What You Need to Know About Preschool Co-ops

Have you considered whether a preschool co-op is the right model for your early learning center? In the following guide, we provide an overview of preschool co-ops, including benefits and drawbacks, as well as several best practices for running a successful preschool co-op. Read on to find out more.

What Is a Preschool Co-op?

A co-op, short for cooperative, is an organization that is owned and/or operated by the members of the group. A preschool co-op can take many forms, from a small informal preschool playgroup run by several parents in a community to a structured, formal preschool in which parent participation is both encouraged and required. For the purposes of this guide, we will explore preschool co-ops as formal organizations, comparable with other types of early learning programs.

A Brief History of the Preschool Co-op

The American preschool co-op model harkens back to 1916 in which a group of faculty wives at the University of Chicago pooled resources to create a cooperative early learning environment that would provide quality childcare and enrichment to the children, while allowing the mothers to participate in the war effort. Among the preschool co-op pioneers was Katharine Whiteside Taylor, author of the landmark 1954 “Parents and Children Learn Together.” In 1941, Seattle Public Schools hired her to develop a “family life education” program to provide social education for children and parenting education for parents. The preschool co-op model gained popularity across the state of Washington and by the 1960s became formally affiliated with state colleges and technical schools. Today, many universities, community colleges, and vocational schools across the country offer preschool cooperatives that provide early childhood education classes for parents and a classroom environment for children that serves as a “learning lab” to supplement parent education. In addition, preschool co-ops can take the form of nonprofit organizations, religious or secular early learning programs, nursery schools, and other formats. If you are considering whether a preschool co-op model is right for your early learning program, then you will want to know the benefits and drawbacks of the co-op model, which we’ll explore next.

Benefits of Preschool Co-ops

Here are several benefits offered by preschool co-ops:

• Parent involvement in children’s education – Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of the preschool co-op model is the opportunity for parents to become personally involved in their child’s early education. This benefit can strengthen the bond between parent and child, provide a sense of joy and investment in parents who work part-time or have flexible hours, and provide a sense of security, trust, and confidence in children whose parents are present in the early learning environment.
• Parent education – In addition to parent involvement, another benefit of the preschool co-op model is the opportunity for parent education in the areas of childhood development and early childhood education. Parent education helps to bridge the gap between what children learn at school and what they learn at home, giving parents ways to reinforce learning that takes place at preschool in the home. Parents also become more connected to the educational community at large by having more opportunities to get to know the preschool director, teachers, aides, other parents, and other children, fostering a community where the same educational and social values are shared.
• Support and friendship – Along with parent education, preschool co-ops give parents, and their children, access to a community of likeminded families also invested in their children’s education. A close-knit community fosters support and friendship for the families involved, enhancing the education experience for all.
• Low cost – With parents working in the classroom on a rotational basis, preschool co-ops are able to keep costs lower than typical early learning programs. In some cases, co-ops can offer tuition from one-half to two-thirds less than the cost of drop-off daycare. The low cost of the preschool co-op model may help you attract families for whom full-time or even part-time traditional preschool may not be an option.
• Play-based learning – Preschool co-ops integrate play-based learning with age-appropriate activities and materials. Play-based learning is supported by research showing that young children learn invaluable skills like resilience, conflict resolution, and sharing through play.
• Flexibility – Because most preschool co-ops are part-time programs, they offer families plenty of time outside of school for family time, other activities, and commitments. Co-ops typically run several days a week for several hours a day, depending on the program. Many families enjoy the flexibility provided by preschool co-ops.
• High adult-to-child ratios – Finally, preschool co-ops boast impressive adult-to-child ratios that are typically higher than those of a traditional preschool. High adult-to-child ratios allow for more guided play opportunities that help expand a child’s learning.

Drawbacks of Preschool Co-ops

Here are a few drawbacks of preschool co-ops:

• Commitment – Preschool co-ops do require parents to be actively involved. If parents do not have time/resources to fulfill the commitment requirements of the co-op, then this type of preschool program may not be right for them. Traditional drop-off/pick-up preschool may be a better option.
• Limited hours – While preschool co-ops do offer a flexible part-time schedule to families, the limited hours may not meet the childcare needs of all families. Again, traditional preschool with more expansive full-time and part-time offerings may be a better choice.
• Childcare logistics – At times, the volunteer requirements of preschool co-ops can make it tricky for parents to figure out childcare for other siblings. For example, when it’s a parent’s turn to volunteer in the preschool classroom, he or she will have to find suitable childcare for younger siblings. These situations require some creative problem-solving on the part of parents.

Best Practices for Successful Preschool Co-ops

If after considering the benefits and drawbacks of the preschool co-op model you are still interested in running a co-op of your own, then you’ll want to implement a few best practices to help make it a positive experience for all:

• Be upfront about parent commitment – One of the most important practices you can put in place for your preschool co-op is to be upfront about the level of commitment required from families who join your preschool. Provide a parent handbook, frequently asked questions, and informational brochure about the preschool co-op model to create a clear picture for parents of the commitment required from them. Upon enrollment, ask parents to submit an agreement specifying the volunteer requirements you have asked them to complete as a member of the co-op.
• Cultivate community – Co-ops are uniquely positioned to foster a sense of community and friendship among the participants, so do your best to encourage community among your members. Host seasonal events like an ice cream social, cookies and cocoa, and so on to create opportunities for co-op members to connect. Field trips, picnics, open houses, and other fun events help families get excitedabout the special community they are a part of.
• Show your appreciation – Finally, be sure to show your appreciation toward all members of the co-op community. Each family has made this commitment because they believe in the preschool co-op model, see the value in it for their children’s education, and are willing to contribute to its overall success. They could have chosen drop-off daycare, but they chose your preschool co-op. Think of creative ways you can show your appreciation throughout the year to share the love.

We hope this guide has been a helpful tool as you decide whether a preschool co-op is right for you.

 

Honest Buck Accounting partners with Early Childhood Education businesses like yours to help them build a solid financial foundation and grow a profitable business. Reach out to our team of experts to schedule a free consultation. Contact us today.