FAQs
What is co-op?
A cooperative preschool is a partnership between families and teachers. In addition to enrolling their child, parents actively participate in the classroom and help support the school through weekly classroom help and a school job or board role (families in the Infant class are not required to hold a job, but may volunteer if they choose). This shared involvement builds strong relationships, creates a close-knit community, and helps keep tuition costs more affordable while offering a high-quality early learning experience.
Is co-op right for my family?
Co-op is a great fit for families who want to be involved in their child’s early learning and who value community, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Parents work alongside teachers, get to know their child’s classroom experience firsthand, and build meaningful connections with other families. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to give co-op a try—we work with families to find classroom roles and school jobs that fit different schedules and interests. That said, if what you are looking for is primarily drop-off care with minimal parent involvement, a cooperative preschool may not be the best fit.
Why should I choose a co-op preschool?
Preschools are often drop-off programs just for the children. At QACP, we involve the whole family. Parents get to know each other and we often meet to talk about challenges in parenting. Kids often meet outside school at playdates and field trips. Long-lasting friendships are built within the neighborhood.
For whom is this school?
We want to be a choice for every parent and caregiver. Although we are located in central Queen Anne, we often welcome families from surrounding areas. Please inquire if you need a stipend for financial assistance.
Is my child ready for preschool?
We have classes for different ages and accommodate all stages of development, including, for example, changing tables for children who are not potty trained yet. Preschool is often the first time children socialize with same-aged peers.
Am I (as a caregiver) ready for preschool?
Preschool is often your first connection with a school as well! To help parents and other caregivers, every class has a class coordinator and professional teacher who provides a curriculum for the children. We also cooperate with Seattle Central College to provide parent education. Caregivers of a class meet regularly – sometimes in person and sometimes virtually – and talk about what went well and where we can improve.
What does school involvement look like?
Parents will always be in the classroom for the youngest classes (Infants and Toddlers). For the older kids, we take turns and each parent does one classroom day per week. Involvement with the school usually starts small, for example, by helping out in the classroom or planning field trips. Parents who stay for many years and have multiple children in the school will often expand their involvement and take over functions for the school board. You don’t need any qualifications to help! See Parent Involvement and check out our handbook to find out about the many ways you can be part of the school.
How strict are classroom days? What if I have other obligations?
Classroom days are an important commitment and are scheduled weekly. If you know you will be absent, we ask that you work with your class coordinator and fellow parents ahead of time to arrange coverage. If an emergency comes up, please notify the teacher and class coordinator as soon as possible, and we will do our best to help arrange coverage. We aim to balance flexibility with fairness and shared responsibility.
What about siblings while I’m in the classroom?
Siblings of co-op students have priority placement in our MAC (Multi-Age Classroom) during the time a parent is working in the classroom, so care is guaranteed. This allows parents to focus on their co-op role while knowing their other child is nearby and well cared for. MAC care is offered at an additional cost; please see the MAC page for current rates and details.
Can you accommodate children with disabilities?
We welcome children of all abilities and are committed to supporting an inclusive learning environment. Our program affirms neurodiversity, and our teachers have training and experience working with children with a range of developmental profiles and support needs. We have proudly served many neurodiverse children and families over the years. Because children’s needs vary, we encourage families to connect with us early in the enrollment process. We are happy to meet with you and one of our teachers to discuss your child’s strengths, needs, and how our program may be able to provide appropriate support.
Can you accommodate English language learners?
Yes. We welcome children and caregivers whose primary language is not English and are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for multilingual families. Our teachers have experience supporting children who are acquiring English as an additional language, and we value the linguistic and cultural diversity that families bring to our community.
Is tuition assistance available?
Yes. Tuition assistance is available through the cooperative preschool program, and additional support may be available through North Seattle College cooperative preschool tuition grants. Availability and eligibility vary. Please visit our tuition assistance page for current information, eligibility criteria, and application details