Frequently Asked Questions
What days do children attend?
We are open Monday through Friday, with a school year running from September through June. Families choose both how many days and which days they want their child to attend, subject to room capacity and available open spaces/days. Most three-year-olds attend three days and most four-year-olds attend three or four days. Our four-year-olds get preference in scheduling and may enroll for up to four days. Regardless of the number of days a child is enrolled, each child’s parent helps in the classroom once a week.
What are your hours?
Our school day runs from 9:05 a.m. until 1 p.m. During this time, children experience a wide variety of activity choices, participate in group time, eat snack and lunch, and spend an hour playing outside. Our group time includes music and movement, stories, and active discussion. Outside, children can ride tricycles, crawl around our play structure, wave streamers, blow bubbles, or play in the sandbox. The four-hour time span allows us to do more in-depth projects such as making applesauce: the children bring in apples, peel and chop them, mash them through a strainer once they are cooked, and enjoy applesauce the same day during lunch.
Does my child need to be out of diapers?
No. We do not require children to be independent potty users at any age. All levels of “readiness” are accepted. We check and change any soiled diapers regularly.
How much does it cost to send my child/children to SWPCC?
See the Tuition and Fees page. The tuition rate for the following academic year is voted on by the membership at the spring general meeting.
What are the parent responsibilities?
Parents work once a week in the classroom, have a co-op job, attend five evening meetings during the year, participate in fundraising activities, and put in two hours at work parties at the beginning and end of the school year.
Is a co-op like a preschool, only “taught” by the member’s parents?
Each room is run by professional teachers. (Read our Teacher Bios.) The parents on shift assist the teachers with activities in the room, set-up in the morning, and clean-up at the end of the day.
How often do parents help in the classroom?
Once a week.
Our school has been bringing together families for over 50 years and we believe that having each family commit to being in the classroom once a week is fundamental to our success in enriching both children and parents. Several benefits result from being in the classroom once a week. First, our teachers develop a true partnership with parents. Second, our children develop relationships with the parents they play with each week. Third, our parents develop friendships and have the opportunity to observe various approaches the teachers and other parents use. Fourth, it allows for our high adult-to-child ratio and the ability to offer activities we would not be able to do otherwise. Fifth, several dads help out in the classroom weekly, bimonthly, or occasionally. Obviously, children feel special when their parent stays to play and they get to arrive early to be the teacher’s special helper getting the classroom ready for the day. We really believe we are providing our children with the best preschool experience possible and weekly time in the classroom is a big part of that success.
What if I send more than one child to co-op? Do parents work one shift day for each child attending?
No. Regardless of the number of children you have at co-op, your family will only work one shift day each week. Because we offer one of Portland’s only programs for young toddlers (12-24 months), our school is particularly well suited to families with several young children. For families with multiple children attending co-op, parents alternate rooms each week. So, for instance, if you have a toddler and a preschooler, your shift day will be in the Toddler Room one week, then in the Preschool Room the next week.
What is the adult-to-child ratio in the classroom?
The Preschool class has a ratio of at least one to four. Our class size is limited to 16 children and each day we have a teacher and three parent helpers.
The Young Toddler and Toddler rooms have a teacher/student ratio of at least one to three. Most children attend two or three days a week.
We believe that for a large group of children to have a positive preschool experience, they need to have sufficient adult guidance. Because of our high ratio we offer activities that require more supervision such as making pretzels, examining insects, and using hotplates to melt crayons on tin foil. It also allows us to intervene in any conflicts before they escalate, and we are able to take the time to help the children think of and execute solutions to problems on their own whenever possible. Our parent helpers do not sit on the sidelines - they sit on the floor, at the texture table, or wherever the children are engaged.
Can my child enroll if she/he turned three after September first?
Our preschool is a two-year mixed age class of three- and four-year-olds. We follow the Portland Public Schools cut-off. Children who turn three by September 1 may enroll as first year preschoolers; children who turn four by September 1 are second year preschoolers. We have separate Young Toddler (one by September 1) and Toddler (two by September 1) classrooms with lower teacher/parent-to-child ratios (3:7 for young toddlers and 3:9 for toddlers).
