Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I choose Sky Valley Co-op for my family?
Our preschool offers low monthly tuition, 1:5 parent/child ratios for the 3-5’s class, and 1:1 parent/child ratios for the toddler class. Our classroom is located at Sultan Elementary School, which allows children to experience a real elementary school before they start kindergarten. We are a group of parents who want to make a difference in our child's education and being in a program where you can make a difference is remarkable.
How many days a week do I need to participate in the class?
You are required to be in the classroom one day per week. If your child is in the 3-5’s program, you will work one of the days they are in class. If your child is in the toddler class, you are required to stay with them in class on Tuesday.
What is parent education?
Parent education is held during bi-monthly parent meetings and in-class with our parent educator. Topics may include sibling issues, discipline strategies, potty training, brain development, or any other topics parents may have questions about.
What is a committee?
A committee is a year-long job that each parent is assigned. You may be responsible for washing laundry, helping in creative arts, field trip arrangements, collecting items for science, setting up the dramatic play area, or other available jobs. There is also a choice to serve on the co-op board of directors.
What is a typical day like?
The day starts when the children come in, hang up their coats and wash their hands. Morning circle time begins at 9:30 and includes songs, stories, special helper for the day and any other news for the day. After circle time is over, the children bundle up and head outside to play on the playground or use the scooters/bikes and also do other activities such as chalk, obstacle courses and sports. Once outside time is over, the children return indoors for a quick hand-washing and then are free to explore one of the many stations we have available:
Art: There is a craft ready to make and there is always painting to do, with a theme for each season.
Science: Explore the world of science by playing with ice blocks, looking at insects, playing with tops, or any number of other activities that our creative teacher has come up with.
Manipulatives: Enjoy puzzles, games, playdough and more!
Sensory Table: This may be filled with any number of substances from water, to beans, to rice or pasta. The kids love to run their hands through and dump and pour!
Sandbox: Indoor sandbox loaded with all the truck, bulldozers, buckets and shovels you need.
Carpentry Area: With supervision, cut with a real saw, use a real hammer and make a creation of your own!
Dress up/Pretend play: Well-stocked play kitchen, baby dolls and clothes, and lots of various dress up clothes from animals to police to princesses. While these items are always available to play with, there are also new themes incorporated throughout the year such as restaurant, hospital, grocery store and beauty salon. We even go "camping" right in the preschool classroom!
Toy Area: Unlimited sources of play here, including a doll house with plenty of furniture, large waffle blocks, train tracks, cars and so much more!
Literacy Center: Write (or dictate) your own stories and draw a picture to go along with it! There is a comfy bean bag for listening to stories on tape or just relaxing and looking at books.When playtime is over, the clean up bell is rung and everyone participates in helping to tidy up the classroom. Then we have closing circle with more songs, stories and fun and then say goodbye until next time!
Snack: Each day, a parent is responsible for bringing a healthy snack for the children. At the snack table, they practice pouring their own water, using manners and cleaning up after themselves.
Does the preschool participate in any field trips?
The Sky Valley Co-op loves to go on field trips! We usually have a number of trips throughout the year including the pumpkin patch, the post office and library, the grocery store, the fire station and a beach outing at low tide. Field trips are always a ton of fun for preschoolers and parents alike.
Give us a call to schedule a free observation day, we'd love to see you!
