SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- When it comes to choosing a preschool, there are no shortage of choices in the Ozarks. The leaders of a unique one hope they can attract more children -- and their parents.
What separates Parents' Cooperative Preschool from the rest of the pack comes down to one thing -- how much the parents are involved. For parent Jill Trotman, the decision to send both her girls to the preschool was an easy one.
"It is just a wonderful transition and unique opportunity to be really welcome in your child's school and learning at such an early age," she said.
Parents of students come into the classroom once a month they also serve on a board. In turn, they play a major role in their child's first learning experience.
"I just love the concept of being able to come to the classroom and see what they are learning. I have a real nice feel for what their school day was like," Trotman said.
A group of stay-at-home moms formed Parents' Cooperative Preschool more than 30 years ago. It is a unique environment where parents learn as much as students.
"We really believe children learn through play. It is a very play-based program, but we also have all the academics there that children do need," said director Becky Luebbe.
Only a handful of preschool co-ops are in Missouri, and Parents co-op is the only one in Springfield. Nineteen students are enrolled but, to make ends meet, 30 is the magic number.
"If parents do choose to stay home, it is because they are making more choices in their life -- what we can afford this month and what we can not afford."
Word of mouth plays a major role in attendance here. About 90 percent of new students are brought in because they heard about it from a friend.
"Social media is the way to go. Besides Facebook, we are also working on our website and getting it updated and getting information out there," said Luebbe.
As for Trotman, she treasures her time here, saying it's a privilege to be a part of her child's school experience.
"It is just so neat to see them be so proud of what they learned and to be able to show me as a parent all the things that they get to do in school," she said.
If you are worried about the time commitment, parents are not the only ones who can come to class once a month. Luebee says grandparents, older adult sisters and brothers -- even baby sitters are welcome if parents can not make it.
Tuition is based on how many days the child attends class. It averages between $100 and $140 a month.
Here is a link to Parents' Cooperative Preschool's Facebook site and website.
