Is the Preschool associated with the St. John’s Presbyterian Church?
No we are not associated with the church, we are simply tenants. We have a wonderful working relationship with the St. John’s Presbyterian Church and have been renting the downstairs space since 1999.
How difficult is it to get into the Preschool?
In years past, we have had a physical registration process where parents lined up outside the Preschool and it was a first come, first serve registration process. We have updated our policies over the last few years.
We now have an online registration event that takes place for both Returning and New/Alumni families in March. The event opens online at a specific time, and you try to get a ticket a quickly as you are able!
We do maintain a waitlist once classes fill up, so it is important to register as soon as possible to ensure you get your desired spot.
What if the class I want to register for is full?
If the class you want to register for is full, we encourage parents to get on the waiting list for any and all classes they may want to attend. We typically have fluctuations over the Summer months and things can change during the school year as well. You can be on multiple waiting lists and will be notified as soon as you have reached the top of the list.
How involved do you have to be as a parent?
Parent involvement is something that makes our preschool unique! Parents have an assigned parent job for each student enrolled. These jobs vary in duties and time commitment but are generally 8-10 hours total during the school year. You are also asked to volunteer in your child’s classroom about 1-2 times per month. In addition, all parents are required to attend the mandatory Orientation night in September so that the community fully understands how our school is run.
I want my child to attend the Preschool, but I work full time? How can I make this work for my family?
We have had several families who work full time and still make a commitment to the Co-Op environment. There are several parent jobs that can be done during the evenings and weekends as your schedule allows. We also support extended family and caregiver involvement. You can have a grandparent, nanny, or caregiver volunteer in the classroom if you are unable to attend. Every adult who works in the classroom or helps on field trips must provide a completed background check for the state of their residence to the Registrar before volunteering.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Children in the 2s classroom are NOT required to be potty trained. If your child is in diapers, please bring diapers, wipes, and a change of clothing in their backpack each class. Helping Parents are responsible for changing diapers during class time. For every child’s safety and well-being during any diaper changes, the Helping Parent will leave the bathroom door propped open, use gloves, and dispose of diapers in a plastic bag. These procedures are posted above the changing table.
If your child is transitioning from diapers to underwear, we recommend using Pull-ups during class. Teachers and Helping Parents will make every effort to encourage your child and offer potty breaks, but accidents happen. We ask that you pack additional clothing and a Pull-up in your child’s backpack and let your teacher know if your child is in this transition period.
If you have any specific concerns or requests, please speak with your teacher directly.
Children in the 3s classes should be potty trained or transitioning by the beginning of school.
If your child is transitioning and wearing Pull-ups, please notify your teacher.
Children in these classes will be escorted to the bathroom with an adult but need to be independent when it comes to cleaning themselves.
Three accidents in one month requiring Pull-up or clothing changes may result in the child needing to stay home from school for two weeks to work on potty training before returning to school. Tuition will not be reimbursed for time spent potty training at home.
Children in the 4s classes are required to be potty trained and should be completely independent when visiting the bathroom.
After the first month of school, children will be visiting the bathroom on their own and should be independent in cleaning themselves; pulling up and down their pants, tights, and/or skirts; fastening zippers, snaps, and buttons; and working with belts. Please dress your child appropriately to make it easier for them.
What is your Immunization Policy?
The Co-Op has made a change effective for the 2019-2020 school year. We will no longer accept personal, religious or philosophical exemptions. Only medical exemptions will be allowed as determined and authorized by the signature of a certified MD, ND, DO, ARNP or PA licensed under Title 18 RCW.
Parents will be required to provide up to date immunization records no later than Orientation Night (Sept). These will need to be printed from a trusted online database such as MyIR (for WA State Immunization records) or through your clinic or hospital’s online system. Parents can also request a copy of their child’s immunization records directly from their child’s doctor. Handwritten immunization records will no longer be accepted. If you have additional questions regarding this, please contact our Registrar at registar@cwcoop.org
What was the reason for the change to the Immunization Policy?
Many factors came into play when making this policy change, but the main emphasis was the safety of our students, parents, and how our preschool functions differently than other programs. We rely solely on parent involvement to complete parent jobs and volunteer in the classroom on a regular basis. Having students and parents absent from school due to an outbreak leads to undue stress on other families and impacts the ability of our school to run properly. We also take into account pregnant mothers who volunteer in our classrooms and siblings who are in our building during drop off and pick up that may be compromised if an outbreak has occurred.