Business Details
Play-Based Preschool Education in Chelsea, MI
Founded on the belief that learning is a natural process emerging through environmental interaction, our preschool provides multifaceted opportunities for children to explore, experiment, and grow in a safe, nurturing environment. Our curriculum focuses on developing positive self-image, creativity, problem-solving skills, and cooperative social abilities while improving physical coordination and communication.We emphasize parent involvement as partners in education, recognizing families as the first and most influential teachers. Our practices are grounded in early childhood development research, with continuous evaluation to reflect current educational understanding. Through structured play and exploration, we prepare children for elementary school success while fostering joy in learning.
Services
3 Year Old Program
4 Year Old Program
Two's Playgroup
4 Year Old Extension Program
Highlights and features
- We offer parent-led cooperative education with active family involvement
- Our curriculum emphasizes play-based learning through structured exploration
- Experienced teachers implement research-backed early childhood development practices
- We maintain low student-teacher ratios for personalized attention
- Community partnerships provide enriched educational experiences
What people say
Dedicated teachers
Engaging play-based curriculum
Strong parent involvement
Nurturing environment
Community-focused approach
Services
3 Year Old Program
Structured play-based learning for three-year-olds develops foundational skills through exploration and social interaction. Our curriculum builds creativity, motor skills, and early academic concepts while maintaining small class sizes for personalized attention. Parents participate in classroom activities and school operations.
4 Year Old Program
Advanced play-based curriculum prepares four-year-olds for elementary school with enhanced academic focus and social development. Activities emphasize problem-solving, cooperative learning, and early literacy/math skills while maintaining our community-oriented educational approach with parent involvement.
Two's Playgroup
Developmentally appropriate play activities introduce two-year-olds to structured learning environments. The program focuses on sensory exploration, motor development, and early socialization while providing parent education opportunities through cooperative participation.
4 Year Old Extension Program
Additional enrichment activities extend learning for four-year-olds with specialized projects and advanced skill development. This program builds on core concepts through extended exploration while maintaining our play-based educational philosophy and parent partnership model.
People
Claire Baushke
Young 5s Teacher Aide / 3s and 4s Teacher
Certified educator with over a decade of experience at the Co-op, specializing in play-based early childhood education and curriculum implementation.
Charissa Keller
Teacher
Experienced preschool educator since 2022, passionate about fostering children's natural curiosity and creating joyful learning environments.
Laura Koch
Playgroup Leader
Early childhood specialist with diverse teaching experience, bringing innovative approaches to play-based learning and family engagement.
Kristin Bingham
Teacher
Newly joined faculty member in 2024, combining personal parenting experience with professional expertise in child development and special needs support.
Jess Daniels
Teacher
Dance educator transitioning to preschool teaching, bringing creativity and movement-based learning approaches to early childhood education.
Questions
What programs do you offer for different age groups?
We offer programs for 2-year-olds (Playgroup), 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and an extended program for 4-year-olds focusing on advanced skills.
How does parent involvement work in the cooperative?
Parents participate in classroom activities, join committees, and serve on the Executive Board while meeting annual fundraising requirements.
What is your educational philosophy?
Our play-based approach emphasizes natural learning through exploration, developing social skills, creativity, and academic readiness in a nurturing environment.
Are scholarships available for tuition assistance?
Yes, we offer partial tuition scholarships to families who demonstrate financial need through a separate application process.
What are the tuition payment terms?
Monthly tuition payments are due on the 15th of each month from August through April, with the first payment covering September.
