Ortonville – One of the first major decisions to make as a parent is to filter through the day care daze.
Who will care for your toddler as if he/she is their own child?
Who will sing to him, tie his shoe, snuggle on mittens, or allow him to choose that favorite nap time book?
Since 1972, Brandon Cooperative Preschool, 18 South St, Ortonville, has offered an option for early child development with intensive parental interaction
Under the extensive guidance of Judy Schwartz who has been teaching at the school for the past 11 years, cooperative preschooling gives both parents and children the advantage of working together in a setting where standards are set for child learning, growth, and development in a childhood situation rather than in an adult world.
‘I got involved (with the co-op) because of the parent involvement,? said Jennifer Hall adding that after extensive research and several positive recommendations, she placed her son at the co-op two years ago. Hall is also membership chair on the co-op board.
‘My son loves the school and especially Ms. Judy,? she said.
What is unique about a co-op run school is the facilities are parent-board based and under the direct guidance of a qualified child care instructor parents actively participate in the education, direct care, and development of their own children, as well as those within their own community.
Studies provided by Brandon co-op maintain that both children and parents benefit from having parent classroom participation because the parents get a firsthand look at their child in a group setting and the activities that are age appropriate. Parents then get a better understanding of how to develop age appropriate skills at home.
‘When parents are in the classroom they can see how to advance their child (with age appropriate development) and can extend those advances at home, Schwartz said.
As a parent-based board the cooperative facility revolves around parent involvement in administrative affairs, which further benefits the health of the facility.
Additionally, with parents working in the school tuition costs tend to be lower than traditional pre-schools.
‘When parents are in the classroom, directly involved, a lot of things get extra attention that otherwise might get missed,? said Schwartz. ‘For example procedurally, if a parent is an in-room assistant they tend to be more cautious about a lot of things.?
‘The parents are very generous in that respect. If they see a need for something they are very generous and see it is taken care of,? Schwartz said.
Parents find unexpected benefits from being involved with the co-op as well.
Working at the co-op has additional benefits for parents like Tracey Randall, board secretary who says living on a dirt road in Groveland Township gave her little opportunity to meet people.
Since enrolling her son in the school she’s formed community friendships and her son now has plenty of opportunity to socialize with children his own age.
Additionally, Schwartz says co-op facilities are finding that parents who work at the school tend remain involved in school activities with their children up through elementary school.
Should a family choose to enroll a child, however both parents work, Schwartz says other parents who are able to fill in will often do so.
Schwartz says the Brandon Cooperative still has room for the 2004-2005 season and those interested in enrolling their child should call Jennifer Hall at (248) 969-0345.