Our Cooperative Model
A preschool shaped by the families who are part of it.
What it means to be a cooperative
As a Brooklyn-based cooperative preschool, we believe that strong partnerships between families and educators create a richer experience for every child. Parents play an active role in the school’s daily operations, decision-making, and classroom life, contributing their time, skills, and perspectives to help shape a warm, connected, and nurturing community.
What the cooperative makes possible
Stronger connections
Build lasting relationships with teachers, children, and fellow parents through shared experiences and active participation in school life.
More accessible tuition
By sharing responsibilities across the community, families help keep tuition more accessible.
Active involvement
Take a meaningful role in your child’s early education and gain a closer understanding of their classroom experience.
Enriched learning
The varied skills, experiences, and perspectives families bring add depth to classroom activities and the wider school community.
How families participate
Parent jobs
1
Each family gets assigned to a committee based on their skills and interests and carries out a job for that committee throughout the year. The time commitment for this parent job is approximately 15 hours over the course of the school year.
Peek into Preschool program
2
Parents visit the classroom and spend time with their children and their children’s classmates and teachers to get an inside look at the school day.
Community events
3
Families help organize school events, fundraisers, and special activities, bringing their ideas and talents to experiences that strengthen the community and enrich school life for every child.
School leadership & decision-making
4
Our Parent Board of Directors helps guide school policies and initiatives.
Need more flexibility?
Families are asked to contribute approximately 15 volunteer hours each year. We understand that this isn’t always possible, so families may instead choose our cooperative buyout option of $500 per half-day session.
Beyond the classroom
The relationships built through the cooperative extend beyond the school day. Throughout the year, families come together to celebrate, contribute, and spend time as a community.
Become part of the CHP community