Our classes are designed to give children more independence each year, which means class structure and caregiver responsibilities change as children age.
We’ve highlighted some of the ways co-op preschool classes differ in the table below.
| NSC Toddlers Class | U-Ravenna Pre-3s Class | U-Ravenna 3-5s Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Range of Children | 1-2 years old | 2-3 years old | 3-5 years old |
| Number of Days Class Meets | Once/week | Twice/week | Four times/week |
| Number of Days Caregivers Work in Class | Once/week | Once/week | Once/week |
| Number of Hours Caregivers Have Free Each Week | None | Two hours/week, on the day when your child is in preschool without you | Nine hours/week, on the days when your child is in preschool without you |
| Caregiver Participation in Class | Move through the day with your child | Work at an assigned station, both inside and outside; this set up dictates less interaction between caregivers during class than in the Toddlers Class as the focus is on the children coming to the stations | Work at an assigned zone, both inside and outside, that may include multiple stations; this set up dictates even less interaction between caregivers during class than in the Pre-3s Class as the focus is on the children at stations in a larger zone |
| Caregiver Emergency Substitution Requirements | Not needed since your child is not at school without you | Approximately once every other month, each caregiver needs to be available to step in and work in class on their non-work day in case a caregiver or their child falls ill in the hours before class | Approximately once a month, each caregiver needs to be available to step in and work in class on one of their non-work days in case a caregiver or their child falls ill in the hours before class |
| Caregiver Education | Scheduled during class time; class is split into two groups, and each group has their parent education on alternating weeks | Scheduled during monthly parent meetings; our Parent Educator is also in class once a week, alternating between Tuesdays and Fridays, to observe, participate with the children, and be available to parents as needed, during appropriate times | Scheduled during monthly parent meetings; our Parent Educator is also in class once a week, alternating between the four class days, to observe, participate with the children, and be available to parents as needed, during appropriate times |
| Circle Time | Two short ones | One longer one | Two longer ones |
| Snack | Bring for class | Bring for class | Bring for class |
| Snack Tables | Not assigned; sit where you want | Children and caregivers sit at same table every class | Children sit at same table every class; caregivers rotate which table they are assigned to every week |
| Small Group Activity | None | Caregivers plan small group activities beginning mid-year | Caregivers plan small group activities all year |
| Bathroom Buddies | None | Each caregiver is assigned a child who needs help with diaper changes or potty on the day the child’s caregiver isn’t working; two adults must be with a child in the bathroom | Caregivers assist as needed with diaper changes or potty; two adults must be with a child in the bathroom |
Now that you’ve finished the Orientation Tour, we recommend you check out our private Member Site. As a member of our preschool, you have access to our private Member Site. Here you’ll find our school calendar, our school directory, quick access to our Handbooks, and more. We’ve tried to make it a quick and handy reference.
Keep up with everything going on at our preschool through our private Member Site.
