Prospective Members
We're excited you're considering joining the Co-op family! See below for information about current openings, tours, enrollment, waitlists, parent requirements, tuition, and other items of interest to potential members.
Current Openings
Are there any current openings?
We have 4 openings in our Moon Comet preschool classroom! Please fill out this application to be considered and make sure to include the $60 application fee (cash or check only), send it in the mail or drop it off in our mailbox. Please send inquiries to our Program Supervisor at meghan@coopchild.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tours
Can I tour the Co-op?
Tours are typically offered every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10am and last about an hour. Please contact our Program Supervisor at meghan@coopchild.org to sign-up for a tour. The calendar will be updated with upcoming tours as well.
Waitlist and Enrollment Process
How can I join the Cooperative Children’s Center Community?
Typically, the first step in the admission process is to attend a family tour. To sign up for a tour, please contact Meghan Finney at program_supervisor@coopchild.org. You may submit a waiting list form before or after the family tour. A non-refundable $60 fee is required to add your child’s name to the waiting list.
We currently have an on-going waiting list. Each room has a different time frame. We recommend placing your child on the list 6-12 months before your desired start date.
Many families join the Co-op between June and September, but openings during the year can occur. Once we have a space open for your child we will contact you via phone and/or email. We will then ask you to submit a $100 non-refundable registration fee to hold your child’s space. Prior to your start date, a deposit of 1/2 month’s tuition or $500 (whichever is greater) will be required. This deposit is refundable upon departure given that you have been enrolled in the program for a minimum of six months. During your visits and paperwork appointment, full tuition will be due.
Upon accepting a space for your child, you are responsible for tuition, fees, and parent work hours beginning with the date of enrollment. We require 30 days written notice of withdrawal if you will be leaving the Co-op. You are entitled, upon withdrawal, to request the return of the initial membership deposit.
Upon becoming a Co-op member, you will have an orientation/training session with the Director or Program Supervisor and a work hours session/classroom orientation with the Lead Teacher. Parents working in a classroom will need to have placed in our files evidence of a TB test and turned in the remaining registration forms, including your desired parent work schedule.
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]