Along with all good nursery schools, parent cooperatives provide the rich and
happy environment that preschool children need for optimum development. The
characterizing element is the parent’s cooperation in the organization and
business end as well as the encouragement to participate, visit and play a part
in the classroom.In the cooperative, the contribution of each individual (child or parent) is considered vital to the continued existence of the group; each individual is asked to do his/her share, encouraged to do more, and appreciated for doing it. Leaders are cultivated and celebrated. Most participants feel they gain more than they give, both as parents and as persons.
Every parent is responsible for a small piece of effort. The small parts create the whole. With the collaboration of the many individuals that make up the parent body, budgets are created, beautification efforts are made, carpools are arranged, fundraising is conducted and special events are planned and attended.
The benefit to the children is immeasurable. What a clear message it sends – Your parents consider your education important! They want to be involved! Adult collaboration is a concrete example that working together is important and rewarding. Seeing their parents in their school brings to children, in the clearest way, the value of cooperation.
Many question the future of cooperative schools. As more and more families have two working parents, and time is more pressured than ever, will there continue to be parents willing and able to devote time and energy to their children’s early education? Let’s hope there will be. We believe the cooperative school is just what we need more of. It is rare, in education, to find such all-involving cooperative efforts. The cooperative nursery school stands as a model for what can be accomplished when true collaboration is in effect.
Reference: Taylor, Katherine Whiteside. 1954 Parent Cooperative Nursery Schools. New York Teachers College Publications, Columbia University.