What is a Cooperative Preschool?

Parents are actively engaged in their child’s education in a cooperative preschool. At Escuela Cooperativa, each family pledges to volunteer four hours a week to provide support to the teachers. They are responsible for general cleaning, sharing their expertise such as teaching English, providing lunches and walking the children to the playground. Their contribution is significant as they bring their experience and expertise to the school through their different skill sets. (If a parent is not able to commit to four hours per week, there is a small tuition of 1000 pesoes a month and four hours a month to serve on committees and the Parent Advisory Council.)

Committees

The parents are all members of the Advisory Council which meets once a month. This Council is composed of all parents, teachers and invited community members. It is led by two parent coordinators who serve as the liaison between the teachers and the other parents. These leaders are also responsible for scheduling the meetings and communicating with parents. In addition to volunteering in the classroom or paying tuition, all parents are expected to attend Advisory Council meetings and be actively engaged in its work. At Escuela, the parents join one of four committees:
  • Indoor maintenance whose responsibility is to maintain a healthy and clean environment in the classroom and bathroom. (This committee has integrated its work with that of the volunteers who bring lunch.)
  • Communications which ensures that all contact numbers are up to date and that parents are kept up to date on current activities at the school.
  • Family Activities whose primary responsibility is to plan fun events that encourage families to get to know each other. (This committee has decided to plan a family activity around keeping the playground clean.)
  • Fundraising which works with the Sayulita community and the financial managers to raise money that ensures that free tuition is sustained.

Communication

The parents are organized into eight broadcast lists on What’s App that have active chats going on at all times to keep them all well connected.

Testimonials

"Me gusta se ven felices los ninos. "
(I like the kids are happy.)
 
"Mil gracias que Linda se ve mi nina feliz! Aligual ques los demas peques. "
(Thank you that Linda is my happy girl! Like the other kids.)