~5:1 Our classroom can accommodate up to 20 kiddos, who are attended to by 3 teachers at all times (plus our parent of the day).

At GPC, we approach discipline with a compassionate and nurturing mindset. We believe in guiding children through positive reinforcement, clear communication, and understanding. Our focus is on fostering a supportive environment where children feel safe to express themselves, learn from their experiences, and grow together as a community. We prioritize teaching empathy, problem-solving, and respectful interactions, empowering children to navigate challenges with kindness and compassion.

The short answer is yes please, but as all parents know few things are black and white. Our staff will work to support you and your little one, and we will speak more about this during our application process.

All of our teachers are CPR/First Aid Trained.

Weather permitting, we generally spend 1.5 hours outside everyday.

We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia framework which promotes a holistic approach to education honoring each child's unique interests, abilities, and potential for growth.

Parents are responsible for making, packing, and sending in daily lunch, as well as occasional snacks.

As a cooperative we are always looking to deepen our connection with our community by planning numerous field trips throughout the school year. We are also regularly programming music class, storytelling class, and many others.

We work with our landlord Silverman, to ensure that our classroom is as secure as possible. We have managed access at our main entrance so all parents can swipe in, we can see who accessed/opened the door when, and the teacher are also able to ultimately deadbolt the classroom securely.

All staff have CARI & CHRI checks run as well. The parents are also cleared as they are an integral part of the classroom.

Freeplay - Explore new materials and connect with peers and teachers in the classroom.

Morning meeting - A time to sing, dance, do yoga, & chat about the day.

Snack - At our preschool, we adore when parents send in homemade snacks—each bite brimming with love and care, ensuring our little explorers enjoy nutritious treats that make their day even brighter!

Project time - Engage in extended exploration of special materials and projects planned by teachers and children, fostering collaboration and creativity.

Outdoor time - Embrace nature with daily outdoor activities, including play at local splash parks and backyard fun, rain or shine.

Lunch - Sit down and talk about our morning adventures while we refill our tanks with delicious homemade lunches.

Rest time - Take a break to rest and reset with age-appropriate activities like reading, sleeping, or quiet project work.

Afternoon Snack - Enjoy another healthy snack, sometimes made earlier in the day, to recharge for more fun and learning.

After lunch we have quiet time as a classroom to rest our bodies. Our younger friends can nap from ~1:00pm-2:30pm. While older friends can read quietly or do silent projects on their cot.

We communicate primarily over Slack. It allows for transparency, immediacy, and centralization. Everything from who napped, to daily photos, & lesson plans. Additionally there is weekly “office hours” where you connect more deeply with the teachers than you can at drop off & pickup.

Being part of a cooperative school provides an unparalleled opportunity to be involved in your child’s early educational experiences. Parents staff the board, participate in all aspects of running and maintaining the school, and support the teachers in educational duties. The majority of the time a parent is present at the school as the “parent of the day” (or POD) to help the teachers, play with the children, and help serve snack and lunches.

The school year is September through June, weekdays from 8:30am to 4pm, which includes a lunch period, rest/nap time, and two snacks. Extended care is typically available beginning at 4pm and ending at 6pm. We also host a fall, winter, & summer camp.

Children must be between 2.9 and 5 years old when they enter school in September. This ensures that there is an appropriate span of ages in the mixed-age classroom.

It depends on the number of families enrolled that year, but the schedule is managed and coordinated by parents, and rotates so that everyone has equal responsibilities.

It happens! You can swap days with another parent in the current or a subsequent month, or split days with your partner or another parent. If none of these are possible, a substitute can be hired from the substitute teacher list as approved by the board. Your family would be charged a fee for hiring the substitute.