Welcome to the RVCP learning community!
What we believe
RVCP offers a multi-age, social-emotional curriculum, with two teachers in the classroom, which enables us to meet the developmental needs of the children through authentic and meaningful relationships and activities. As children play and build relationships with each other and the grown-ups, they practice a variety of skills in which they experience both the role of expert and learner. All decisions that we make as teachers start with the child at the center. Our image of the child is one who is complete, good, competent, powerful, creative, intelligent, inquisitive, enterprising, rooted in culture, empathic, cooperative, resilient and perseverant. Our planning and reflections are built on the belief that children are exactly where they need to be and doing exactly what they need to be doing in this moment in time, and that they can accomplish what they are capable of doing, alone and with others. Our work begins with the unconditional acceptance of our children exactly where they are.
The Co-op Experience
We believe when parents engage in their child’s learning, the experience is more rewarding for both child and parents. Our preschool is a parent-run co-op, and its success depends on everyone’s contributions. As part of the RVCP community, all families are required to:
- Work in the classroom
- Manage a parent job, and
- Participate in fundraising events, among other things.
Please explore the tabs above for more information about parent participation.
Rewards of our process
- Parent involvement promotes parent-child bonding, and creates confidence in kids and parents.
- Our low child to adult ratios allow for an engaging and personal experience.
- Our teachers help each child practice life skills to become adept social beings: problem solvers, friends, and members of community.
- Our community is a wonderful way to foster friendships.
- Our monthly parent meetings provide valuable current research and parenting techniques.
- Our families are a supportive network committed to the success of each child.
Work in the Classroom
Each family must assist in the classroom on a regular basis. Generally, a parent works once per week for half-day classes, and one full day or two half days for families with full-day students. Full-day families also work out lunch coverage with other full-day families. Certain conditions (maternity leave, health issues, enrollment, etc.) may require families to work more.
Parent Jobs
Families are assigned a school job based on their interests, talents, and job availability. Parent jobs include positions such as Field Trip Coordinator, Treasurer, Maintenance, etc.
Download details
For full descriptions including detailed responsibilities, please read or download:
Board Positions:
- Co-Chairperson 1 *
- Co-Chairperson 2 *
- Secretary *
- Treasurer *
- Sunflower Class Parent Coordinator *
- Caterpillar Class Parent Coordinator *
- Salmon Class Parent Coordinator *
- Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Rep. *
- Teacher Liaison *
- Risk Management I *
- Enrollment I *
- Development Chair *
- Alumni Representative
- Board Member at Large
* Executive Board members
Standard Positions:
- Working Grown-up Scheduler
- Treasurer II – Tuition
- Parent Jobs & New Parent Orientation
- Enrollment II
- Webmaster & Office Support
- Supplies & Storeroom Manager
- Art Coordinator
- Cleaning Coordinator
- Maintenance Coordinator
- Playground & Landscape Coordinator
- Salmon Class Field Trip Coordinator
- Towels & Smocks Laundry 1
- Towels & Smocks Laundry 2
- Dev – Event Lead I
- Dev – Event Lead II
- Dev – PR Coordinator
- Dev – Social Events Coordinator
- Dev – Social Media & Online Giving
- Dev – Grant Writer
- Dev = Development Team member
Fundraising Events
Fundraising is integral to our preschool’s operation. Throughout the year, we showcase the Fall Festival, the Movie Matinee, and a silent auction. Our fundraising efforts build a strong community and provide funds for the preschool’s maintenance and scholarships.
Social Events
We believe a strong community builds a better school. In class, we have a unique opportunity to connect with other co-op families on a daily basis. We also arrange social events like summer playdates and our annual picnic to strengthen our community.
School Operations
Parent Meetings
During our parent-only meetings, we discuss class activities, upcoming events, and preschool business, and our parent educator leads us in variety of early childhood development topics.
Other Responsibilities
We kick off the school year with Parent Orientation in September. Throughout the year, each family participates in a set-up shift at the start of the year, one monthly cleaning during the year, and a final maintenance and cleaning shift at the end of the year. Each is about a three hour time commitment.
Sunflower
Our Sunflower class (2 – 3.5 years)
meets Tuesday and Friday mornings
from 9:30a – 12:00p.
Caterpillar
Our Caterpillar class (2.5 – 5 years)
meets Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
from 9:30a – 12:00p.
Salmon
Our Salmon class (3 – 5 years)
meets Monday thru Thursday afternoons
from 12:30p – 3:30p.
Fall 2019 Enrollment Information
* Scholarship funds are available to families needing financial assistance. For more information, please reference the scholarship application below.
For the 2019-20 school year, RVCP is pleased to offer the Alternative Participation Model (APM), a pilot program intended to increase accessibility to our cooperative preschool. Read more:
At RVCP, a typical family commitment involves both working in the classroom on a regular basis and holding a Parent Job to help run the school.* The APM program allows for a family to modify that commitment to double their classroom time and hold no parent job, or hold two parent jobs and have no classroom time. We hope this greater flexibility enables a wider range of families to attend and enjoy the benefits of co-op preschool.
New and existing families are encouraged to download and read through the application to see if the program might be a good fit for your family.
* Note: Participants in APM retain all the usual remaining agreements of the RVCP co-op model, including fundraising, cleaning shifts, and monthly parent meetings. Please see the general Enrollment Application for more details on the co-op model agreements.
Meet Our Teachers
RVCP offers a multi-age environment, with two teachers in the classroom, which enables us to meet the developmental needs of the children through authentic and meaningful relationships and activities.
Contact Us
Do you have questions or want to connect with our community? We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call or drop us note, and we’ll get back to you shortly.
enrollment@rainiervalleycooppreschool.org
206-723-1555
6230 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108