New & Current Members
This page is for new members seeking enrollment forms and other information as well as current members seeking renewal/change forms and other Co-op information.
Enrollment Packet
Please fill out these forms and return them to the office
Please download all of the enrollment forms from our Enrollment Forms Google Drive folder, fill them out, and return them to the office or email them to meghan@coopchild.org.
Coop Information Packet
Please read these documents
Please read over all of the information in our Co-op Information Google Drive folder. For the safety of our children, you will need a TB (tuberculosis) test, so please be sure to read and follow the instructions in the "Obtaining a TB Test" document in that folder.
Background Check
Obtaining a Background Check
Because you will be working with children at the Co-op, you will need to get a background check through the MERIT web site. Note that our school is listed as “COOPERATIVE CHILDRENS CENTER” (all caps and no apostrophe), and you’ll need to sign up as a volunteer.
1. After logging into the MERIT site, click on the "Professional Record" tab.
2. Under the Early Care & Educational section click the "add Employment" button. Select the checkbox for "licensed childcare facility" then search for COOPERATIVE CHILDRENS CENTER and select it. It will then give you job titles to choose from and one of them is "Center Volunteer".
Parent Requirements
What do I need to do as a parent?
The Co-op provides quality care at a full range of hours and your involvement and support are crucial. Parent participation enables the Co-op to incorporate a wide variety of parent skills in each child’s day, as well as a family atmosphere. This structure also provides you as a parent a special opportunity to participate in your child’s world. As a parent at the Co-op, your responsibilities will include working as a staff member in your child’s classroom, attending parent meetings workshops on a semi monthly basis, business meetings and work parties, and other Co-op activities. You will be asked as part of your work in the classroom to wash snack dishes, read to or play with a group of children, accompany another parent or teacher on excursions, wipe down tables, mix paints – whatever is needed, when it is needed. Expect to work in the center 2 hours a week if your child is enrolled 4 or more days each week, 1.5 hours a week if they are enrolled 3 days each week, and 1 hour if they are enrolled 2 days each week. If you will miss your scheduled parent work hours, you must let the teacher know in advance (the Thursday before your shift) and you will need to trade hours with another parent to work your hours when you are unavailable (due to vacation, illness etc). A late fee will be charged for being late or failing to find another parent to take on your hours. In order to allow for adequate coverage of the work schedule and to protect the Co-op financially, you must give 30 days written notice if you are withdrawing from the Co-op. If this notice is not given, regardless of the reason for withdrawal, you will be liable for tuition fees and the missed work hours. Fees cannot be refunded after payment is made.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is due by the 5th of each month, and may be paid automatically. Your tuition covers breakfast, two mid-day snacks, and the overall day-to-day needs for your child (excluding diapers). Our membership votes on our budget, and new tuition rates take effect every July.
Tuition Rates & Parent Hour Commitment
Classroom Name | Full-time | 4 days/ week | 3 days/ week | 2 days/ week |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sun Room
(1-2.5 yrs) | $2615/month
+2 hrs/wk | $2242/month
+2 hrs/wk | $1908/month
+1.5 hrs/wk | $1327/month
+1 hr/wk |
Star Room
(2-3.5 yrs) | $2458/month
+2 hrs/wk | $2107/month
+2 hrs/wk | $1798/month
+1.5 hrs/wk | $1249/month
+1 hr/wk |
Moon/ Comet Room
(3-5 yrs) | $2119/month
+2 hrs/wk | $1816/month
+2 hrs/wk | $1547/month
+1.5 hrs/wk | $1085/month
+1 hr/wk |
Drop In Rate
The full-day drop in rate for all classrooms is $100.
Drop in days are for families who are currently enrolled or who have been enrolled in the Co-op within the past 12 months.
Late Fees & Fines
Late Fine: (late for parent hour shift or after 5:30pm pick up) $1.00/minute
Late parent hour fine is payable to the Co-op, late pick up charges will be added to your next month tuition statement.
Late Tuition: 5% of balance if not paid by the 5th of the month
Exceptions must be approved by the director prior to the 5th of the month.
Missing Mandatory Meetings or Work Party: $50*
Check Returned by Bank: $20.00
*Each family can miss one mandatory meeting without a fine. Work parties are mandatory and will incur a fine if not arranged prior with the director.
Meals
What will my child eat while attending?
At the Co-op we promote the healthy growth of the children inside and out. We serve organic milk (whole milk for ages 1-2 and 1% from 2 on up) and we use fresh organic fruits and vegetables and whole grains whenever possible. Water is always available and children are encouraged to drink throughout the day. We are a peanut-free facility, offering a vegetarian menu. We can accommodate most allergies and food preferences.
We provide breakfast which consists of cereal, fruit and milk. Each year we host a “PJ and Pancakes Day” where children and staff show up in the pajamas and are served pancakes with warm berries on top! It’s a big hit with the kids.
Families are asked to bring in a healthy well-balanced lunch that is low in sugar. Lunch items need not be vegetarian. Please mark your child’s lunch with his or her name. Lunches are kept in the refrigerator in each classroom.
After naptime, children awake to a healthy mini-meal which is larger than a snack and smaller than a meal. Some examples of mini-meals are: stir fried rice with veggies and tofu, red lentil soup with whole grain rolls, and tomato soup with toasted cheese sandwiches. We vary our menu often and change with the tastes of the children and the seasons. We try to use produce from our p-patch when available. Families are encouraged to submit snack ideas that reflect their cultural background.
Here are some examples of what we serve (these are some of our actual past snack menus):
Sample Breakfast Menu [PDF]
Sample Mid-Day Snack Menu [PDF]