Only in a co-operative preschool do children and parents share a unique and wonderful learning experience. In a co-operative, families share equally the privileges and responsibilities of providing a preschool education for each child. Greater understanding of one's own child comes from observing them in the program as they interact with other children, their teacher and other adults. Parents also have the opportunity to help the teachers in providing a safe, challenging and fun environment for all the children. Our Co-op Preschool is a non-profit corporation run by enthusiastic parents and assisted by qualified R.E.C.E. staff. As a result of parent participation and fundraising we are able to keep fees at a very reasonable rate.
At a Co-op, parents are an integral part of the operation of the school. The school is administered by a parent executive and run by parent committees. As a member of Little Mountaineers Co-op, each family has a committee responsibility or is a member of the executive and must attend General Business meetings through the school year.
The school is organized with Volunteer (participating) and Non-Volunteer (non-participating) memberships. Volunteer parents are involved in assisting the teacher on a rotating basis in the school during their child's attendance. Limited enrollment is also available for Non-volunteering parents who are not able to assist the teacher in the classroom.
The school is staffed by 3 Early Childhood Educators. The teachers are in charge of planning and implementing an educational program for the children. The teacher also provides orientation and training to the participating parents who assist in the classroom.
Parents and staff are responsible for meeting and maintaining the requirements of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and its regulations.