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Co-op Parent Participation
What is Parent Participation and Will It Work For Me?
As you will have read on our home page, parent participation preschools operate through a co-operative that sees parents assist the teacher in the classroom on scheduled sharing days, and also take on a job within the school. Parents also participate in fundraising.
When you join a Cooperative Preschool, you have made the decision to be a part of a rewarding family experience. While your children learn through play and make new friendships, you become a part of a support system of parents who all share a common goal. It is also a learning experience for the parents. Each month, a speaker gives a presentation that provides parents with the tools to help their children through the various stages of learning and development.
For today’s busy families, a chief concern may be whether your schedule will allow you to participate in our school. We are able to accommodate parents who work during the day through a number of flexible options, including opt-out provisions. Many of our families have two working parents or one single working parent and are still able to join in parent participation. We also have maternity provisions for parents with newborns, and many families trade babysitting days for younger siblings on their sharing days. We strive to make co-op preschool work for everybody.
Your Responsibilities to the Preschool include:
- assisting in the classroom on a pre-arranged rotational basis
- attending orientation sessions with other parents and ECE
- attending monthly meetings of preschool membership for parent education session, preschool business and social
- paying a registration fee and reasonable monthly tuition
- participating in fundraising
- sharing the tasks of the preschool such as mixing paint and making playdough, ensuring equipment upkeep, or holding an executive position.
There is a preschool job to meet every member's schedule and interest!
Fundraising
In order to keep our program affordable, and so we can buy new toys and school supplies for the children, all parents help with fundraising. Parents can choose to write a cheque for their family’s portion of the year’s fundraising goal, however participation is encouraged since the fundraisers are also fun social events.
Those who chose to participate are required to do two major fundraisers a term, and are offered the chance to help out with some smaller optional fundraisers as well.
Some of the fundraisers that we have been successful for us in the past include:
Walk-a-thon
Each fall our preschoolers and their families collect pledges from the community for a one-kilometre walk, which most recently was held at the chip trail at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.
Christmas Auction
Each year, preschool families contribute or solicit donations from the community for our Silent & Grande Auction, hosted by a local establishment. The auction is one of our largest fundraisers and offers parents, family and friends a relaxing night out and the chance to do last minute Christmas shopping.
Gift baskets raffle for Valentine's Day
Preschool families contribute items to a raffle basket and then sell tickets for the baskets. Last year we took turns selling tickets at CanWest Mall, which not only offered an opportunity to raise money, but also a chance to promote the school.
Flower baskets for Mother's Day
For the past two years, we have purchased huge, beautiful hanging baskets from Lynne’s Little Elf Garden Centre in Langford which we sell at a profit.
Making Tomorrow Conference
The Vancouver Island Cooperative Preschool Association in Cooperation with the School of Child and Youth Care and the University of Victoria host the annual Making Tomorrow Conference in May. The conference is a full day of workshops for Parents and Educators of Young Children. Lunches are provided as part of the full day enrollment. Each year the cooperative preschools are given the opportunity to supply lunches, snacks or beverages as a fundraiser.
Other fundraisers include:
- Purdy's and Rogers Chocolates sales at Christmas and Easter
- Scholastic Book Club
- Hillside Mall Christmas Shopping Night
- Mabel’s Labels
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© Goldstream Co-operative Preschool 2005. Gordon United Hall, 935 Goldstream Ave., Victoria, B.C. V9B 2Y2
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