Families in co-op preschools

[Amys1st]

My daughter attends a co op preschool and starting this week she will be attending 3 afternoons a week. She did attend their Mom n Tot program and loved it. She also loves the teachers.

I am on the board this year and I have met several nice families-many of who are also AP like myself. We decided on this school because we are a very hands on family. We like to be involved in anything we are a part of- church etc and since this school requires participation, it works for us.

I am interested in talking to other families using a co-op preschool in their area and what they have to do for the school as well. This will aid me as well to talk to interested parents in our program.

[TiredX2]

DS will be starting next week.

DD did one year, three years ago.

I am the Parent Rep this year.

If you have anything specific, don't hesitate to ask

[jaye]

My oldest has been in 2 different co ops - we had to leave one because we moved out of the city. It's a lot of work but I really loved it. At the first one, I was responsible for dec-o-plates and book orders, and on the committee that handled all the big events. At the 2nd one I was responsible for putting on the Open House events.

My boy just started K but my twins will probably go to the co op when they are old enough.

[sarasprings]

My son just started his coop preschool. We have to volunteer in the classroom (with no younger siblings) 4 times a year and be on two committees. I'm on fundraising and hospitaility. We can also host a parent coffee during classtime.

[jaye]

Originally Posted by sarasprings

My son just started his coop preschool. We have to volunteer in the classroom (with no younger siblings) 4 times a year and be on two committees. I'm on fundraising and hospitaility. We can also host a parent coffee during classtime.

Wow only 4 times a year? - we had to (got to?) work every week! and be on call 1 day a month. and work 1 weekend day per quarter to do big cleaning.

[sarasprings]

Originally Posted by jaye

Wow only 4 times a year? - we had to (got to?) work every week! and be on call 1 day a month. and work 1 weekend day per quarter to do big cleaning.

I forgot our cleaning weekend, but it's just once per year. It's not really bad at all.

The worst part -- and the reason we almost didn't sign up -- was the fundraiser. In past years, it was an auction and everyone had to get 3 businesses to contribute. Luckily, they changed it this year to a consignment sale.

[TiredX2]

We work one day per week.

The threes class (which my son will be in, he makes the cut-off by one day but we "held him back) goes two days a week and a parent works once.

The fours class goes three days a week, and once again, the parent works once.

I wouldn't consider preschool with *less* volunteer time on the parents part. That's just me.

We also need to do one clean of the preschool per year and be on a committee (I am parent rep this year, so I don't). The commities include cut n' snip (making stuff for art projects, etc...), maintenance, fundraising, book club (running the scholastic book club), safety and a few others.

The co-op is run through a local college so there are parent education requirements as well. There is one class meeting a month (plus one for board members) and three speakers per year that present parenting/education topics.

You are also expected to buy a ticket to the auction (big fundraiser) and donate one item to the auction. There are several other fundraisers but we will probably not participate in them.

[Treasuremapper]

My daughter goes to the All Austin Cooperative Nursery School. http://www.allaustincoop.org. We have a great teacher this year and she loves it. Parents rotate "helping parent" which is basically a teacher aide position. This comes up about once a month.

In addition, we have the following responsibilities:

a) one day of work on the grounds;
b) one big outside job, which can range from fundraising to health officer to enrollment officer, school directory and website, etc. (support job)
c) active participation in fundraising events, ie, each is strongly encouraged to sell tickets to the nonanimal circus, donate to the silent auction, set up a booth at the annual fair, etc.
d) extra projects. This year the school is going to do a community build of a new playground and the entire school will participate for three days to recreate the playground.

[LunaMom]

DD wwent to a wonderful co-op preschool. I worked in the classroom roughly once a month and had to provide snack on those days. I also had to be on a committee - I was on the publicity committee, which meant photographing school events and writing articles to send with the photos to local newspapers, and keeping area libraries and community centers stocked with brochures. I also had to help with set-up in the fall and clean-up in the spring - just a couple of hours each time.