A Parent "Co-op" is a program that has three elements:
1. a developmentally appropriate learning environment for children
2. a non-profit organization governed by the parents
3. a parent education course offered for non-graded credits through a community college
Enrolling your child in the Mead Co-op Preschool means that you are also enrolled in a "Parent Education" Class through the Community Colleges of Spokane at a reduced credit cost (see our rate schedule). This is a non-graded 3 or 4 credit course. The requirements of the class are to attend one Business Meeting/Parent Ed Seminar per month (6:30-8:30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month at the Co-op) and 11 co-op workdays per Quarter (that's why we have to do make-ups if we miss a work day or meeting). This allows the Community Colleges of Spokane, through Washington State higher education vocational funds, to pay a large part of our facilitator/teacher's salary.
As well as helping to pay our facilitator/teacher's monthly salary, the college also sponsors speakers every year and works with the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) to lobby for legislative support for family and children's education. The affiliation also allows us to purchase liability and accident insurance for each child in our classes at a reduced rate. The college has a parent ed office to provide assistance to our program and a lending library of books and videos on parenting.
At Mead Co-op Preschool, parents and children go to school together. Your time and active participation are just as important as the fees you will pay. The only way a co-op can run effectively is if everyone "chips in to help"!