Twin Cities Cooperative Preschool

Reviews

• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  We did a lot of research on preschools, and eventually settled on TCCP because of its parent participation aspect. The basic idea is this: A few mornings a month, you go in to school with your child and help the full-time staff with the kids. It's a simple idea with tons of upsides: * With 3 to 4 full-time staff and 4-5 parents each day, the student-to-teacher ratio is fantastic (usually 3-to-1). That means each kid gets lots of individual attention--no child ever gets left behind or ignored. * There is no better way to keep on top of your kid's social development than to regularly see them in social situations. It's fascinating to be able to compare them with their peers, and by participating in their education, you can step in and guide them as needed. * Ever hear that it takes a village to raise a child? Well, TCCP is like that village: There are 25 other local families that know my kid very well and are personally invested in seeing her succeed. Likewise, I know 25 other preschool kids and I'm invested in seeing them doing well. It's an indescribably wonderful feeling to be walking in the neighborhood or at the store and have another parent come up to me and tell me what funny thing my child did at school that day, or something new my kid learned, or some difficulty she encountered that I might want to discuss with her. This is probably the biggest upside to the school, now that I think about it. * The school is focused on helping good parents become even better parents. Each day you go to the school, you learn new parenting tricks. Outside of school, there are lots of (free!) parent education opportunities, such as CPR classes and talks from child psychologists on stuff like sibling rivalry, conflict resolution, etc. The staff is also really good about offering gentle, appropriate tips as needed. * In some ways, parenting can be a lonely experience, but this preschool is a great way to meet other local parents. My wife and I have made lots of friends through the school, and I feel like these are meaningful friendships, gained through time and shared interests. * Considerably less expensive than other preschools--you "pay" for the school by donating some of your time. Other than the parent participation, TCCP has good facilities, a huge outdoor play space, and numerous indoor play rooms. Each week sees a new theme in each room, so the kids never get bored. Downsides? Just one: Time commitment. My wife and I work full time, but we have enough flexibility to take some mornings off as needed. It's not easy, but we make it work because we believe that TCCP is a great opportunity for our children. We could afford more expensive drop-em-off-and-pick-em-up schools, but I view our time spent at the school as an investment in our family and parenting skills. That said, if you can find the time, it's a no-brainer.
  By Kurt M, January 25, 2018
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  Amazing coop preschool! Best teachers, tons of great outside space, endless play options each day for kids, and more affordable than any other school you’ll find. Parents volunteer one morning each week and it creates a real communty for you and your child. Best preschool you’ll find in Marin - seriously!
  By Kari Reston, August 29, 2017

Photos