PreK/Fours Classes
"The move to kindergarten was a breeze after our time at Co-op! My son was so well prepared--and so was I even though I miss the nurturing I got at Co-op ..."
Fours classes are for children who turn four but are not yet five as of August 31st.
PreK classes meet 4 afternoons each week:
One session with their adult, the other sessions on their own
Children's Program
Students in this class are preparing for Kindergarten in so many ways. They continue to learn through hands-on play, but new opportunities for pre-academics are added to preschool:
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Literacy: writing center for dictating stories, traveling books that go home for dictated installments, opportunities for identifying and writing words
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Science: experiments that challenge predicting, comparing, and problem-solving
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Math: calendar, charting, math processes in stories, songs, and games
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Fine motor: Expanded art projects, free creation with varied materials, opportunities to write
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Social studies: Expanded curriculum themes
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Rich curriculum: The high adult to child ratio allows for more curriculum activities and options
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Because social-emotional readiness still tops the list of requirements of Kindergarten teachers, our classes focus on:
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Extended circle times: children practice listening in a group and regulating their own bodies
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Facilitated problem solving: adults are ready to guide children to their own solutions
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Empathy: Second Step curriculum to teach children to read social situations
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Self-regulation: learning to wait, follow teacher directed instruction, handle frustration
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Friendships: ways to engage friends in play, appropriate ways to say "no"
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All this and the kids think they are just playing!
The Daily Routine
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A daily routine at preschool includes:
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Large motor time depends on location: We get our wiggles out and play cooperative games either outdoors or in our gym. We go for walks around the neighborhood. We explore and learn about nature outside in local parks
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Opening circle: Teacher directed instruction around curriculum themes, outlining choices for the day, weather, calendar, joke of the day
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Choice time through many Learning Centers: Kids play, explore, experiment, pretend, and create. Kids are often negotiating play/projects in small groups, and working on skills of inclusion and respecting ideas of others. We do science experiments, examine specimins from the Burke Museum, go on field trips that relate to curriculum, make books at the "Writing Center", etc. Special projects build from day to day.
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Clean-up: Kids have often engaged in "super play", where toys/materials get mixed together and need to go back in place. Special creations can be saved and worked on for more than one day. Kids are learning to respect and care for their school as well as for each other.
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Story time: We read stories the kids have written, show chapters added in our "traveling books", and read a story relating to the current curriculum. Kids are developing listening skills, practicing pre-academic tasks, predicting outcomes and discussing social themes, and much more.
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Snack: We share a healthy snack served family style so we practice conversation skills and social manners. Sometimes children make snack relating to the theme.
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Music/movement: Singing, dancing, rhythm, and tempo, learning to share space while using Large Muscles.
Education & Support for Parents and Parenting Partners
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One adult per family is automatically enrolled as a South Seattle College student.
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The year befoe kindergarten brings with it lots of parent concerns: will my child be ready? Why are they so bossy? Will they ever be able to sit still?
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You will find information and support from Parenting Educators who are in class each week and available during preschool, individually and in group sessions.
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Kindergarten teachers welcome Co-op kids who are full of curiousity, skilled at being a good friend, excited about and READY to learn!
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You can build your long-term village by connecting with other parents, grandparents, and caregivers.
Adult Involvement
As a member of this co-op, your commitment is:
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Attend class one day each week, working alongside the children's teacher to help guide the children. You choose which day you come with your child and is your "work day"
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If you cannot come in due to illness, etc. you ask another parent to trade with you.​
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Provide a healthy snack on a rotating basis
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Attend a monthly evening Class Meeting to learn about guidance and discipline to use at home and at school ... and have an adult night out together!
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Dates are chosen by the class at the beginning of the school year--example: First Tuesday of each month 7-9pm​
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Choose and hold a preschool job that fits your interest, skill, and time (i.e. Board Treasurer, Class Secretary, Play-Dough Maker, Librarian)
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Choose one quarterly parent education seminar from a variety of topics such as: sleep, sibling relationships, guidance and discipline, raising an only child, potty training, picky eating, anti-bias parenting, and many more!
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Because this is a family program, other adults--grandparents, nannies, aunties, etc.--are welcome to attend and help fulfill these commitments.
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We teach you ways to interact with the kids using our "positive discipline" philosophy -- tips that help at home, too!
Interested in Registration?
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First, visit our Preschool Class List page to see which location you prefer based on days, times, and proximity.
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Next, you can register easily online by visiting our Enrollment page -- all the information and forms are available there!
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More questions or concerns? We are happy to talk with you personally.
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Phone -- (206) 773 8066
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Fees
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Registration Fee -- $85
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Tuition assistance is available through our Mary E. Phillips Scholarship Fund and Wendi Hirshberg Memorial Fund, administered through our Parent Advisory Council. Applications are due quarterly to your parenting educator; more information available here.
Tuition range for fours/PreK classes: $259-$310/month (dependent on location).