are eligible for Kindergarten the next year.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Our Tues/Thurs 2-3 year old class is specifically geared to children who may not be potty trained. Our other classes do require children to be potty trained, but we realize that every child may have accidents. The teachers are always available for help in the bathroom, if it is needed. If there becomes an issue with everyday accidents, then parents and teachers will meet to discuss the issue. Only teachers are permitted to help and change children, not helping parents.
What is the general framework of The Cooperative Preschool?
Our school strives to provide a balance of activities, which allow children to develop both a freedom of expression and ability to participate in structured activity.
What is your curriculum in the Tues/Thurs 2-3 year old class?
The 2-3 year old program is centered on socialization with an introduction to classroom routines including circle time, clean up, and sharing a snack. We incorporate weather, colors, shapes, music, movement, and project completion into our weekly curriculum.
What is your curriculum in the Mon/Wed/Fri 3-4 year old class?
The 3-4 year old program is centered on socialization. We incorporate colors, shapes, and letters into our centers, activities, and games.
What is your curriculum in the Mon - Fri 4-5 year old class?
The 4-5 year old program is geared to ready children for Kindergarten, working at each child's pace. We provide an environment rich with opportunity to learn social skills, numbers, letters and a love for reading. Miss Bonnie is available to meet with interested parents to further explain the details of our curriculum.
What is the schedule of a typical day in the Tues/Thurs 2-3 year old class?
Our first 45-60 minutes is focused on social development. We then clean up and have circle time, where we talk about the calendar and weather. This is also the time the helping child provides show and tell for the class. After circle we split up into 3 groups and rotate through 3 "jobs" which might include art, crafts, cooking, gym or outside time, or any other activity related to our weekly theme. Our job time typically lasts about 45 minutes. Next, we have a small snack and return to circle for closing activities which might include music, poems, games and a book pertaining to the theme of the week or the season.
What is the schedule of a typical day in the Mon/Wed/Fri 3-4 year old class?
Our first 45-60 minutes is focused on social development. We then clean up and have circle time, where we talk about the calendar and the weather. This is also the time the helping child provides clues to help us guess what's in the secret bag. After circle we split up into 3 groups and rotate through 3 "jobs" which might include art, crafts, cooking, gym or outside time, or any other activity related to our weekly theme. Our job time typically lasts about 45 minutes. Next, we have a small snack and return to circle for closing activities which might include music, poems, games and a book pertaining to the theme of the week or the season.
What is the schedule of a typical day in the Mon - Fri 4-5 year old class?
Our first 30 - 45 minutes is focused on social development. We then clean up and have circle time where we talk about the calendar, weather, and the helping child has the secret bag - our version of show and tell. The next 45 to 60 minutes is spent rotating among 3 "jobs." Our jobs include art, crafts, and other activities associated with our topic for the week. We then return to circle for music, games, a read aloud book and other fun activities that relate to our weekly topic.
What does “cooperative” mean with regard to the preschool?
The Cooperative Preschool believes that the best way to educate children is to have a cooperative effort between teachers and parents. The school encourages active participation of every parent in whatever way works for you. You may choose to participate by helping with a fund-raiser, providing treats for a special party, demonstrating a special skill to a class, serving on our Preschool Board, or by being a "helping parent" in your child's class approximately 6 times a year.
What is the "Accommodative Option"?
Any families who are not able to participate as a "helping parent" have an option to pay a $15 monthly fee in order to "opt out" of those days when they would be scheduled to help out in the classroom. Please note: the child would still have an opportunity to be the special helper and would need to bring in an item for the secret bag.
What is the Valet Service?
Parents and caregivers have the option to have door-to-door drop-off and pick -up. There is no need to get out of your car! This service is included in our tuition rates. You may choose to walk your child into the classroom one day and then opt for the valet service the next. Whatever works best for you!
Do you have an outdoor play space?
Yes, we have an outdoor play space that is available for children to get a breath of fresh air during class time. Our convenient downtown location also leaves us the option to walk to the Hufnagle Playground or take a walk downtown to check out the February ice sculptures or the Halloween scarecrows!
Do you offer any extended hours?
Yes, twice a week the children enrolled in the Mon/Wed/Fri and Mon-Fri classes are invited to eat their lunch with teachers and friends for a $3 fee. The Mon/Wed/Fri class stays later and the Mon - Fri class arrives earlier for this lunch program.
How does being a ministry of Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church influence the Cooperative Preschool classroom?
Love, kindness, caring, and respect are among the virtues emphasized in our ecumenical program. A prayer before snack time is included in our daily routine.
Prayers:
"ABCDEFG, Thank you Lord for feeding me."
"Thank you for the world so sweet. Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing. Thank you, God, for everything."