FAQ
Questions that this page doesn't answer? Check the family handbook (available on our Parenting Resources page) or contact us and we'll get back to you.
Parental involvement is a key component of the co-op preschool experience. Parents typically:
Attend class one day a week as an assistant teacher
Attend a monthly evening class meeting for parent education and co-op business
Choose and hold a preschool job
Choose and attend at least one quarterly parent education seminar
Parents will also provide healthy snacks for snack time on a rotating basis.
The time commitment varies depending on the specific role and class, but it generally involves:
Working in the classroom: 2-3 hours/week
Attending monthly class meeting: 2 hours/month
Attending quarterly parent education seminar: 2 hours/quarter*
Hold and execute preschool job: variable, but typically 30-90 mins/week, depending on the job
This averages out to approximately 4 hours/week. Note that this commitment may be shared among multiple parents, caregivers, grandparents, nannies, etc.
*-Caregivers are welcome to attend more than one quarterly parent education seminar, but at least one is required.
Any trusted adult from your household circle can fulfill the obligation. This includes parents, grandparents, nannies, au pairs, etc.
Multiple adults from your household circle can share the responsibility.
Parents choose one job that best fits their time, talent, or learning interests. By participating in the co-op, you will be building skills like leadership, teamwork, budgeting, and personnel management. Examples of class jobs include:
Class chair
Play-dough maker
Class librarian
Board treasurer
PAC rep
Laundry person
Board president
Class photographer
Community builder
Multi-Day Classes (Twos, Threes, Threes/Fours, PreK)
Planned Absences (vacation, etc.)
It is very important to find a substitute if you cannot make your assigned day at the preschool, as adult coverage is needed.
Contact parents who work on opposite days to find a substitute/s who can work
Work out trades or offer to host a playdate, bake some cookies, etc.
Notify the teacher and class/parent coordinator of your pending absence and who will sub.
Unplanned Absences (illness, emergency, etc.)
If your class has an emergency sub system: Call the E-sub person.
If your class doesn't have an emergency sub system: Reach out to your class to see if anyone can sub for you.
Notify the teacher and class/parent coordinator of your pending absence and who will sub.
One-Day Classes (Infants, Movers, Toddlers, Multi-Age)
Notify the teacher and class/parent coordinator of your pending absence
If you must miss a meeting:
Notify the parent educator directly
If your preschool job stipulates that you participate in the meeting (e.g. secretary, class chair, committee chair, etc.), make sure someone can stand in for you to fulfill your obligation.
Ask a friend for handouts and key announcements
Read the meeting minutes
And make up the missed parent discussion by attending an extra parenting class, reading a parenting book or article, attending a parenting lecture, or attending the site board meeting.
It depends. Children under 6 months old may be worn in class on your classroom workday at the following preschool locations:
Alki
White Center
Lincoln Park
After 6 months of age, our Alki location offers their Multi-Age Drop-Off (MADO) class on-site. Siblings ages six months through five years will play together while their parent is working in their sibling's classroom. Learn more about MADO here.
There is an additional charge for both of these services. Reach out to inquiries@westseattlepreschools.org for more information.
Another option is to participate in our one-day Multi-Age classes, in which you may enroll more than one child and bring them all to class with you at the same time. Find out more about our Multi-Age classes here.
