Nature’s Pointe Cooperative Preschool

This school changed the way I thought about early childhood education and gave us exactly what we needed — play! As a parent who really values the attachment that I share with my kids, I didn’t want to send them into a school on a regular basis not knowing anything about their day, their peers, or their teachers. I had made that choice initially and realized quickly that it wasn’t a good fit for us :).
This school, on the other hand, welcomed my whole family through its doors and encouraged all of us to approach learning together. We took a tour, registered, and fell in love. I only wish we had found it sooner :)!

I had never heard of a cooperative school before I started my search for a local preschool for my son. I didn’t even know this concept existed but I have since discovered it’s an awesome way to run a preschool. I started out enrolling him in the parent’s day out program which was awesome. I wasn’t yet a member that needed to volunteer or anything so it was just a nice way to try it out and see if we liked it. It was like 4 – 5 hours (I forget) for a seriously small amount of money, especially compared to the babysitter I was considering hiring for $ 10 an hour. He brought his lunch and played with about 4 other kids, some younger some a little older. Everyone was aged 2 – 4 and the 2 teachers had great themed activities laid out each day. He was shy at first but by the time the program was over in the Spring, he was chatty and had made new friends. He was like a totally different kid.
So after that, I officially joined the co-​op. I was sold. I’m reviewing this as a «customer» and as someone who sits on the school board. The thing about a co-​op is: you’re both. I love that I get more than just a small say in the stuff my son is learning. I love that I get to help out with the running of a school and sit in on his class about once a month. I think if I had gone the traditional preschool route I would never know what I’m missing by not spending a whole day in class with him once in a while. It’s great to watch learn and interact with other kids.
OK so one thing you’re wondering is: what am I going to do with my baby while I’m helping out in the classroom? This crossed my pregnant-​lady mind when I first found the school too. Turns out I’m not the only mother of a preschooler with a baby (who’da thunk it?). We just swap baby sitting days in a toy filled room at the school. I tell you, my babysitting day is my favorite day of the month. Just this week I snuggled a wee baby while my 15 month old zoomed cars around on the floor with a 2 year old and it was an overload of adorableness. Way too much cute packed into one room.
My son has blossomed since starting school and he has learned SO much. I am amazed at his social development too. He loves his teacher, so much so that he has a teddy bear at home named «Miss Marlo». I love that there’s a focus on learning through play, a large focus on science, healthy snacks and lots of outdoor time. There’s a huge outdoor play area with so many activities. I honestly feel like I’ve become a better parent because of what I’ve learned from my experience at this school. That sounds incredibly cheesey but cheese or not, it’s the truth.