The fact that we have three different classrooms benefits our preschool in several ways. Many families have children in our school for six or more continuous years so our school is filled with families who have spent years together and who are very familiar with the procedures and educational philosophy. This builds a sense of community among families helps the school run efficiently. The multi-age community provides rich experiences for all age groups. For example, during outside time when the different classes overlap it is precious to see the preschoolers giving toddlers a ride in a wagon or a push on the tire swing.
I see that you have “Eco-Healthy Childcare” certification. What does that mean?
We meet the standards set by the Children’s Environmental Health Network, www.cehn.org, for a childcare provider that is friendly to the environment and healthy for children. Some of our practices include: using only non-toxic art supplies; eliminating all smoking, engine idling, pesticides, aerosol sprays, and scented air fresheners; avoiding the use of chemical cleansers; ensuring no exposure to lead or mercury; and using organic gardening practices in our community garden plot.
How do meals work?
Each child brings a drink, snack, and lunch from home. The snacks and lunches are set out by parent helpers and children and all eat together at tables. The children wash their hands before meals and put their own containers away after eating.
What is your allergy policy?
SWPCC’s goal is to keep our children as safe as possible and to make our teachers, parents, and students aware of food-allergic children’s allergies and their consequences. Our policy is designed to reduce the chance of severe allergic reactions of children and adults with known food allergies while at co-op.
We have a comprehensive allergy policy that includes teacher, parent, and child education regarding allergies, symptoms, and emergency responses. We do not allow food sharing during co-op hours between children, teachers, or shift workers. We thoroughly clean all surfaces where food is prepared and/or consumed prior to and after use. We wash children’s hands before eating, and wipe hands and faces after meals. We also require that parents of children with food allergies complete an “Allergy Action Plan,” which specifies symptoms of, and appropriate actions for, specific allergic reactions.
What are your fundraising requirements?
Each year, the school's Board sets a general fundraising target, and that amount is divided equally between all co-op families. Fundraising goals can be achieved through several fun and easy fundraising events and ongoing opportunities throughout the year, and many are based on things members would ordinarily spend money on: Chinook Books, scrip (prepaid gift cards to grocery and big-box stores), dining nights at neighborhood restaurants, and holiday wreath sales. We also hold an annual Parents' Night Out auction. See the Family Commitment page for more detail.
What are the school's Immunization rates?
2016-17 Immunization Report
We are open Monday through Friday, with a school year running from September through June. Families choose both how many days and which days they want their child to attend, subject to room capacity and available open spaces/days. Most three-year-olds attend three days and most four-year-olds attend three or four days. Our four-year-olds get preference in scheduling and may enroll for up to four days. Regardless of the number of days a child is enrolled, each child’s parent helps in the classroom once a week.
What are your hours?
Our school day runs from 9:05 a.m. until 1 p.m. During this time, children experience a wide variety of activity choices, participate in group time, eat snack and lunch, and spend an hour playing outside. Our group time includes music and movement, stories, and active discussion. Outside, children can ride tricycles, crawl around our play structure, wave streamers, blow bubbles, or play in the sandbox. The four-hour time span allows us to do more in-depth projects such as making applesauce: the children bring in apples, peel and chop them, mash them through a strainer once they are cooked, and enjoy applesauce the same day during lunch.
Does my child need to be out of diapers?
No. We do not require children to be independent potty users at any age. All levels of “readiness” are accepted. We check and change any soiled diapers regularly.
How much does it cost to send my child/children to SWPCC?
See the Tuition and Fees page. The tuition rate for the following academic year is voted on by the membership at the spring general meeting.
What are the parent responsibilities?
Parents work once a week in the classroom, have a co-op job, attend five evening meetings during the year, participate in fundraising activities, and put in two hours at work parties at the beginning and end of the school year.
Is a co-op like a preschool, only “taught” by the member’s parents?
Each room is run by professional teachers. (Read our Teacher Bios.) The parents on shift assist the teachers with activities in the room, set-up in the morning, and clean-up at the end of the day.
How often do parents help in the classroom?
Once a week.
Our school has been bringing together families for over 50 years and we believe that having each family commit to being in the classroom once a week is fundamental to our success in enriching both children and parents. Several benefits result from being in the classroom once a week. First, our teachers develop a true partnership with parents. Second, our children develop relationships with the parents they play with each week. Third, our parents develop friendships and have the opportunity to observe various approaches the teachers and other parents use. Fourth, it allows for our high adult-to-child ratio and the ability to offer activities we would not be able to do otherwise. Fifth, several dads help out in the classroom weekly, bimonthly, or occasionally. Obviously, children feel special when their parent stays to play and they get to arrive early to be the teacher’s special helper getting the classroom ready for the day. We really believe we are providing our children with the best preschool experience possible and weekly time in the classroom is a big part of that success.
