A Cooperative Learning Approach


​At Sunrise Preschool, education is a collaborative process where both the children and their parents benefit from our cooperative learning environment. Each class has an early childhood education teacher, a full-time teachers aide, and a participating parent.  We believe that parent participation creates a natural transition from home to school for our preschoolers.  

A co-op preschool, short for cooperative preschool, is a unique educational setting where parents have the opportunity to actively participate in their child’s early learning process.  Active parental involvement tends to make co-ops more affordable ​than traditional preschools, making quality early education more accessible. A co-op's collaborative approach also fosters a tight-knit community spirit, encouraging strong bonds between families and staff.

Sunrise provides 3 to 5 year-old children with a structured introductory school experience. Our program is comprised of two class sessions: one for 3 to 4 year old children ("3's Class") and the other for 4 to 5 year old children ("Pre-K Class"). Routines and planned activities are emphasized within a nurturing and caring environment. A balance between freedom and guidance, group and individual activity, active and inactive experiences is the goal of the teachers for the daily schedule. Flexibility within the schedule is a must as the behavior and attitudes of the children are considered each day.

Typically, each day includes arrival time, various small room activities, a guided craft or science activity, clean up, circle time, physical activity, restroom break, nutritious snack, quiet time, storytime, student sharing, outdoor playtime, and final dismissal. Our facilities include the interactive classroom, a large activity room for movement and an outdoor play area when weather and time permits. The children are encouraged to learn more about their world through interaction with special visitors, and parents are encouraged to share their special skills and gifts with the class. One to two field trips are scheduled throughout the year which provide interesting and engaging ways to experience the world around us. Most field trips and excursions are included with the monthly tuition. We celebrate birthdays and major holidays in the classroom.

The Pre-K class includes preparation for kindergarten basics. Our curriculum is based on the ‘Letter People Program’ which focuses on promoting phonological awareness and building alphabet skills.

How do parents participate?

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Prior to each month, the volunteer Parent Coordinator for each class reaches out to all families to coordinate the upcoming parent volunteer schedule. Parents commit to volunteering once or twice a month and continue to rotate on a schedule throughout the school year.  On occasion, parents offer to swap volunteer days with each other and/or cover for each other if unforeseen circumstances arise.  We do our best to accommodate work schedules and family obligations.  Please note that volunteers may not bring in other children with the exception of "babies in arms". 

The parent volunteer is actively involved in the classroom activities for that day and also provides the daily nutritional snack for the whole class. Throughout the school year, parents also help to coordinate and plan classroom parties and school events. Involvement in classroom field trips & school fundraising initiatives is encouraged. All parents are asked to help with a classroom cleanup at the conclusion of the school year.

Our preschool is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which includes six to eight board member positions held by parents.  Our teacher and teacher's aide actively participate in board meetings. Those parents and caregivers who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors each year are elected in the spring by the previous board and serve a one year term beginning in June.