FAQ - Frequently ASked Questions

How does a co-op preschool work? How much work will I have to do as a parent?

Every child in the preschool also has a grown-up who is enrolled in the Bellevue College class associated with our preschool. (Can be mom, dad, nanny, grandpa...)  That person has three responsibilities:

• Attend the monthly parent meeting, which includes our parent education class in child development. It is held once a month during the school year, currently on first Thursday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 pm. It is held at the preschool with an online option for those who can't attend in person

• Work in the classroom as an "apron parent" two or three times a month during class time - this might mean bringing snack, supporting children's art projects, supervising play in the "gym" or playing in the pretend play and blocks area. You are assisting our teacher, and she is always available for support and guidance. You will work with the parent leader to ensure you're scheduled on days that work for you.

• Have a parent job - this could be as a board member (chair, secretary, treasurer, registrar) or it could be: doing laundry, making playdough, taking photos to create a yearbook, hanging art on the wall, or planning field trips. You will be able to give input on which job would be the best fit for your skills and interests.

Is this a drop-off preschool? When do I need to be there? When can I be there?

On the days you are apron parent (typically 2 - 3 times a month), you will be required to be there from 9:10 - 12:00 or 9:10 - 1:00.

On the other days, you are welcome to drop off. Some parents just bring their child downstairs, get them settled and then leave. Some parents stay for opening gathering, then leave around 9:45. Some parents choose to stay the whole time, even on days when they are not working. That is always OK. (Although a few months into the year, if we feel your child would connect better to the teacher and the other children if you were not there, we would encourage you to try dropping off and giving them that space to become more independent.)

My child won't be 3 years old yet on August 31. Can they attend preschool?

No. We require that children be at least 3 years old to start in the Bears program at Eastgate Co-op Preschool. If your child has a September birthdate, we can sometimes accommodate them on a case-by-case basis after evaluation by our teacher. If your child is younger, our toddler class may be perfect for you.

My child will be 5 years old on August 31. Can they attend?

Yes. They would be part of our Dinos program, which is mostly 4 year olds, but we often have a few 5 year olds because their families decided to do another year of preschool before starting kindergarten. As a small play-based preschool with a high adult to child ratio, we are able to adapt activities to challenge the learning needs of these older kids.

My child speaks a language other than English at home - is that OK?

We have many children who are bilingual in English and their family's language. They do fine. We have a few children each year who do not speak English at all when preschool begins, and we have always been able to make that work well, and we welcome those families. (Note: Teacher Si, our preschool teacher speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and Teacher Leng, our toddler teacher speaks those languages plus Malay.)

However, it is important to note that we do require that the parent who participates in the class be able to communicate well in English, spoken and written, since class business and parent education is all conducted in English.

Does my child need to be potty trained to attend?

Children are not required to be potty trained. However, the teachers and parent volunteers cannot assist with toileting or diaper changing. For toileting, we can stand at the door of the bathroom and remind them of what to do. If a child wets themselves, we can coach them through changing clothes. Some parents choose to send their child in pull-ups. If they have a poop accident, we would call the parent to come to change them.

Is the preschool accessible?

Unfortunately, since we are in a basement, our facility is not accessible to people with mobility challenges that prevent them from using stairs. Other disabilities we are often able to accommodate, and we do want to be as inclusive as possible. If you have questions about whether we can meet the needs of your family, contact our parent educator, Janelle at janelyn@bellevuecollege.edu. (Janelle has one leg and uses crutches, and has three children with ADHD / autism, so has personal insights as well as professional.)

What is the class size and what is the adult to child ratio?

We have a maximum of 22 children. Most years, we enroll between 16 and 20 children. For each class day, there is the teacher and enough parents to keep our child : adult ratios at an unbeatable 4:1. The parent educator attends on Fridays.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes. The Bellevue College Parent Advisory Council provides scholarships for up to 50% off of tuition. Parents submit an application in September which is reviewed, and typically approved, in October. To learn more, contact our parent educator Janelle Durham at janelyn@bellevuecollege.edu 

Can I bring my other children to the preschool on the days I work in the classroom?

Children who are not enrolled in the co-op cannot attend classes.  If you have an infant under 6 months of age, you can wear them in a secure baby carrier while working in the classroom. (They are not allowed to be in a car seat, stroller, or to be set down elsewhere.)

Opening gathering time, which is just after drop-off time (from 9:30 - 9:45) is an exception to that. Non-working parents may choose to bring another child to opening gathering but they must depart as soon as gathering time ends. We have many children who came to opening gathering with their older siblings when they were babies or toddlers who then join the program when they're old enough and settle into the routine easily based on how comfortable they feel at Eastgate.

How can I find childcare for my other children for the days I work in the classroom?

You will only work a few days a month, so there are a variety of creative ways to approach this. 

In some families, the parents are able to coordinate things so one parent watches the sibling while the other parent is working at the preschool. 

Another common solution is to connect with another family in the class with a sibling who you can take turns with to babysit on alternating work days. Coordinate with the Parent Leader to ensure you are never scheduled to work the same days.  This solution has worked for many co-op families over the years and often leads to lasting family friendships.

Other families have found a drop-in daycare or hired a babysitter, or reached out to unexpected neighbors, church members, old friends, etc to inquire about childcare.   Sometimes there is someone in your network who would be happy to help out with watching your little one a few mornings a month.