Philosophy
Saline Cooperative Preschool provides a unique opportunity for child, teacher and parent to work in partnership to create a positive early school experience. Under the direction of a trained and objective teacher, children learn and make meaning of the world around them through play. It is a place in which families feel safe, heard, and important as well as where children's needs and feelings are of primary importance. In addition, the partnership between parent and teacher takes into consideration the importance of sharing the responsibility of the growth and development of each child.
Curriculum
In the first year of preschool, children learn to do many things which aid them in their social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Each day they are learning school readiness skills such as sharing, turn taking, group awareness, and empathy. There are several opportunities to practice motor coordination through running, jumping, and climbing as well as, cutting, gluing, beading and coloring. Through developmentally appropriate activities children are exposed to basic colors, shapes, letters and numbers as well as music, arts, and dramatic play activities which develop their creativity and help to foster independence.
As the children progress into the second year, the solid foundation that was laid from the previous year allows them the opportunity to find deeper understanding in concepts and skills through an enriched curriculum. They are given the opportunity to learn to recognize their name in print, identify and learn to use numbers in various tasks such as counting and measuring, and begin to recognize letters. As children’s interests and preferences develop we are able to adapt the curriculum to make concepts meaningful to each child.
With the teacher as a role model, as well as the relationships built between fellow parents and caregivers, members gain more effective parenting skills. The Co-op is also an important forum for learning about child development and related parenting issues.
Our goal and mission is to create a safe and nurturing environment in which we help to develop a child’s individuality, self-awareness, and awareness of others. Respect, empathy, and sense of accomplishment are key factors.
At Saline Cooperative Preschool, we recognize and welcome families of all configurations. We will not discriminate based on race, color, handicap, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
Saline Cooperative Preschool is is a parent-run cooperative preschool established in 1957. At SCOOP, we offer multifaceted, teacher-guided activities to help preschoolers learn, play, and grow in a positive, nurturing environment, establishing the pattern for life-long learning. The school's play-based programs provide a cost-effective preschool choice in addition to a unique classroom experience between student, teacher, and parent.
As a preschool cooperative (Co-op), it is operated by member parents and the elected school board. Classes are led by a dedicated teacher, and parents volunteer their time, skills, and energy to help the school run efficiently. The school is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization affiliated with the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools and licensed by the Family Independence Agency.
Saline Cooperative Preschool is located on Ann Arbor Saline Road, in a space connected to the Holy Faith church, although not affiliated.
SCOOP serves families in surrounding areas including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter and more. We offer a partial-day program for children between the ages of 3 years and 5 years in one multi-aged group, with a maximum of __ children in the space. Our facility includes one large classroom and a private backyard / playground for outdoor play and exploration.
The day starts between 9:00 am, and runs until 12:00 pm. SCOOP has one full-time teacher.
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Saline Cooperative Preschool is is a parent-run cooperative preschool established in 1957. At SCOOP, we offer multifaceted, teacher-guided activities to help preschoolers learn, play, and grow in a positive, nurturing environment, establishing the pattern for life-long learning. The school's play-based programs provide a cost-effective preschool choice in addition to a unique classroom experience between student, teacher, and parent.
As a preschool cooperative (Co-op), it is operated by member parents and the elected school board. Classes are led by a dedicated teacher, and parents volunteer their time, skills, and energy to help the school run efficiently. The school is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization affiliated with the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools and licensed by the Family Independence Agency.
Saline Cooperative Preschool is located on Ann Arbor Saline Road, in a space connected to the Holy Faith church, although not affiliated.
SCOOP serves families in surrounding areas including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter and more. We offer a partial-day program for children between the ages of 3 years and 5 years in one multi-aged group, with a maximum of __ children in the space. Our facility includes one large classroom and a private backyard / playground for outdoor play and exploration.
The day starts between 9:00 am, and runs until 12:00 pm. SCOOP has one full-time teacher.
​
Saline Cooperative Preschool is is a parent-run cooperative preschool established in 1957. At SCOOP, we offer multifaceted, teacher-guided activities to help preschoolers learn, play, and grow in a positive, nurturing environment, establishing the pattern for life-long learning. The school's play-based programs provide a cost-effective preschool choice in addition to a unique classroom experience between student, teacher, and parent.
As a preschool cooperative (Co-op), it is operated by member parents and the elected school board. Classes are led by a dedicated teacher, and parents volunteer their time, skills, and energy to help the school run efficiently. The school is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization affiliated with the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools and licensed by the Family Independence Agency.
Saline Cooperative Preschool is located on Ann Arbor Saline Road, in a space connected to the Holy Faith church, although not affiliated.
SCOOP serves families in surrounding areas including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter and more. We offer a partial-day program for children between the ages of 3 years and 5 years in one multi-aged group, with a maximum of __ children in the space. Our facility includes one large classroom and a private backyard / playground for outdoor play and exploration.
The day starts between 9:00 am, and runs until 12:00 pm. SCOOP has one full-time teacher.
​
Saline Cooperative Preschool is is a parent-run cooperative preschool established in 1957. At SCOOP, we offer multifaceted, teacher-guided activities to help preschoolers learn, play, and grow in a positive, nurturing environment, establishing the pattern for life-long learning. The school's play-based programs provide a cost-effective preschool choice in addition to a unique classroom experience between student, teacher, and parent.
As a preschool cooperative (Co-op), it is operated by member parents and the elected school board. Classes are led by a dedicated teacher, and parents volunteer their time, skills, and energy to help the school run efficiently. The school is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization affiliated with the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools and licensed by the Family Independence Agency.
Saline Cooperative Preschool is located on Ann Arbor Saline Road, in a space connected to the Holy Faith church, although not affiliated.
SCOOP serves families in surrounding areas including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter and more. We offer a partial-day program for children between the ages of 3 years and 5 years in one multi-aged group, with a maximum of __ children in the space. Our facility includes one large classroom and a private backyard / playground for outdoor play and exploration.
The day starts between 9:00 am, and runs until 12:00 pm. SCOOP has one full-time teacher.
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What's a Co-op?
Saline Cooperative Preschool is a parent-run cooperative. Of the many things that make us unique, none is more important than the deep involvement of parents in our cooperative model. Our school could not function without every family performing responsibilities. In the classroom, we welcome family members to share holiday and birthday celebrations with the group. Events and field trips are planned to incorporate family involvement. The cooperative model permeates all facets of life at Saline Co-op, underlining our aim to create a nurturing first school experience for children that fosters a lifelong love of learning and a deep respect for diversity, community, and justice.
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DECISION MAKING
Current families serve on the board and make all major decisions for the school during monthly board meetings. Families have one vote each, and are actively encouraged to attend meetings and participate. Attendance at monthly board meetings and participation in the operations and decision making process create a supportive and rewarding network for parents.
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TIME COMMITMENT
Families are involved in almost every aspect of the school, including finance, fundraising, publicity and membership. Every family performs one job. Although the jobs are relatively uniform in terms of the amount of work, they vary widely in how that work is distributed: some require hours during the workday and others don’t; some have marked busy/slow periods and others are consistent; and so on. Most jobs can be done by anyone.