Parent participation
Parents in the Cooperative Preschool share their child's preschool experience, while learning about children's development. The parents are assistant teachers in the preschool. As such, they interact with children, other parents, the children's teacher and the Parent Educator.
Classroom experiences provide opportunities to explore new ideas, practice parenting skills and Early Childhood Education skills, to observe children and other adult models, to interact and experiment with curriculum, to formulate new patterns of adult/child interaction and to develop new questions and ideas to be carried over to the Parent Education meetings.
All parents participate in the running of the preschool – either through serving on the board of directors or serving on a standing committee. Parents also participate in fundraising efforts, and additional school activities.
Parent participation is a key element of the cooperative preschool experience. Parents are expected to:
- Work in the classroom 2 to 3 times per month
- Work on a committee or the co–op board
- Attend monthly Parent Education meetings
- Participate in fund–raising for the school
Goals for parents include:
- Gain confidence in and enhance their parenting skills
- Share ideas and concerns with other parents
- Broaden their understanding of children's development
- Build a network of mutual support
- Develop and use leadership skills
- Work cooperatively with the children's teacher, parent educator and other parents
At Pierce College, we believe that the family provides the child's most important learning environment. Therefore, we offer education, involvement opportunities and support for the entire family.
