Summary
Contact Info
Magnolia Cooperative Preschool
3555 W McGraw St.
Seattle
, WA
98199
www.magnoliacoop.org
Tel:
(206) 286-5922
Director:
Adele Anderson
adele@magoliacoop.org
Admissions Director:
membership@magnoliacoop.org
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
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Co-op |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
16:1 |
| School year |
9/1/2006 - -1/-1/-1 |
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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| Quality of teaching |
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| Development of social skills and work habits |
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| Home-school connection |
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| Parent community |
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| Discipline |
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| Facilities |
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| Health |
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| Safety |
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| Handling of separation |
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Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
11
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
16:1
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| Average tenure for teachers |
10 yrs.
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% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
100%
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Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.3) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Music room |
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Playground
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
We love this preschool experience. Our teachers have been great. They are so caring and supportive. My wife attended this preschool as a child 38 years ago. We have three other parents in our toddler class who attended this preschool. Our daughter's development has been remarkable and she really looks forward to going school. This preschool has been wonderful asset to our family.
Parent #2
Great teachers who really take time to get to know each child. Teachers work hard to introduce new experiences and ideas to children, allowing free expression and exploration. Parents are teacher's assistants in each class, and that's the biggest area of concern for me. Some parents are only concerned with their own children, and seem to ignore other children in their care.
Parent #3
Great!
Parent #4
The school offers an opportunity to get know many people with similar aged children in the community. Also, the school offers helpful parent education.
Parent #5
The main issue with the school is simply the co-op model--parents who want to drop off students and not regularly work in the classroom will be interested in a different type of program. There is a high-level of parent involvement, many parents have all of their children attend the co-op throughout the years. This aspect can be a little intimidating for brand-new parents, but my experience has been positive in general. It is a play-based program at my child's level (2 years old) but is very supportive of her development by encouraging her to follow her interests/passions.
Parent #6
Teachers are extremely committed to their teaching methods and philosophy which is that at this age children need most to learn about getting along in groups and need the freedom to experiment socially and academically in an age appropriate way. I.e., youngest children are strongly encouraged to use gross motor, paint. It's wonderful for parents who want an active role in thier kids' education and meet other families and does require a bit more time that other 'drop-off' programs but worth it!
Parent #7
The parent community is truly amazing - many develop life long friendships from when their children started in co-op together. It's apparent when the children move onto the public schools who has been active in the co-op; these parents are willing to volunteer and help in the classroom,fundraise, etc - because that's what we've been doing during the preschool years. Being in the Magnolia Co-op may not be for everyone because of the parental involvement and commitment required, but almost everyone I know who has attended preschool there has nothing but positive comments!
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
A Place for both Parent and Child
The cooperative preschool is unique in that you and your child enroll in the program together. When your child is a toddler, you both attend class one day a week. By the time your child is in the 4’s or Pre-Kindergarten program (Pre-K) class, he or she attends class four days a week and you only go to one class per week.
There are many benefits from this involvement: parents and children share in a high quality preschool program, there is a gentle and gradual transition to the independence of the kindergarten ready child, and parents learn a great deal about early childhood issues and education along the way.
Through years of involvement with this group of children and parents, a community develops. The network of parents, as resources and support, lasts far beyond the preschool years.
The Magnolia Cooperative Preschool was started over thirty years ago and is the oldest and largest cooperative in Seattle. We employ four teachers, conduct twelve classes and have been at the same location since 1966.
Program Emphasis
The emphasis of our program is the social development of the child. Of primary importance is the building of a child’s positive self-image, self-esteem and self-confidence. We strive to create a warm, accepting atmosphere for children to explore their world through art, music, stories and play. Small and large motor skills are developed through a wide variety of carefully chosen toys, games, puzzles, activities, projects, climbers and riding equipment. All classes have enrichment funds, which are used to incorporate special learning experiences. The program builds as the children are older: 3’s, 4’s and Pre-K classes offer natural science projects, cooking, and field trips. 4/5 and Pre-K classes have kindergarten readiness activities and personal safety instruction.
Overall, we feel strongly that the best social, intellectual and psychological gains are made through creative and cooperative play.
(from school website)
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.1) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
While we only have 1 teacher - 16 children, we have 8 adults present at everytime, so we are all co-teachers and almost as important as our 'lead teacher.' ( this is reference to the 2s year - as the children get older, there are less adults in the classroom) There are 4 paid teachers at Magnolia Co-op, and between them, they have almost 80 years of experience - all of their children went thru the co-op, and they have chosen to make this their career. As a part of the Seattle Central Community College program, we also have 2 advisors assigned to our school who are great parent educators and can help with specific issues, etc. Sometimes we don't use them enough! I think the most important thing about our preschool is that it is play based and really just focused on the social skills - they aren't going to learn how to read while they are there, but they certainly learn how to behave in a social setting and it gets them ready for kidnergarten so they are ready to learn when they get there. Magnolia Co-Op is one of the oldest co-ops in Seattle ( over 30 years), and I think that speaks for itself - it's truly a magical place!
Parent #2
In addition to the one teacher per classroom there are between 5 and 8 (dep. on class age) parents in class assistant teaching so there is a lot of 1:1 attention to each child and a lot of control of the class so the teacher can be most effective.
Parent #3
At my child's level (2 years old) the teacher regularly has many parents in the classroom assisting with supervision, so the ratio is one adult to two children. I am unaware of specifically scheduled parent-teacher conferences, but would feel comfortable talking to the teacher about my child.
Parent #4
Teachers we had have been top notch.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.5) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
In the Co-op, parents work in class with the child one day per week and do a small class job. Additional volunteer work and donations are requested but not required though most families are involved in doing something extra to support the school. Extremely strong parent community - in many ways the school serves as a heart of the whole neighborhood.
Parent #2
This co-op model consists of parents alternately working one day on, one day off with students in the classroom, so separation anxiety could be handled in a flexible manner, e.g. on my 'off' day, I could leave for shorter periods of time, building up to the whole session and was guided in the process by the teacher.
Parent #3
The Coop requires a parent to be a teacher's assistant in the classroom one day a week. So the drop-in/separation questions don't apply directly.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.1) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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| Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another
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Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
There is no formal visitor sign-in/sign-out procedure though parents sign children in and out. All areas are locked and with an adult:child ratio of between 2:1 and 3:1 and secured areas and procedures it feels very safe.
Parent #2
There is a strong emphasis on empathy-building and conflicts are generally viewed as a learning opportunity.
Parent #3
na
Parent #4
The Coop rents space from an aging church, which is responsible for the facilities, and doesn't always maintain the building as well as you'd hope. Coop board seems to have to spend tuition money to maintain building and systems.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.5) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.1) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
nope - it's just a basic waiting list. first come, first served.
Parent #2
Applications do not apply. It's a first-come, first-served waiting list.
Parent #3
Signed up early (at 2 months of age,) in utero is best!
Parent #4
Get on the list early
Parent #5
Repeatedly contacted the admissions person to check on our place on the waitlist.
Parent #6
No. There is a waiting list, and the lottery is handled fairly.
