cooperative daycare/preschool

[littlehawksmom]

Has anyone any experience or links regarding a coop preschool? I mean set up like a preschool, but organized and run by a coop.
We go to a home school group with a great bunch of women, but I REALLY need some time off from ds and all the preschools here are religious.
The group may be interested inthis. I need some hard data-startup costs, running costs, etc, planning ideas-you get the idea. I saw a post once about this, but can't find it now...
Thanks.

[because]

I think maybe you'd get a better response in Finding Your Tribe geographic area. But to answer the question, my brother was in a coop preschool 20 years ago at a church but it wasn't churchy/religious. It was just held at that site. Have you checked out your local ones for that option?

[AngieB]

Myself and a group of other moms just started a co-op this fall. We started planning it in may and classes began in sept. We have no teacher we all take turns acting as teacher for the day. We got a free space from the local rec. department, we each donated a little money for start up supplies, and have brought things from home. We don't charge and fees, each mom has to work 2 time a month and attend 1 monthly planning meeting. You should contact your local office of education, they may be able to give you some info and resorces. Each state has their own rule about licensing and such so you need to find that out. If you happen to live in CA I can give you a lot more info. PM me if you have any other questions I may be able to help.

[MtBikeLover]

My DS goes to a co-op, but it is fairly big and sounds a little different from what you are describing. This particular co-op requires parents to play an active part in the schooling and there is a parent at every class. We rotate which means that I am the parent helper every 6 weeks (2 days a week class, 12 students in class).

I absolutely love it because I get to see first hand what goes on in class and how my son is adapting and what he is learning.

It is non-religious and very very play oriented.

[jtbuko]

I must get offline now, but just saw your post and could rave/ chat for hours about our experience with co-operative childcare for our son... PM me if you are still interested in co-op preschool, and I can share my experiences starting and participating in two different types of co-ops.