Admission: Parent responsibilities
Because AUCP is a cooperative preschool, families are expected to play a more active and participatory role in the life of the school than in many preschools or child care centers. AUCP is able to keep tuition costs low because we rely on parents to share the responsibilities for maintaining and improving the school and creating and enriching opportunities for all of our children.
When a family enrolls a child or children at AUCP, parents must agree to assume the responsibilities listed below. At AUCP you will co-op (or volunteer) in your child’s class at least once a month.
Classroom co-oping is a wonderful way to get to know your child’s teacher and other parents, observe and interact with your child’s classmates as they learn and play, and see first-hand the exciting experience your child is having at school.
Co-op (volunteer) in your own child's class an average of 1.3 times per month in the 2-day classes, two times per month in the 3-day classes, and 2 to 4 times per year in the enrichment classes. It is important to note that your co-oping obligations will increase if your child's class does not reach its maximum enrollment, although typically all classes are fully enrolled. Parents have the option of paying an AUCP parent substitute to assume up to 25% of their co-oping responsibilities per class, based on availability of substitutes.
Additionally, every other time you work in the classroom, you provide a snack and drink (or water) for all of the children in your child's class (except for Panda classes, where parents provide snacks for their own children). You also provide your child with a lunch for each class meeting. Co-oping parent's classroom responsibilities for the morning classes begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. or whenever daily required custodial duties have been completed. Similarly, co-oping responsibilities for the afternoon classes begin at 12:30 and end at 4:30. Co-oping hours in the infant/toddler room are from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Child development training. State regulations require that all co-oping parents receive eight hours of child development training each year. This training will occur at various times throughout the year: Back-to-School Night, weekends, during regular preschool hours, and evenings. AUCP tries to provide a convenient and flexible training schedule for all members.
Building and grounds maintenance. Provide approximately 4-7 hours of maintenance work on school, classrooms, and/or grounds per school year, depending on the number of enrolled children.
Meeting attendance. Attend the orientation meeting in September, the Back-to-School Night in October, the required training sessions throughout the year, and the annual meeting in February or March.
Work assignment. Serve on the Board of Directors or an assigned parent committee (e.g., Membership, Fundraising) or be responsible for a specific task in the school.
In addition, the school organizes several parent education and social functions that enhance AUCP's strong sense of community and are usually great fun.
Admissions Contact
Bethany Hardy, Membership Co-chair
202-277-3848
bethanyhardy@Mac.com
AUCP Address
4444 Arlington Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22204
703-892-3878
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