What is a Co-Op?Cooperative programs depend upon the hands-on support of the parents to administrate and maintain the school. A commitment to supporting and encouraging a collaborative community within the classroom and throughout the school is reflective of cooperative ideals. Families Together Cooperative Nursery School’s commitment to be a true cooperative – with sliding-scale tuition, a parent Board, parent assistants to support our exceptional teachers and an incredible committee structure – is the backbone of our wonderful school. All parents at FTCNS demonstrate their continuing commitment to their child’s education by:
In the classroom, the unique qualities of the parents enhance the learning environment for the children and teachers. Parents also have the opportunity to better understand a school setting, watch their child learn in the classroom, develop a closer relationship with the teachers and broaden their knowledge of young children. Other parental contributions may include serving on the Board of Directors, helping teachers with classroom set up and clean up, fundraising, and helping to publicize and recruit new families to the program. This spirit of families working together creates a strong sense of community that permeates our school. Indeed, current and former families view this as one of the enduring strengths of FTCNS. Our expectations of an assisting parent Parent volunteers arrive 30 minutes before class begins to help the teachers set up the classroom, prepare snack, and communicate with the teachers about the classroom plan for the day. The parent assistant is responsible for bringing the group snack for the day (all snacks are peanut-free and the snack menu is set by the school). During class time, parent assistants interact with the children in the classroom, helping them find and participate in activities; help the teachers supervise play and set limits, when necessary; and serve snack. Parents also stay 30 minutes after class to help the teachers clean up. All assisting parent responsibilities and guidelines are written and posted in the classroom for referral. Parents rotate in the classroom on a regularly scheduled basis, volunteering approximately once every four weeks when enrollment is full. Everyone shares in the scheduling equally. No family is exempted from assisting in the classroom, although the school can adjust the schedule to each family’s specific needs (birth of a new baby, vacation time, illness, etc.) Our parents really enjoy this aspect of our programs. It is a fantastic opportunity to see your child grow over the course of the year in the school environment, as well as an opportunity to see the teachers in action and to get to know your child’s friends. It is a fun, memorable and rewarding experience. |
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