What Is a Co-op Preschool?

​Cooperative preschools offer a unique place of learning for children and their caregivers! Wedgwood Cooperative Preschool follows this cooperative model to foster a supportive and engaging environment for early childhood education.

Owned and Operated by Families

​​As a cooperative, families own and operate the school. Caregivers assist the professional teacher in the classroom one day a week and each family shares in the business operation of the school. Parents are involved in various aspects of the preschool, including classroom volunteering, administrative duties, and decision-making.

​By engaging in classroom activities, parents gain firsthand experience in their child's learning journey, promote social interaction, and build lasting relationships with other families. This collaboration allows parents to play a vital role in their child's development while gaining valuable skills and insights. Wedgwood Co-op emphasizes the partnership between parents and teachers to create a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere. The preschool hosts all-school events that build community and friendships.

Taught by Professional Teachers

A developmentally appropriate curriculum is planned and carried out by the classroom teacher. Our teachers have extensive backgrounds in early childhood education and are provided with opportunities to continually expand their professional education.

In the classroom, children learn social, emotional, and intellectual skills through cooperative and creative play. Wedgwood Co-op Preschool emphasizes hands-on learning and a low student-to-teacher ratio. Anti-bias education is an important focus of our curriculum. These elements ensure individualized attention and promote social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Supported by Parent Education

​Parent educators from North Seattle College give guidance to teachers and caregivers in understanding child development principles, implementing developmentally appropriate practices, and fostering a play-based curriculum. Parent educators help caregivers build their parenting skills both in class and during the monthly parent meetings. This cooperative approach empowers parents to actively contribute to their child's education while receiving guidance from experienced educators.

North Seattle College and the Parent Advisory Council provide additional parent education through monthly lectures, and they foster the continued education of co-op teachers by providing access to professional development training on a wide variety of early education topics.

Join a Thriving Community

By embracing the cooperative model, Wedgwood Co-op Preschool creates a vibrant community where children thrive and parents actively participate in their child's early education. Many of our families have made lifelong friends through co-op.

​More information can be found on the North Seattle College Cooperative Preschool Page:​ ​How Co-op Works.