About Us
Cooperative & Play-Based
Our Mission
Through a commitment to play-based education and the cooperative model, EEC develops the whole child, supports the growth of parents, and creates meaningful connections within an inclusive community.
Philosophy
The Early Education Cooperative Preschool is an intimate, family-oriented preschool that creates a nurturing environment meeting the developing physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs of young children. As a parent cooperative preschool, parents are actively engaged in classroom activities, with opportunities provided for parent education, sharing and development of parenting skills.
The Early Education Cooperative is a play-based preschool, utilizing an emergent curriculum that provides extensive opportunities for children to choose activities from a rich environment that helps the developing child in all aspects of growth. Through planned activities and play, expert teachers guide children in negotiating conflict, making friends and learning how to solve problems.
Parent Involvement
As a parent cooperative preschool, we have high expectations for parent involvement with our school. By enrolling, parents agree to:
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Serve as a co-oping parent classroom volunteer twice each month, on average.
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Provide classroom snacks once each month, on average.
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Participate in at least two of the three community work days.
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Serve on one of the parent committees.
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Provide additional support with tasks such as laundry, library, and play dough.
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Participate in parent meetings.
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Participate in community building events like play dates, Fall Fest, Auction, Sing and Feast.
FAQ
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Is there space to enroll my little one?(updated 8/01/2024) We currently have space in our Owl (Pre-K) program only.
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Does my child need to be potty trained?Children enrolled in the Desert Doves, Hummingbirds, or Quail classes do not need to be potty trained. That classroom is a licensed diaper changing room and there are two child-sized restrooms located in the room as well. We will help work on potty-training your child if you would like. Students enrolled in our pre-k class do need to be potty trained.
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What is the teacher student ratio?Desert Doves: 2 Professional Early Educators; Child/ Staff Ratio 1:7 Hummingbirds: 2 Professional Early Educators; Child/ Staff Ratio 1:9 Owls: 2 Professional Early Educators; Child/ Staff Ratio 1:9
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Do you accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions?Yes. Please provide further information regarding your child’s needs on our registration form. We are happy to accommodate you.
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What paperwork is needed to be considered for enrollment?Please refer to the "enrollment" section on our website. Once you are officially enrolled in the school, we will have you fill out an emergency card and we will require a copy of your child’s vaccine records and a TB test and fingerprint clearance card for each parent who will be volunteering. The Arizona Department of Health State Licensing requires parents of students who regularly volunteer in the classroom to be TB tested and Fingerprinted. We can provide you with information about how and where to get that done.
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How does Financial Assistance work?Scholarships at Early Education Cooperative are in the form of a tuition reduction/discount. All families at the Early Education Cooperative must contribute financially to the program at some level. Maximum discounts are 50% of tuition and fees. Tuition Discounts are for the morning preschool programs only. We do not provide reduced rates for Registration Fees, Deposits, Early Birds, Lunch Bunch or Stay & Play. Please contact the directors for our Financial Assistance Application if this is something you’re interested in.
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How can I get involved in the community?It’s easy! As a parent cooperative preschool, we have high expectations for parent involvement with our school. By enrolling, parents agree to: Serve as a co-oping parent classroom volunteer twice each month, on average. Provide classroom snacks once each month, on average. Participate in at least two of the three community work days. Serve on one of the parent committees. Provide additional support with tasks such as laundry, library, and play dough. Participate in parent meetings. Participate in community building events like play dates, Fall Fest, Auction, Sing and Feast.
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How often do the kids go outside?We know and understand the research and importance of kids playing outside and being in nature each day. Every class is given opportunities in the schedule to be outside on our courtyards, in the sand yard or on the trike yard multiple times per day. Most days, there is between 1 hour to 1.5 hours (or more) of outside play time. We play outside in rain or shine by dressing for the occasion and practicing sun safety when it’s hot.
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Can you tell me about teacher education?Our professional faculty members are highly qualified early childhood educators with extensive training and experience. Lead Teachers have a degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and have a combination of training and experience. Teacher assistants have a Child Development Associate Degree or similar credential or have experience in an early childhood setting. Collectively our teachers have over 50 years of early childhood education experience.
Our Facilities
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