Our Philosophy

We are a cooperative of young children and families who practice community-based childcare. We value child-led, play-based learning experiences for our children, and we value the creativity and spontaneity of each child. We strive to immerse our children in an environment that is rich with opportunities for play, rich with opportunities for them to explore their unique interests and to practice developing skills. We support the children in open-ended, self-directed play and art activities that allow them to progress at their own rate, according to their own style. We value both teaching and learning from our preschoolers, and we believe that learning is a process not a product.

We include children and parents with a wide range of different temperaments, learning styles, and ways of communicating, and we believe that this diversity is a strength of our community. We believe in the supportive, transformative power of community-building, and we support each other during both the joyful and the challenging times in young family life. We share meals when a new baby is born, we offer to help when someone in the community is sick, we celebrate the accomplishments and good fortunes of each family as a part of our larger co-op family.

We guide our teacher in setting curriculum goals, and she develops a balance of learning and free play. We want to lead our children gently, empathetically, intuitively, and patiently. We want to foster respect for our children as individuals, while also emphasizing grace and courtesy as they learn about social practices and structures. We are working to create a culture that honors nature, community, and a healthy childhood.