What if I send more than one child to co-op? Do parents work one shift day for each child attending?
No. Regardless of the number of children you have at co-op, your family will only work one shift day each week. Because we offer one of Portland’s only programs for young toddlers (12-24 months), our school is particularly well suited to families with several young children. For families with multiple children attending co-op, parents alternate rooms each week. So, for instance, if you have a toddler and a preschooler, your shift day will be in the Toddler Room one week, then in the Preschool Room the next week.
What is the adult-to-child ratio in the classroom?
The Preschool class has a ratio of at least one to four. Our class size is limited to 16 children and each day we have a teacher and three parent helpers.
The Young Toddler and Toddler rooms have a teacher/student ratio of at least one to three. Most children attend two or three days a week.
We believe that for a large group of children to have a positive preschool experience, they need to have sufficient adult guidance. Because of our high ratio we offer activities that require more supervision such as making pretzels, examining insects, and using hotplates to melt crayons on tin foil. It also allows us to intervene in any conflicts before they escalate, and we are able to take the time to help the children think of and execute solutions to problems on their own whenever possible. Our parent helpers do not sit on the sidelines - they sit on the floor, at the texture table, or wherever the children are engaged.
Can my child enroll if she/he turned three after September first?
Our preschool is a two-year mixed age class of three- and four-year-olds. We follow the Portland Public Schools cut-off. Children who turn three by September 1 may enroll as first year preschoolers; children who turn four by September 1 are second year preschoolers. We have separate Young Toddler (one by September 1) and Toddler (two by September 1) classrooms with lower teacher/parent-to-child ratios (3:7 for young toddlers and 3:9 for toddlers).
The fact that we have three different classrooms benefits our preschool in several ways. Many families have children in our school for six or more continuous years so our school is filled with families who have spent years together and who are very familiar with the procedures and educational philosophy. This builds a sense of community among families helps the school run efficiently. The multi-age community provides rich experiences for all age groups. For example, during outside time when the different classes overlap it is precious to see the preschoolers giving toddlers a ride in a wagon or a push on the tire swing.
I see that you have “Eco-Healthy Childcare” certification. What does that mean?
We meet the standards set by the Children’s Environmental Health Network, www.cehn.org, for a childcare provider that is friendly to the environment and healthy for children. Some of our practices include: using only non-toxic art supplies; eliminating all smoking, engine idling, pesticides, aerosol sprays, and scented air fresheners; avoiding the use of chemical cleansers; ensuring no exposure to lead or mercury; and using organic gardening practices in our community garden plot.
How do meals work?
Each child brings a drink, snack, and lunch from home. The snacks and lunches are set out by parent helpers and children and all eat together at tables. The children wash their hands before meals and put their own containers away after eating.
What is your allergy policy?
SWPCC’s goal is to keep our children as safe as possible and to make our teachers, parents, and students aware of food-allergic children’s allergies and their consequences. Our policy is designed to reduce the chance of severe allergic reactions of children and adults with known food allergies while at co-op.
We have a comprehensive allergy policy that includes teacher, parent, and child education regarding allergies, symptoms, and emergency responses. We do not allow food sharing during co-op hours between children, teachers, or shift workers. We thoroughly clean all surfaces where food is prepared and/or consumed prior to and after use. We wash children’s hands before eating, and wipe hands and faces after meals. We also require that parents of children with food allergies complete an “Allergy Action Plan,” which specifies symptoms of, and appropriate actions for, specific allergic reactions.
What are your fundraising requirements?
Each year, the school's Board sets a general fundraising target, and that amount is divided equally between all co-op families. Fundraising goals can be achieved through several fun and easy fundraising events and ongoing opportunities throughout the year, and many are based on things members would ordinarily spend money on: Chinook Books, scrip (prepaid gift cards to grocery and big-box stores), dining nights at neighborhood restaurants, and holiday wreath sales. We also hold an annual Parents' Night Out auction. See the Family Commitment page for more detail.
What are the school's Immunization rates?
2016-17 Immunization Report