|
Click here for the Members
Only Section - you must have a password to view this page
Starting in the fall,
Fort Collins
Preschool is adding a new afternoon class!
It is
4 days a week, M, TU, W, TH from 1 pm - 4 pm.
If you are
looking for a coop experience in the afternoon,
or a 4 day a
week preschool, here's your chance!
The Fort Collins Preschool still has openings in the 3-year-old
class. Our
4-year-old class is full. If you are interested in being put
on a waitlist, please contact the preschool.
The Fort Collins Preschool is a
non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1952. It is the
oldest preschool in Fort Collins.
The Preschool is located in west central
Fort Collins at 1200 S. Taft Hill Road.
The cooperative nature of the preschool
allows parents on a rotating basis to assist teachers:
- Providing snacks
- Assisting with instruction and supervision
- Maintaining classroom area
Some committee
service is also required, for example: toy sanitizing, fundraising,
social events coordinators, etc.
Security of the students is of utmost
importance. Students
are signed in and out only by authorized parents or guardians.
Scholarships Available
Fort
Collins Preschool offers full and half scholarships for families
in need. These scholarships are funded by Temple Buell Foundation. Scholarships
are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you love
our school, but cannot afford it, please consider applying for
a scholarship!
Choosing a Preschool
Increasing evidence shows
that children absolutely gain from going to preschool. They are
exposed to letters and numbers, writing and counting, colors and
shapes, but most importantly they learn social competence: how
to be part of a group; how to take turns; how to raise their hands;
how to share the teacher’s attention;
and how to have and to be a friend.
Surprisingly, play promotes
learning. Physical
play helps children develop perceptual, motor and cognitive skills. Creative
play helps children develop problem solving skills, social competence,
and helps children to understand their feelings. Early childhood
teachers use carefully selected materials to maximize the play environment.
In addition to an enhanced environment, preschools provide the opportunity
for the socialization necessary to early learning. While it
is possible to provide your child with many opportunities to practice
social skills, it is difficult to duplicate the kind of group interactions
children encounter in a preschool setting.
The National Institute for
Early Education Research (NIEER) has found that 66% of four year
olds and over 40% of three year olds were enrolled in an early
education program in 2005. Over
40 states now offer funded preschool programs. These programs
meet state standards developed by the National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and cross referenced with Head
Start standards. Evaluations of these programs have demonstrated
a significant increase in children’s language skills and a
substantial reduction in the need for special services in all settings. Children
enrolled in quality programs whose parents were involved showed the
greatest gains in language development. High quality preschool programs
generate $3.00 in benefits for every $1.00 invested.
Preschool is the foundation
for a child’s
education. The skills and knowledge, not to mention aptitudes
and attitudes, developed in early childhood will have dramatic impact
on future success in later school years. Preschool helps children
to develop a sense of mastery and self esteem. Children gain
confidence when learning is easy and fun. If the proper foundation
is not set, a child may struggle in school and eventually in life.
Begin investigating options
as early as possible. Quality
schools fill up fast. Some options include, private schools,
child care centers, district funded preschool, religious schools
and parent cooperatives. Check to be sure the school is licensed
insuring the facility meets minimal safety and staffing standards. Ask
about accreditation from NAEYC or evaluation through Qualistar. Schools
are carefully evaluated on curriculum, teacher qualifications, parent
partnerships, class size, and health and safety standards.
Call the schools you are
interested in. Ask
about hours, tuition, admission policies. Schedule a visit to each
school you are interested in. Visit with your child to see
how he/she responds to the environment.
When visiting each school look for the following:
What does the classroom look like?
Is it clean, neat, orderly and spacious? It should
be full of a variety of play and learning materials.
What does the play ground look like?
Is the equipment well kept? Is it fenced? Is it
easily supervised?
Ask about the discipline policies?
Discipline should be positive, helping children
to further their own self-discipline and to learn from mistakes.
Ask about the curriculum?
The curriculum should be
balanced between free play activities and teacher directed activities. Learning
should be imbedded in the daily routines and activities that are
planned.
Ask about the teachers?
What are their credentials
and training? How long have they been teaching? How long at this
school? Effective
preschool teachers are able to engage the child and offer lessons
through playful avenues. Ultimately the most important qualification
is the ability to instill a joy of learning that stays with their
young students for a lifetime.
Ask about adult-child ratios?
The lower the ratio of children to adults
the more time adults have to engage each child individually. For
4 year olds the ratios should be no more than 8-10 children for each
adult. For 3 year olds the ratios should be no more than 6
children for each adult.
Ask about toilet training policies?
If your child is not fully
toilet trained ask about policies. Typically preschools are not equipped to change
diapers but in a two or three hour program children may be allowed
to attend in diapers even if they are not completely trained. In
any case, all preschools understand there will be mistakes when a
skill is new and should work with you to help cement the concept
of toilet training.
Ask how parents are involved in the school?
How
much time will parents invest in school activities? Most preschools
operate on a thin budget and may ask parents to provide snacks, participate
in fundraising or plan major events. Many schools are fueled on parental
energies. Cooperative preschools require the most time commitment
hence usually have lower tuition. Being involved in the school
gives parents an opportunity to make new friends. This gives
families an enhanced sense of community which fosters children’s
overall well being.
|
