About Us
Cathedral Park Cooperative Preschool was started by parents more than 30 years ago, and we've occupied the same classrooms in Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church since that time. Although we have no affiliation with the church, we enjoy an excellent relationship.
In all of the years since we moved to our current location, we’ve had only five teachers. The low turnover rate has greatly contributed to the stability of the school. We’ve been a part of the North Portland community for decades, and are delighted that adults who attended the preschool as children are now bringing their own children back to enjoy the co-op experience.
What is a cooperative preschool?
A cooperative preschool is an organization run by a group of parents who want to participate in their child’s first educational experience. Parents help the teacher in the classroom, and hold a school job to aid in the maintenance and running of the school. Some parents may also serve on the board of directors thereby participating in decisions about the school and its programs.
Cooperative preschools are able to provide quality preschool programming at a reduced cost because of parent participation in the cooperative. As members of the cooperative, we are the caregivers, administrators, and classroom assistants in the program. This allows us to be involved in the shaping and support of our children’s preschool experience. Consequently, a cooperative preschool requires more involvement and time from families than other preschool alternatives.
The Benefits of Cooperative Preschool
-
Participation in their children’s education away from home.
A better understanding of their children’s individuality through observing them with other children the same age.
A voice in school decisions and policy-making.
Education in child development and parenting skills.
Mutual understanding and moral support from other parents with the same concerns, interests, and challenges.
Memories of activities shared with children.
A sense of belonging to a community with other families
-
New experiences and a wider world to explore and enjoy.
A teacher who encourages their sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.
Parents in the classroom, which guarantees an excellent adult-to-child ratio.
The opportunity to learn about the differences and rights of others by playing with children of similar ages.
Play equipment, learning games, expressive materials, and art activities not generally available at home.
Field trips, story-telling, musical and dramatic play, exercise for large motor muscles, and activities to stimulate small muscle coordination.
A positive attitude toward future school attendance.
Affiliations
Parent Child Preschools Organization
Cathedral Park Preschool is a member of Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO).
PCPO is a nonprofit organization of more than 50 cooperative preschools and kindergartens with a membership of more than 1,500 children and teachers.
PCPO helps CPP with:
Training workshops
Resource guides
Advice and guidance
CPP’s handbook
Among many others!
Eco-Healthy Child Care
Cathedral Park Preschool is committed to having an eco-healthy environment for the children in our care and all members of our school community. We base our practices on the Eco-Healthy Child Care checklist outlined by the Children’s Environmental Health Network.