• Is a cooperative school feasible for working parents?
• How is discipline handled in this school?
• How much time must a parent put in to the school?
• What kinds of snacks are served at the school?
• Does my child have to be potty trained?
• Is there a religious component to the preschool?
• What is the cut off birth date to enter each class?

Is a cooperative school feasible for working parents?
Yes, it can be. We have many parents at our school who work outside of the home. Many find their workplaces are willing to work with them so that they are able to assist in the classroom for three hours, one or two times a month. Some parents will trade off with their spouse so they can both be involved and well informed about their child’s school. Participating in the classroom often gives working parents an added peace-of-mind.

How is discipline handled in this school?
We believe positive modeling and redirection are the most appropriate and effective techniques, especially for this age group. We do not use time-outs or physical punishment at our school. If there are issues of special concern, we will work closely with the parents and will even bring in an outside expert to observe and offer advice if warranted. Rest assured, providing a safe and happy environment for all of our children is our top priority.

How much time must a parent put in to the school?
Apart from assisting in the classroom, we ask that parents get involved in the school in a way that: 1) allows them to contribute according to their specialized skills and interests; 2) works best for them in terms of time and scheduling; 3) helps the school and benefits everyone. Fifteen hours over the year is a good guideline, but we do not want parents to get too hung up on a specific number. One parent might really want to publish the newsletter, even though that specific job may be more than fifteen hours over the course of the year. Some parents might volunteer for fours hours one afternoon to build a bike path. Most of the time, we have sign up sheets when something comes up, and parents decide for themselves what they want to do.

What kinds of snacks are served at the school?
We serve healthy (and hopefully pleasing!) snacks to the children every morning they attend. We do not serve junk food or high sugar snacks. A snack schedule is always posted and we do take into account and plan for any special dietary needs. Some examples of snacks are apples and peanut butter, or banana bread and pears.

Does my child have to be potty trained?
No. We have diaper-changing facilities and regularly scheduled changing times. If you are trying to potty train, we will work with you to try and aid the process.

Is there a religious component to the preschool?
No. We simply rent St. George’s Sunday school rooms during the week. Although no specific religion is taught, we do invite parents to help us celebrate their heritage in various ways throughout the year. One parent may teach a cooking lesson with foods from India, another may demonstrate a customary dance from Scotland.