There are many advantages to sending your children to co-op preschools. Oakland parents say that they were initially drawn to co-ops because of the low tuition fees, but they ended up loving the school for the strong sense of community and camaraderie they provide.  Parents develop life-long friendships as they share the work of school maintenance and administration, and learn much about early childhood development as they watch their child at work and play. So if you don’t want to miss out on these precious childhood years, consider one of these great co-op preschools in Oakland.   There has never been a better time to be closely involved in your child’s education.

Peter Pan Cooperative Nursery School

Since 1947, Oakland parents have shared the challenging job of raising and educating their children at Peter Pan Cooperative Nursery School. This play-based preschool allows children to learn at their own pace and make friends with all sorts of kids with different ages, personalities, and social backgrounds.  Because most of the activities are self-directed, children learn to be independent, to take care of their school, and to respect their friends.  That doesn’t mean that there isn’t any structure at all; on the contrary, Peter Pan has a daily schedule of activities. However, within the scheduled hours, children are free to decide which activities to engage in. 

What parents love most about the teaching philosophy at Peter Pan is their emphasis on conflict resolution. At this age, kids are still understanding their needs, discovering other people’s boundaries, and learning to share. The teachers at Peter Pan will help your child develop these social skills using strategies that enable kids to learn how to compromise, express their feelings appropriately, and respect other children’s needs.

Learn more about this great co-op preschool at http://www.peterpancoop.com/.

Montclair Community Place Center

Don’t let the name of the school fool you – Montclair Community Place Center (MCPC) is not a day care center. It’s a fantastic co-op preschool with a full-on play-based curriculum that balances cognitive skill games, sensory activities, and fine motor activities. MCPC facilitates learning by designing activities around a monthly theme.  On any given day, your child will be learning about letters, shapes, numbers, and colors using art projects, outdoor play, cooking activities, and field trips.  Although the monthly theme and methods are decided in advance, children are given the freedom to choose among the pre-planned activities.   MCPC’s curriculum also aims to develop social skills and emotional literacy in children.  As children learn the basics of math and reading, they also develop an appreciation for diversity and the world they live in.   

Of course, parents can learn right with their child in the classroom! Part of the co-op duties involve working one morning each week at the school.  You’ll also be expected to do administrative jobs, work two four-hour housekeeping shifts each year, and attend a general parents meeting every month.  These tasks are a great opportunity for you to get to know fellow parents and get involved in your child’s education.   

Learn more about MCPC at http://www.mcpckids.org.

These Oakland preschools come highly recommended by parents!