Frequently Asked Questions:

WHat is Cooperative preschool?

​Cooperative preschools provide members with their first formal opportunity to become involved in their children’s education. Parents participate in the classroom once a week and they also use their skills and passions to help us functionally run the school. With the support of a skilled educator, parents and guardians learn developmentally appropriate ways of guiding their children during these early, formative years. In co-op preschools, community develops easily among families in each class and school-wide. 

Children benefit from co-op preschool because their classroom friendships extend beyond class time via this caring and interdependent network. Research demonstrates that children whose parents are actively involved in their early education experience many positive, long-term outcomes over the course of their academic careers.

Parents also benefit because they are more refreshed, resilient, and ready to nurture lovingly when supported not only by their parent educator but also by their peers. Another plus of being in a community with closely engaged parents is that children learn flexibility and adaptability from being with a variety of trusted adults. Our families speak highly of the long term friendships and community they and their children build during their years at our co-op. 

How is Shorenorth Cooperative Preschool affiliated with Shoreline Community College?

​Shorenorth is affiliated with and sponsored by Shoreline Community College (SCC).  By enrolling your child at Shorenorth, you automatically become an SCC student.  You earn college credit through the Parenting Education Program and your instructors are SCC faculty.  You and your child attend class off-campus at our beautiful, child-friendly, stimulating preschool – yet you may enjoy all the rights and privileges which accompany student status on campus, like access to the gym, library and other resources.

​What are the responsibilities of membership in Shorenorth Co-op?

A co-op preschool is a community of families who bring their own special talents and help each other for the benefit of all our children. A community where it’s important to believe that the more you put into the community, the more you and especially your children get out of the community. In addition to helping out in the classroom, members assume responsibility for the operation of the preschool. Being a part of a co-op is a rewarding and engaging experience. One of the reasons a co-op is so affordable is that we rely on all of our members to help in the running of the co-op.

Shorenorth Member Responsibilities include:

1. Participate in parent education during class time
2. Participate in successful fundraising – wreath sales and Spring Carnival*
3. Attend a quarterly school meeting and parent education speaker*
4. Serve on the Board of Directors or have a co-op job*
5. Clean the classroom once a year or paying an opt out fee*
6. Attend the "all school clean" three times per year*
7. Bring a nutritious snack on a rotating basis (Explorers and Toddlers) or bring a lunch for your child only (Movers and Groovers)*

*These responsibilities are not required of those only enrolled in The Baby ‘n Me Class and K-3PE.

​Does my child need to be potty trained?

No, Shorenorth does not require children be potty trained for any class. If you are enrolled in one of our multi-day classes where your child is dropped off one or two of the days, and your child is in diapers or learning to potty train, arrangements can be made which both you and your child are comfortable with.

Can siblings attend classes?

We welcome babes in arms during class of the older sibling. Younger siblings may attend classes of older siblings on an as needed basis upon prior discussion with your instructor.  In general, older siblings do not attend classes of younger siblings. If there is a need, we can often recruit a member of our community to oversee an older sibling playdate for a reasonable group rate while parents are in class with their younger siblings.

What is a work day? How Does drop-off work?

For Baby N' Me and Explorers which only meet once a week, a parent/guardian is always present (no drop-off). For Toddlers, Movers & Groovers, every parent works one day of class per week and drops off the additional class days. Dropping off your child is not a requirement. We work as a team to support drop-off as a developmentally appropriate learning opportunity.

Is there a make-up policy if i miss a class?

If you miss class, we welcome you attending another class as a makeup. We ask that you notify the instructor and the classes' parent coordinator as they might be out exploring or on a field trip.

What is play-based learning?

Play-based learning is a method of early childhood education where children are offered developmentally appropriate guided play and diverse learning environments from their caregivers/instructors in order to help them learn as they engage with their environment through the positive experience of playing.
Learn more about it here.

what if my child has an allergy?

Shorenorth is a nut-free and peanut-free environment. All classes, spaces and events adhere to this policy to keep our little learners and their grown-ups free from worry at snack and lunch. Every class has an allergy list posted to deem which foods are safe to bring to their class for lunch/snack time.

how do i enroll at shorenorth?

We would love to guide you through the steps to enroll at Shorenorth! Please contact [email protected] to get started. You can also click here to open our registration portal.