Parents participate at Kids' Co-Op Preschool

Volunteers assume a consistent role in the classroom at early education center

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At Kids' Co-Op Preschool and Kindergarten, parents don't drop their children at the door. They play an important role in their children's education and the running of their school.

Parents volunteer in the classroom two to three times per month and serve on a committee that makes all the decisions for the school. They conduct school business, including daily operations, fundraising and planning.

Additionally, parents supplement the staff to help certified teachers keep the adult-to-child ratio low in each classroom.

The program is attended by 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds and kindergartners. The 2-year-old class has eight students for one teacher and two parents and the 3- and 4-year-old classes each have 10 students, a teacher and two parents. The kindergarten class has 12 students, one teacher and one parent.

"The teachers are able to do so much more with the kids because the parents are in the room," said teacher Teri Johnston, who also serves as the school's director.

Teachers educate the parents on the school's philosophy, and parents are required to enroll in two consecutive semesters of family and community relations at CCSN.

To comply with Clark County licensing, parents who work in the classroom must acquire a health card from the Clark County Health District and a child care work card.

Every teacher at the school currently has a child in the program, or has in the past.

Kids' Co-Op is in its 23rd year and is the only school of its kind in Las Vegas. In addition to having parents work closely with all the children, Kids' Co-Op promotes a learning-through-play environment, according to educators. During free play, for example, children can get their hands -- or feet -- into anything they want.

Stations set up in the classrooms and the outdoor play area include a sensory table that can be filled with sand, water or flour. Youngsters can paint, play with glue or tape, or any other prop meant to function as a learning tool.

"Children need to feel with their whole bodies," Johnston said. "How do you know what tape does until you use it?"

Johnston said there is no limit on the supplies each child is permitted to use.

"If they want to paint 50 pictures, they can," she said.

Although they do not have unlimited funds, Johnston said staffers will find a way to stock what they need to give the children the means to express themselves.

"We're allowing him to go ahead and figure out what to do," Johnston said. "He will just have to clean it up."

Throughout the three-hour class time, preschool students take part in small group activities involving art, music, and reading, among others. Kindergarten students follow the Clark County School District curriculum and are able to attend any local elementary school the following year.

"Children learn so much from play," said Anne McGuire, a parent who has had three children in the program. Her 4-year-old is currently a student and her 6- and 8-year-olds attend a CCSD elementary school. "If the staff did nothing, the child would still learn from the environment we have created."

The nonprofit organization spent 20 years leasing its space until co-op members were able to purchase the current facility three years ago at 4316 N. Decatur Blvd. The school pays for supplies through tuition and community donations.

Money often is tight, so parents help out by donating and soliciting for items.

The large, on-site playground was built by parents one weekend at a time. Parents also installed sprinklers, grass and the playground equipment.

The Kids' Co-Op 19th annual Auction Fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at Tommy Rocker's, 4275 Dean Martin Drive. There will be a no-host bar, drink specials, food and a live and silent auction.

Admission to the event is free, but there is a $15 per couple charge for a commemorative yearbook and auction catalog and a bidding number to participate in the auction. Reservations are required. For more information, call 656-6600.