Frequently Asked Questions
These are questions that we are often asked. Please feel free to call or stop by Alpha-Bet any time with questions as well.
What is a cooperative?
A cooperative preschool is owned and/or operated by a group of parents and staffed with individuals who have experience in early childhood education and/or development. The cooperative model recognizes that parents are a child’s primary educator, so parents work on a rotating basis in their child’s classroom as assistants.
How often do I “co-op”?
Depending on the class, we estimate that a parent co-ops no less than 2 times a month and no more than 4 times a month on pre-scheduled / pre-selected days. In the case of families with multiples (twins or triplets), the co-op commitment will vary. On days that you are the primary co-oping parent, you also supply an appropriate healthy snack for the students.
How can I trust these parents working with my child?
Just like our teachers, all co-oping parents must submit to a Criminal Background Check and a Sex Offender Registry Check. In addition, no child is ever left alone with a single individual for any length of time. Alpha-Bet encourages new parents and students of the school to participate in our play dates over the summer. These play dates are held on the Alpha-Bet playground and parents and students attend together. This is a great opportunity to meet other parents and students to feel more comfortable prior to the beginning of the school year.
What type of curriculum do you use?
We have adapted a curriculum at Alpha-Bet that reflects the theories of an emergent curriculum. Topics of study are captured from the interests of the children, the teachers, the calendar (monthly themes - holidays, seasons, etc) and through the community and current events surrounding the preschoolers' current world.
Team planning is an essential component of the emergent curriculum. Teachers work together to formulate hypotheses about the possible directions of a project, and the materials needed. They also work closely with the parents and community for their support and involvement in these projects.
What can I bring for a snack?
We encourage our parents to bring two healthy choices for snack and a healthy drink such as milk, 100% fruit juice or water. We are a “Nut Aware” facility, which means we cannot serve any foods that are made with, or may have come into contact with, tree nuts or peanuts. Please see our Healthy Snack Ideas in Parents Corner for ideas!
Can I bring my younger child(ren) on my co-op day?
Due to our licensing, we can only accommodate the children that are enrolled. Many families do work out a babysitting “trade” and will take care of each other’s younger children when it is their co-oping day.
What happens if I (or my child) is sick on my co-oping day?
All parents are provided with the contact information for the school and the other parents enrolled in your child’s class. As soon as you realize you are not able to co-op, please reach out to other parents to find another parent that can co-op for you on your assigned day. Also, please let the Director know of the change.
What is a cooperative?
A cooperative preschool is owned and/or operated by a group of parents and staffed with individuals who have experience in early childhood education and/or development. The cooperative model recognizes that parents are a child’s primary educator, so parents work on a rotating basis in their child’s classroom as assistants.
How often do I “co-op”?
Depending on the class, we estimate that a parent co-ops no less than 2 times a month and no more than 4 times a month on pre-scheduled / pre-selected days. In the case of families with multiples (twins or triplets), the co-op commitment will vary. On days that you are the primary co-oping parent, you also supply an appropriate healthy snack for the students.
How can I trust these parents working with my child?
Just like our teachers, all co-oping parents must submit to a Criminal Background Check and a Sex Offender Registry Check. In addition, no child is ever left alone with a single individual for any length of time. Alpha-Bet encourages new parents and students of the school to participate in our play dates over the summer. These play dates are held on the Alpha-Bet playground and parents and students attend together. This is a great opportunity to meet other parents and students to feel more comfortable prior to the beginning of the school year.
What type of curriculum do you use?
We have adapted a curriculum at Alpha-Bet that reflects the theories of an emergent curriculum. Topics of study are captured from the interests of the children, the teachers, the calendar (monthly themes - holidays, seasons, etc) and through the community and current events surrounding the preschoolers' current world.
Team planning is an essential component of the emergent curriculum. Teachers work together to formulate hypotheses about the possible directions of a project, and the materials needed. They also work closely with the parents and community for their support and involvement in these projects.
What can I bring for a snack?
We encourage our parents to bring two healthy choices for snack and a healthy drink such as milk, 100% fruit juice or water. We are a “Nut Aware” facility, which means we cannot serve any foods that are made with, or may have come into contact with, tree nuts or peanuts. Please see our Healthy Snack Ideas in Parents Corner for ideas!
Can I bring my younger child(ren) on my co-op day?
Due to our licensing, we can only accommodate the children that are enrolled. Many families do work out a babysitting “trade” and will take care of each other’s younger children when it is their co-oping day.
What happens if I (or my child) is sick on my co-oping day?
All parents are provided with the contact information for the school and the other parents enrolled in your child’s class. As soon as you realize you are not able to co-op, please reach out to other parents to find another parent that can co-op for you on your assigned day. Also, please let the Director know of the change.