What is Island Cooperative Preschool’s (ICP) mission?
Our mission is to Nurture, Involve and Inspire Children and Parents in the Exploration of Learning.
What is a cooperative (co-op) preschool?
A cooperative preschool is an organization owned and run by the parents of the preschool. As part owner of the preschool, parents share in executive and day-to-day operations, such as decision making, classroom activities, maintaining the school, and fundraising.
What are the benefits of a cooperative preschool?
Active participation in the classroom with great insight in how your child is doing in preschool.
The opportunity to work directly with young children (including your own).
Meeting families and developing friendships.
Opportunities to enhance and improve the community.
Learning positive and constructive parenting skills.
Tuition is comparatively low.
Is ICP a nonprofit school?
Yes, ICP is a 501c3 nonprofit school. Our operating funds come from tuition, donations, and fundraising. There is an elected board of parents who run the business aspects of the school, with all co-op members having a voice in what we do.
Does ICP do fundraising?
Yes, ICP tries to keep our fundraising efforts to one main fundraiser a year, a Family Concert. We also promote our school and ask for donations through Bainbridge Island’s One Call For All campaign that helps fund local nonprofits, and through Kitsap Great Give.
Is there a scholarship program?
Yes, we encourage families in need to apply for scholarships. Donations through One Call For All go to our scholarship fund.
What are the co-op requirements for parents?
As a cooperative preschool, all parents work together to keep the school running smoothly. They serve either on the Board, or on a School Team. There are 5 school teams: Fundraising, Marketing, School Care, Eco School, and Equity and Inclusion. Parents give approximately 1 hour a month doing team work.
What else is expected of parents?
ICP is a learning community for parents and children. Parents learn about child development and the latest on parenting skills in a monthly evening parent education class. They practice these skills when they serve as Teaching Parents in their child’s classroom under the guidance of the parent ed and classroom teacher. We work alongside a diverse group of people towards a shared goal – the education of our children.
How often are parents in the classroom as Teaching Parents?
This depends on which class you are in.
Penguin class (age 1-2) parents are in the classroom for every class, or once a week.
Sea Otter class (age 2-3) parents are in the classroom once a week. Children are in class two times a week.
Dolphin class (age 3-4) parents are in the classroom on average twice a month. Dolphin children come three times a week.
Orca class (age 4-5) parents are in the classroom on average twice a month. Orca children come four times a week.
Can I still join if I can’t be in the classroom that often?
Yes. We welcome other caregivers and grandparents to come as Teaching Parents. We also offer a Flex Option in the Dolphin and Orca classes. Flex parents pay $100 more per month and are Teaching Parents in their child’s classroom once a quarter. The Flex Option is not guaranteed, and is dependent on the total number of students enrolled in the class. Flex Option families will be chosen via a rolling lottery and are contacted if/when they are randomly selected for the Flex Option.
We’re expecting a baby in a few months. What do we do then?
Your class will work with you to help cover time out of the classroom when the baby is born. Some parents take extra teaching days before the baby comes so that they can have time at home with the newborn. Often another family member covers some Teaching Days to provide consistency for the older child.
Are siblings allowed to come to class?
No, our insurance does not allow those not registered to be in the classroom. The exception is babies up to 4 months in a front pack.
What do I do with my younger child on my teaching days?
We will work with you to find childcare solutions. Our co-op families are a great resource. Trading sibling care, sharing in sitters, and cooperatively offering sibling care are all options to be explored.
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
No. We know each child develops on their own time table. We work with families to support learning to use the toilet when they are ready.
Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend school?
Yes. We follow the state of Washington and our school district’s requirement that all children must be current on their vaccines to start school. We encourage children to receive the Covid vaccine and flu shots as well to help protect our vulnerable populations at school. We require all adults to have the Covid vaccine and be boosted and strongly encourage annual flu shots.
Do the children play outside during class time?
Yes. All children are outside anywhere from a half hour to an hour every school day. We know children are happier and healthier when they spend time outdoors. This also supports our Nature-Based curriculum as children have lots of room and time to explore our Natural Playscape playground, the Wildlife Sanctuary and our preschool garden.
Do children go outside when it rains?
Yes! We go outside in every kind of weather. We ask that parents provide appropriate outdoor clothing including rain clothes and boots. Parents also are outside on their teaching days and need to be prepared for the weather as well.
What do you do about snacks at school?
In the Penguin and Sea Otter classes parents take turns bringing a group snack. In the older two classes, the Dolphins and Orcas, children bring a snack from home in a lunch bag. They learn to serve themselves their snack and to clean up afterwards. The Orca class does cooking on Fridays and together they prepare a group snack.