Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Play-Based Preschool in Dallas for Ages 2-5
Northaven Co-operative Preschool Co-operative Preschool has been a trusted leader in early childhood education since 1969, dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of children aged 2-5 through play-based learning. Our NAEYC-accredited program emphasizes parent involvement, creating a unique partnership between families and educators to foster a child-centered environment. With small class sizes and experienced teachers, we prioritize individualized attention, creativity, and social-emotional growth. Our curriculum integrates STEM activities, dramatic play, and outdoor exploration to cultivate curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. As one of Dallas' first NAEYC-accredited preschools, we maintain rigorous standards in safety, inclusivity, and educational excellence.Our team of certified early childhood professionals brings decades of combined experience to daily classroom activities. Parents actively participate in the learning process, reinforcing educational values at home. We offer flexible scheduling options, including morning classes and extracurricular programs like Fab Friday STEM sessions. Nutritious family-style snacks and hands-on learning experiences form the foundation of our daily routine. Our commitment to quality education has made us a generational institution, with alumni returning as parents to experience the same nurturing environment.
Services
Play-Based Learning
STEM Activities
Parent Involvement
Small Classes
NAEYC Accreditation
Outdoor Exploration
Language Development
Social Skills Training
Nutrition Education
Creative Arts
Details
- Year established: 1969
Highlights and features
- NAEYC-accredited since 1986 with 35+ years of quality assurance
- Parent involvement creates continuity between classroom and home learning
- Small classes with 10-13 students and dual adult supervision
- Experienced teachers with 15-20 years average tenure
- STEM-integrated curriculum through weekly Fab Friday activities
Associations and certifications
- NAEYC
What people say
Nurturing environment
Experienced teachers
Strong community
Effective curriculum
Lifelong friendships
Services
Young 2's Class
Designed for 2-year-olds, this program focuses on sensory development and early socialization through structured play. Children engage in art, music, and motor skill activities while learning classroom routines. The 10-student ratio ensures individual attention and smooth transitions to preschool environments.
3's & 4's Class
Thematic curriculum for 3.5-year-olds combining dramatic play, math concepts, and literacy foundations. Weekly themes drive science experiments and social studies explorations. Class size limited to 12 students with dual adult supervision to optimize learning opportunities.
Fab Friday STEM
Specialized Friday program for children 3.5+ years focusing on hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities. Limited to 12 participants, this class features cooking experiments, construction projects, and collaborative problem-solving challenges to develop critical thinking skills.
Stay for Lunch & Play
Flexible extended-day option for 3-year-olds and older. Includes supervised lunch, playground time, and mixed-age social activities. Operated on a weekly sign-up basis with rotating teacher supervision to accommodate working parents' schedules.
4's & 5's Class
Advanced curriculum preparing children for kindergarten with estimation jars, calendar math, and literacy circles. Class size of 13 students maintains personalized attention while simulating elementary school social dynamics through extended free-play periods and leadership opportunities.
People
Vicki Morgan
Director and 4's & 5's Teacher
BA in Anthropology with graduate education coursework, 18 years teaching early childhood, 5 years as Director. Former parent and grandparent participant, certified in play-based pedagogy.
Suzanne Hoffman
3's & 4's Teacher
Early Childhood Education graduate from Dallas College, 25+ years teaching at Northaven Co-operative Preschool Co-operative Preschool. Specializes in dramatic play curriculum and family engagement strategies.
Lee Lawrence
Young 4's Teacher
B.S. in Home Economics with Child Care Minor, 18 years Dallas preschool experience. Focuses on confidence-building through peer interactions and Curious George-themed learning activities.
Julie Serreyn
Young 2's Teacher
Belgium-certified educator with 15 years teaching experience. Specializes in toddler sensory development and outdoor classroom activities, incorporating European early education methodologies.
Melinda Lively
Young 3's Teacher
Master of Education from SMU, EC-12 certified teacher. Brings 10 years Dallas classroom experience focusing on emotional development and nature-based learning experiences.
Questions
What age requirements must children meet for enrollment?
Children must be 2 years old by September 1 for Young 2's class, with incremental age requirements up to 4.5 years for the 4's & 5's program.
How does parent involvement work in the classroom?
Parents participate as co-op assistants, helping with activities, snack preparation, and supervision. Scheduling accommodates family availability while maintaining classroom consistency.
What distinguishes your curriculum from other preschools?
Our NAEYC-accredited program uniquely combines play-based learning with STEM integration, small class sizes, and parent-teacher collaboration in a nature-rich environment.
Are part-time attendance options available?
Yes, we offer 2-4 day weekly schedules with morning sessions and optional Friday STEM classes or afternoon extended care programs for flexible scheduling.
How do you prepare children for kindergarten transitions?
Our 4's & 5's class focuses on calendar skills, estimation, and literacy circles while emphasizing social-emotional development to ensure smooth elementary school transitions.
