Co-op Preschool and Screening Caregivers

At our coop there is no one I wouldn't trust with my daughters! No one is screened except for the teachers. All the parents are registered students with the local community college. Our building is secured with a front desk staff and you need a pass or your drivers license to get in. Children are signed in, signed out, and counted at recess and during fire drills. If our parent to student ratio is too low school is cancelled that day, and at all times two parents must be with a child going to the bathroom unless irbid your own child. Our kids go to the bathroom in the classroom behind just a curtain.

I love coop, I went myself as a child and are now there with our youngest again! Being on the board helps me know more about the school, teachers, policies, and lets me be more involved in and help make decisions about my Childs education. The parent education is great, the friendships I have with the other moms are invaluable, and it fosters a real sense of family and belonging, usually for life! Most of the people who do coop are protective involved parents, not untrustworthy people at all, Quite the opposite to be exact!

I think the idea is that most PARENTS who participate in a co-op preschool will treat your children like they treat their own children - with love and respect. I was in a co-op preschool for a couple months and the parents are usually with the group helping the teachers. I decided I didn't want a co-op environment because I wanted the time the time off - not to be around kids. Yes, you are being irrational. Many new parents with young kids are, though. When I think back to the issues I agonized over when my firstborn was an infant and toddler I feel a little stupid.

Interesting question. My girls have been in a co-op preschool this year and we have been very happy. That said, I never thought to ask your question and I think it is a good one (even though I've had *zero* concerns about my girls in school and the involved parents).

I do know that I can stay every day with my girls if I choose to -- I don't have to leave. Also, on days that I do leave, I generally bring them inside and take them to the bathroom myself. They do also go to the bathroom with the other teachers and moms. I am actually going to use your question as a discussion topic with the school because, while I have trusted all the parents, who is to say that in the future there might be an untrustworthy one in another classroom of kids? I like and support the idea that only the teachers can be on bathroom duty ... and this is from a mom who has helped other children go to the potty at the school.

Thanks for raising this topic.

I am going through the same situation...we are planning to send our son to a co-op preschool in the fall. We asked about screening/fingerprinting and were told that they're not required by law because the school day is only 2 1/2 hours. We were also told that the parent helpers are never alone with the kids ever (say, in the bathroom), that it's always a staff member. I plan to be on the school board and already know several parents involved in this school and who rave about it. I just plan to be involved as much as I can. Your concern isn't irrational at all, to be honest I have a hard time understanding why they don't just do the screening.

Both of my daughters went to a co-op preschool and a regular preschool and we loved them both. With the co-op, the parents were not finger printed, but we were also never left alone with the children. We were never allowed to take the children to the bathroom, only the teachers. There were 2 teachers for 20 children (if everyone came) plus 2 or 3 parent volunteers. I don't know about the short staffed bit. At our school, there always had to be 2 teachers at one time and the parents were there to help with activities, prep work, and having a better ratio for the little ones. I honestly found it very nice and an easier way to get to know other parents and your child's future friends.

Apparently there hasn't yet been an issue that has ended any co-op preschool in court. I think it would be wise for the co-op to have a background check process for the parents (not necessarily fingerprints). However, the goal of a co-op is to have all parents participate, so this could be an awkward situation for the school.
One responder mentioned that in the school her children attended, no one but teachers were allowed to take children to the bathroom or be in a situation alone with a child. In my experience, all situations with children present should be done in a way that there are two adults present at all times. And, when dealing with children in the bathroom, all efforts should be made to insure that the children take care of their own needs as much as possible so that a teacher isn't put in a postion of possibly being accused of any impropriety.
I would ask for a day to be able to visit the school with my child. That way you can observe closely how things are being handled, and if any of it doesn't feel right to you, let them know you won't be putting your child into their school and let them know your concerns. You may not change their way of doing things, but at least they'll have an opportunity to see their school from an outsider's perspective and if enough people feel the same as you do, they might want to re-consider their policies and proceedures.

I am un sure about "the co-op" school all I can do is recommend a wonderful school my son goes to, it is Creative Frontiers in CH, it is private, but has been the best thing ever for him! LOVE IT! good luck to you...

I have participated in two co-op preschools with my own children and have visited many others as a member of the state co-op preschool board of directors. It is not typical to do fingerprinting for the parent volunteers, only for the paid teachers/directors. In 8 years of volunteer service in the co-op I was never in a situation of being by myself with children. There were always other parents or teachers within view. Even if a situation arose regarding a child who needs help, the parent would go to get the director to deal with it rather than dealing with it by themselves. Co-op preschool is a wonderful, supportive environment which allows families to get to know each other as well as become closer to their children and their natural development. Even though my sons are now grown and off to college, I still know and treasure my friends from co-op. I encourage you to attend a session to observe and you will no longer be fearful.

I would never leave my kids with someone who wasn't background checked. Ever. My soon to be ex SIL might seem like a really nice lady, but she's a heroine addict who steals from people and has her son in her mom's care. I wish that I could trust people, but the sad issue is that you can't.