THE VILLAGE COOPERATIVE
“Our job is too difficult and too beautiful to do alone.”
-Amelia Gambetti, Reggio Emilia
We are a licensed community preschool co-op where the magic of childhood is celebrated and protected.
In a warm and enriching home space, children can come as they are and thrive.
ABOUT
Welcome to our village and thank you for your interest in our school. Our co-op invites parents to be involved in their child’s experience. We are a Reggio and Waldorf inspired school and believe that children are able to learn best when they feel supported, safe and confident. In a warm and enriching home environment full of play and fun, relationships are formed and developmental skills flourish. Our job is to provoke the natural wonder that preschool age children have and explore the possibilities that their ideas can take us. The curious mind of a child leads to infinite possibilities...what is your child interested in?
FAQ
WHAT IS THE STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO?
Each day we have a teacher, teacher’s assistant, and parent volunteers. What makes us special, as a cooperative, is that there are many adults working together to give each child the support they need. Children at this special age have so many questions, thoughts and feelings to share. We weren't meant to raise children alone, and children benefit from having many trusted and caring adults in their village. The student to teacher ratio will not exceed 6:1, yet almost always, the ratio will be much better.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL BE SPENT OUTDOORS?
Our classroom is open to fresh air and we will spend most of our time in our outdoor classroom with plenty of free space to explore under the canopy of mature trees. We believe that children thrive in a natural environment. Playschool friends will be finding pirates treasure in sand and making mud pies, building structures with sticks, painting with flower brushes, experimenting with water, swinging, climbing, bird watching, planting seeds, tending to a garden, and making forts. Sunlight and fresh air are of utmost importance to us and we will play outside rain or shine so be prepared on rainy days with rain boots and jackets for some puddle jumping adventures.
WHAT DOES “COOPERATIVE” MEAN FOR THE SCHOOL?
We know that children benefit when parents and teachers work together. Our philosophy values involvement from parents and so we have created a program where parents can be part of our school through volunteering and village gatherings. We will share your child’s learning with you through documentation (photos and writing). You will see where your child’s ideas led us that day, the long term projects we are working on, the quotes they said, and examples of their learning process.
WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON DISCIPLINE?
We know that the word discipline means “to teach” and at this magical time in childhood, children do not see the world the same adults do. We understand that undesirable behavior can be a sign of a need not met. Whether that be hunger, tiredness, loneliness, needing space or to explore, our experienced teachers are aware and respect each child’s feelings. Pouring out a cup of water on the table is not a sign of “naughtiness” but perhaps a simple experiment to see which way the water will flow. We respect each child as an individual and feel that autonomy is of utmost importance. Simple gestures like “connecting before correcting” are important for children, and adults too! Children will be gently guided. We will model grace, through calm and kind words as that is what we hope to receive from our children. In our village cooperative, all teachers and parent volunteers will follow this philosophy of discipline. Books, podcasts, and other resources will be shared as resources as needed.
WHAT DOES REGGIO AND WALDORF INSPIRED MEAN?
In general, there are five principles and concepts that experts contend are critical in the Reggio Emilia educational approach:
1. Children are competent, curious, have great potential and are eager to relate with others and their environment.
2. Emergent Curriculum: Curriculum is developed largely by the interest of the children, and from subjects known to interest children (ie: water play, dinosaurs) Teachers develop the curriculum based on what would be best for the class.
3. Learning is project-based and in-depth. Projects can last from one week to an entire school year. Teachers are partners in the learning process.
4. 100 Languages of Children: New ideas and concepts are introduced in multiple formats such as print, art, drama, and puppetry so that all children have a chance to connect with the concepts being presented.
5. Collaboration and cooperation are seen as necessary for a child’s cognitive development. Groups are encouraged to work together to problem solve. Each child’s voice is heard to create a balance between belonging to a group and a sense of self.
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Critical thinking skills, emotional and social intelligence and kinesthetic, hands-on learning are cornerstones of Waldorf education.
Waldorf education cultivates three principal faculties in children: thinking, feeling, and doing, often described as “head, heart, and hands.” Head refers to the ability to think clearly and independently. Heart refers to the capacity for feeling emotionally connected to one’s work and the world at large. Hands refers to the willingness to take action to achieve one’s goals and to contribute to the world.
Waldorf education is also designed to produce balanced, well-rounded individuals, with a curriculum that is both integrated and developmentally appropriate. By integrating academic learning, physical activity, appreciation for all subjects and moral responsibility, it cultivates the body, mind and spirit. It is also highly cognizant of the various stages of children’s development, meeting and challenging students in ways most suited to the child’s particular age and experience.
Waldorf education answers the call of forward-thinking families who sense that their children will need more than just a store of information to succeed in our rapidly changing world.
WILL LUNCH BE SERVED?
Sitting and eating together is important in our village as it strengthens the bond between us. Also there is much to be learned and discussed at the table. Students will learn to help set and clear the table as well as practice good manners while eating together. We will give the students an opportunity to share a story if they want to at this special time and we will practice listening when others are talking. An organic fresh snack will be provided each day like fruit, hard boiled eggs, rice with lentils, sliced apples with cinnamon, and popcorn with avocado oil and nutritional yeast. Some days we will ask each family to bring a piece of fruit and students can practice their chopping and peeling skills while making a fruit salad. Other days we may ask to bring a vegetable contribution from home and we’ll make stone soup. There will also be an opportunity daily to eat a lunch packed from home at the table together.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Located in a quiet neighborhood in Mission Viejo off Jeronimo and Marguerite, our village is shaded by beautiful mature trees. There are plenty of open spaces, trees, birds, lizards, and flowers, and a tree house for the children to explore and enjoy.
