Eastside Co-op Membership Requirements

What makes cooperative preschools unique is family involvement. Our structure is built on family participation including parent helping in the classroom and holding a job within the preschool. As a non-profit organization, each family plays a role in the school running smoothly and safely. Consider yourself an active participant in your child's education.

PARENT HELPING: Parent help in your child's classroom approximately 7 times a quarter (about every other week). Workloads are reduced for families with more than one child enrolled or for families with special needs (maternity leave, etc.).

EARN 9 CREDITS: One or both parents, collectively, must earn 9 parent education credits during the academic year. Families are provided lots of fun, informative opportunities to earn their credits, usually about once a month. Credits are earned for attend class meetings, parent education forums, orientations, board meetings and special events, such as school-wide socials. Parent education credits also can be earned by submitting reviews of articles discussing early childhood education.

ATTEND 4 CLASS MEETINGS: These planning meetings are the vital hands-on work of deciding how your child's class operates throughout the year. They are usually scheduled for early September (prior to school starting), November, January and April. Attending these 4 meetings will earn you 4 of your required 9 parent education credits.

ATTEND NEW PARENT HELPER ORIENTATION: This class teaches parents, grandparents or anyone else who may be parent helping in your child's classroom what is expected. This training is required for new families and earns you 1 of your required 9 parent education credits. Usually scheduled for late August.

PRESCHOOL JOB: Each family participates in the business operations of the preschool. Jobs range from small tasks, such as field trip coordinator, to more time-consuming Board jobs.

COMPLETE 1 WEEKEND CLEANING: Each family is required to complete a weekend classroom cleaning. It usually takes 3-4 hours to clean the classroom. Families sign up for their weekend at the first class meeting. Families can buy out of their cleaning responsibility for $60 (covers cost of paid cleaner). Board members are exempt from weekend cleaning duties.

PARTICIPATE IN 1 WORK PARTY: Work parties are scheduled prior to the start of school, in the spring prior to our Open House Registration and at the end of the year. The work parties ensure the grounds are safe for our children.

PARTICIPATE IN REQUIRED FUND-RAISERS: Fund-raising is an essential component to funding our children's education. Families can buy out of their fund-raising duties for $200 per year.