About Milwaukie
Co-op Preschool
Joining a co-op preschool is a special opportunity for you to spend quality, focused time with your child in their favorite environment—Milwaukie Co-op Preschool. Your time in the classroom is a window into your child’s world of play and learning. Enjoy your parent help days. They mean more to your child than you know!
Milwaukie Co-op Preschool operates under the direction of a professional preschool teacher. In 2003, our teacher won the National Teaching Award from Parent Co-op Preschools International (PCPI). The preschool occupies three large and bright classrooms in the Presbyterian Church located on Lake Road in Milwaukie.
Nurturing the Capacity for Wonder
Milwaukie Preschool is not academically structured. Student creativity, social skills, and problem solving abilities are promoted through abundant learning experiences including; art projects, outdoor play, story time and field trips. The preschool is structured so that the child makes his/her own choice from a wide array of educational offerings.
Classes offered are for children 3 years of age and 4 to 5 years of age. The Junior Class (3-year-olds) is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 am to 11:30 am. The Senior class (4- to 5-year-olds) is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15 am to 11:45 am. All children must be of age on or before September 1st of the current school year, and they must be fully potty trained as we do not have a changing station.
Typical School Day
A typical preschool day would be as follows. This varies between the Junior and Senior classes.
First Hour. Free play. Choose between fine motor skills area: puzzles, bean table, etc.; crafts area: teacher project, painting and play dough, etc.; and large motor skills area: indoor play structure, large blocks, kitchen and dress up, etc.
Next Half Hour. Clean up and story time. This includes calendar, color, and shape of month for the Senior Class.
Next half hour. Wash up and snack time.
Last half hour. Outside playtime and then sharing time and 'library time' taking home a book for the weekend.
Throughout the school year the children will go on field trips to such places as a pumpkin patch, a library, a farm, the Milwaukie Post Office and other fun places.
Parent Responsibilities
Parents help the school thrive by participating in many ways, from attending school celebrations to assisting in the classroom and even serving on the Board of Directors.
Parent helper days are scheduled approximately 2 to 3 times a month. There are always two parent helpers in addition to the teacher in each class day. (It’s very simple and lots of fun). Parents who rotate as classroom assistants, increase the opportunities for special attention to each child's needs, interests and talents.
Attendance is also required at three General Meetings (some business, mostly social and educational). Other basic responsibilities include; policy making, committee work, fundraising, and facility maintenance.
If there are any questions regarding the above information, please feel free to contact the preschool. Tours of the preschool are also offered.
