Resources
Parent Child Preschools of Oregon (PCPO). Supports developmentally appropriate parent child cooperative preschools in Oregon and Washington. Burlingame Cooperative Preschool is a member of PCPO.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). This ERIC Digest examines recent research on DAP and social-emotional and cognitive development, and describes what we have learned about DAP in early childhood classrooms.
Developmentally Appropriate and Culturally Responsive Education:
Theory in Practice. An in-depth and comprehensive study which includes sections on integrated curriculum, multiple intelligences, multiage grouping, culturally responsive teaching, and family-school-community partnerships, among others.
Quotes
"I believe Burlingame Cooperative Preschool gave my child the best possible introduction to the world outside our family. Its emphasis on free play and positive social interaction, its cheery environment, and the caring staff, all combined to create a very positive experience that continues to be a touchstone for my daughter." Lenore Z.
"The Burlingame Preschool experience was great for both me and my daughter. She thrived, and I made some wonderful, lasting friendships." Heather H.
"I really appreciated the diversity and multiculturalism Mrs. Moore introduced the children to. My grade schooler (Gabrielle) mentions something she learned/experienced in preschool every week! Burlingame Cooperative Preschool really made a lasting impression on her and we can't wait to send little brother to preschool there as well." Darcie A.
Talented alum families
Dancer Luciana Proaño
Musician John JB Butler
Photographer Jim Skates
Photographer Jane Keating
Artist Bart Abraham
Photographer Craig Daniels
Artist Amy Windrope
Website founders Heather Hawkins & Renee Limon: ReadySetMom.com, EnviroMom.com and Portland Metro Area Preschool & Childcare Directory
Helpful Articles
Why Co-ops. Explains the benefits a co-op preschool offers children and their parents.
Learning through Play. This article written by Kathy Ems, PCPO President, gets to the heart of why play-based learning is the best approach for the preschool years. We're honored to have permission to reprint this very informative article.
Why Preschool Matters. Parents Magazine article outlines why attending a high-quality play-based preschool program prepares kids for kindergarten and beyond.
Parents in Action
Our cooperative involves parents directly in their child's preschool experience, benefiting both children and parents and creating a close community of families.
Involving parents creates a safe, affordable and ideal learning community
Burlingame Cooperative Preschool is entirely run by parents of current students. Each family plays an important role at the school, which is part of the cooperative effort that keeps the school running and the costs low. Responsibilities include:
- Helping in classroom 1-2 days per month
- Serving on the board or one committee
- Attending three parent meetings per year
- Cleaning and classroom set-up 2-3 times per year
- Volunteering at one work party per year
- Participating in all fundraisers
- Paying tuition and fees on time
And the benefits are many ...
- Playing an active role in your child's education
- Watching your child grow and learn
- Developing a social circle of like-minded parents
- Learning new parenting skills
- Paying lower tuition than most preschools
The Power of Play
At Burlingame Cooperative Preschool, there is a lot of play and for good reason. Much research on children's learning and development documents the benefits of play for children's intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and language development.
- Children at play are actively involved in creating themes, exploring and establishing relationships, solving problems and developing shared understanding.
- Children engage in "parallel play" — near each other but with each child engrossed in his own activity.
- As children get older, they play cooperatively, organizing roles and scenarios for group play.
All kinds of play are valuable:
- When kids play with each other, they learn to see other children's points of view and begin to understand customs and rules in their own culture and to appreciate those of others.
- They learn to use language in new ways to describe their play and interact with others.
- They develop early math and science skills, while improving on their imagination and creativity.
- And in play, children develop their muscles and coordination.
