The whole point of a cooperative school is to recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children.
That's exactly the point Marcy Smith, president of Dexter Cooperative Nursery School, wants to get across to area parents.
The Dexter Cooperative Nursery School was founded in 1984. It is a non-profit preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds.
The school is located in the education building next to Dexter United Methodist Church. The classroom consists of two large classrooms, a large playroom equipped with indoor climbing structures and a large outdoor play structure.
"We have been providing a quality early education experience for children and parents in Dexter for nearly 20 years," Smith said.
The co-op's open house is scheduled for March 13 - a good opportunity to come and learn about their approach.
Smith says the school encourages mothers and fathers to share their interest and talents in the classroom, as well as on the co-op board of directors and committees.
"These direct parental efforts and involvement make the cooperative a unique educational opportunity," she said.
Smith warns that a cooperative preschool demands "a great deal" more time, effort and commitment from parents, but says the benefits pay ample dividends after the fact.
Parents get to hone their parenting skills, share ideas and concerns about child rearing, broaden their understanding of child development, and improve communication skills and child-guidance strategies.
"It's also a chance to develop relationships with other families, teachers and children in the community," Smith said.
More importantly, children in the co-op enjoy a safe and stimulating learning environment that promotes physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
"In line with traditional cooperative philosophy, DCNS is directed, maintained and supported by its members," Smith said.
The classes, typically consisting of 15 students in the 3's program to 18 students in the 4's program, are taught by certified teachers with three parents assisting in the classroom.
"Both of our teachers attended the Dexter Co-op with their children," Smith said.
Joan Vladuchick and Pam Wittenberg are the co-op's teachers.
"All three of my children attended the Co-op so I spent six wonderful years there and met some great people who are now very good friends," Wittenberg said. "I am a great fan of the Dexter Co-op Nursery School."
Not much has changed from the parents' perspective, according to Debbie Moorman of Dexter.
"I think the thing that sets the Dexter Co-op apart from other preschools is the parent involvement in the classrooms," Moorman said.
"It makes a wonderful support system for the children who come to rely on all the parents, and the parents who rely on each other.
"We moved here not knowing anyone and came away making some of our best friends," she added. "I don't think that would have happened for us at a conventional preschool."
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