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The School: The Orinda Preschool is a cooperative preschool and a non-cooperative developmental kindergarten open to children of all races, creeds and nationalities. The school is licensed by the Department of Social Services, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and maintained by The Orinda Preschool, Inc., for the purpose of providing an environment especially adapted to the needs of preschool children. Our experienced and well-educated teachers supervise the program. In addition to the professional staff, several parents are scheduled to assist each day. First established in 1938 as a private non-cooperative school for supervised play, TOPS received its more official beginning as a licensed cooperative in 1943 with about thirty children in attendance. The school has been located on the property of the Orinda Community Church for more than forty years. The present facility was completed to our joint specifications in 1965. While the physical plant has been the product of our long and unique friendship with the Orinda Community Church, the broad program is the product of the wealth of talent and experience that is a cooperative school's strength. Children participate in experiences in art, math, dramatic play, music, science, language arts, outdoor play and cooking. Activities are presented in accordance with the developmental level of the children. The cooperative preschool also furnishes parents with opportunities for informal child study. In September 1983, a Developmental Kindergarten was added to provide a program for children who turn five by December 2nd of the year in which they are enrolled. The Two's Program was established in 1997.
What's a Co-op: In the cooperative preschool the parents participate on a regularly scheduled basis, and function as teachers' aides under the direct supervision of a credentialed classroom teacher. This affords parents the opportunity to observe their child and others at play, and observe the development of children of the same age. They also have the opportunity to talk with teachers about age-appropriate activities and receive information through our TOPS Speakers Series from experts in the child development field. As members of the Executive Board, TOPS parents are responsible for the overall functioning of the school. Parents make decisions regarding fundraising activities, enrichment activities, and physical maintenance of the school. They also provide resources for the Director and staff of the program. The cooperative aspect of TOPS is that the parents of the children attending the program make decisions and have input regarding the direction of the preschool program. The Director and Teachers are responsible for the day to day curriculum and the supervision of the children. The parents have input in all other areas of the preschool.
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