Our School

Preschool should be a fun, engaging environment where children are encouraged to play and explore while learning to cooperate with others, gain self-confidence and a positive self-image, and develop independence.

Our Class Design

For the Kids

Kent Meridian Cooperative Preschool uses a play-based curriculum where every activity is carefully selected and implemented to encourage learning through play. This approach is the result of a conscious decision to focus on non-cognitive development for preschool aged students, rather than a solitary focus on academic skills.

A cooperative preschool is just as much about the parents/guardians as it is about the children, providing a parenting community and network. While working in the classroom, parents/guardians are able to see the play-based model in action. In addition, Kent Meridian Cooperative Preschool offers Parent Education sessions where the focus is on age/development milestones children may be at, and how to parent through them utilizing the positive parenting method.

For the Parents/Guardians

Gold Class

Gold Class is equally focused on providing a social environment for children age 0-1, and ensuring new parents (or repeat parents with new littles ones) feel supported and have a safe environment to discuss individual issues they are experiencing & learn from one another. Our Gold Class Instructor will cover a breadth of topics new parents are working through, such as postpartum mental health, support during sleep training, and standard milestones. This foundation class embodies the cooperative preschool mindset by allowing families to connect and build community while engaging children in age appropriate development activities and songs.

Logistics

Teacher - Ben
Day/Time - Wednesday @ 9:30-11:30AM
Day/Time - Every week, during class

Financial

Registration - $100 (child), $125 (family)
Monthly tuition - $73*
Annual fundraising obligation - $155 (child), $209 (family)

Red Class

In Red Class, Kent Meridian Cooperative Preschool provides an environment where children and parents are able to start working through attachment by hosting Parent Education during preschool, in the same building but in a separate room. By laying this safe space foundation, children are able to dive into the play-based model with the support of their teacher and other parent volunteers while working on this critical skill. Through songs, music, rhymes and reading - children continue to develop early language skills. Sensory activities are provided, allowing for creativity while boosting fine motor skills (and keeping the mess at preschool!). Children start to develop their social skills in a peer environment, while also being empowered to work on independent play.

Logistics

Teacher - Ben
Day/Time - Monday @ 9:30-11:30AM
Parent Education Instructor - Jen
Day/Time - Biweekly, during class

Financial

Registration - $100 (child), $125 (family)
Monthly tuition - $80*
Annual fundraising obligation - $155 (child), $209 (family)

Orange Class

In Orange Class, the use of seasonal units lets the children explore sensory activities and art projects to continue fine motor skill development while sharing new concepts, age-appropriate science experiments, and cooperative peer activities using the play-based model. Teachers introduce more advanced songs and rhymes to progress language and verbal comprehension. Parent Education takes place in the preschool building, in a separate room, to help parents and children work through separation anxiety in a supported environment.

Logistics

Teacher - Jen
Day/Time - Wednesday @ 9:30-11:30 AM
Parent Education Instructor - Ben
Day/Time - Biweekly, during class

Financial

Registration - $100 (child), $125 (family)
Monthly tuition - $80*
Annual fundraising obligation - $155 (child), $209 (family)

Green Class

In Green Class, Kent Meridian Cooperative Preschool begins to introduce a partial drop-off model, allowing parents/guardians to work in the classroom on a scheduled basis, participate in Parent Education monthly, and drop off & leave their child(ren) to further work through any separation anxiety. Units featuring real world places and experiences are introduced to share exciting new concepts and activities, working on imaginative play and new sensory skills. Social skills are a focus as teachers work with children to help them work and play together. Children get to explore more independence during field trips!

Logistics

Teacher - Jen
Day/Time - Tuesday/Thursday @ 9:15-11:30AM
Parent Education Instructor - Ben
Day/Time - Once per month

Financial

Registration - $100 (child), $125 (family)
Monthly tuition - $115*
Annual fundraising obligation - $155 (child), $209 (family)

Blue Class

Blue Class is a dynamic and flexible class that welcomes children aged 3.5 to 5 years old. Because children's ages span multiple years, teachers adjust the play-based curriculum to meet the needs of the class in real time including kindergarten preparedness. Children continue their exploration with new units such as dinosaurs & fossils, and new activities such as show & tell are introduced to support verbal development, confidence, and social skills. Arts & crafts encourage fine motor skill development and creativity while keeping the mess at preschool!

Logistics

Teacher - Ben
Day/Time - Tuesday/Thursday @ 12:15-2:30PM
Parent Education Instructor - Jen
Day/Time - Once per month

Financial

Registration - $100 (child), $125 (family)
Monthly tuition - $115*
Annual fundraising obligation - $155 (child), $209 (family)

Purple Class

In Purple Class, the end goal is to ensure children are ready for kindergarten through a focus on play-based curriculum and social skill development. Small muscle and fine motor skills are further honed through the use of tools and toys, and science experiments are utilized more frequently to help visualize cause & effect and encourage critical thinking. Interactive 'real world' units such as farm, hospital, bakery and grocery store are designed to be engaging and help expand the class's imaginative play. Purple Class goes on various field trips throughout the year to help expose children to exciting experiences outside of school!

Logistics

Teacher - Ben
Day/Time - Monday/Wednesday/Friday @ 12:15-2:30PM
Parent Education Instructor - Jen
Day/Time - Once per month

Financial

Registration - $100 (child), $125 (family)
Monthly tuition - $155*
Annual fundraising obligation - $155 (child), $209 (family)

*A 3% transaction fee will be added to your tuition payments if paid online

Parent Education

We believe the Parent Education component of our preschool is vital. During these sessions, parents/guardians will find caring, educated, and empathic instructors who see their role not only as an instructor but as a coach, sound-board, collaborator and friend. Parents/guardians are encouraged to share their successes and challenges with each other in this safe environment, and frequently take away ideas and suggestions from each other.

During Parent Education, age appropriate topics are discussed such as development, sleeping, eating, discipline and so much more. Parenting is often a road with many bumps and there is not always one answer or one right way to approach a challenge. Members are expected to be respectful of one another and their parenting styles. The goal is to create an environment of support and encouragement for every parent/guardian in the program.

Teacher Jen

Joining a cooperative preschool with my daughter - a freshman at Dominican University - created lasting memories that we cherish, and lifelong family friendships. I believe strongly in the benefits of a parent involved, play-based preschool. Not only will your child(ren) have a great start to their education - gaining confidence and social skills, while participating in a play-based learning model - you as the parent/guardian will benefit too! I love the families I work with, and am committed to working with you to instill in your child(ren) a lifelong love of learning, while practicing the positive parenting model.

Teacher Ben

Teaching and working with young people of all ages has been my lifelong passion, and I am eager to share the joy of learning through play with your family! My own two children spent several wonderful years as students at Kent Meridian Cooperative Preschool, and both cherish the learning, friends, and memories of their time at the co-op. It is my goal to provide you and your child(ren) with the same wonderful memories my family has, and help your child(ren) continue to develop through social skills, love of exploration and learning, and problem solving through the play based learning model.