Children's Community Center is a parent participation, cooperative preschool - the oldest continually operating cooperative preschool IN THE COUNTRY. We have a year-round, play-based, developmental program, directed and managed by parents in cooperation with a professional teaching staff. Since 1927, successive generations of parents have contributed their time, energy and love to maintain this healthy place for children to learn and grow.
The following video provides a great overview of CCC - an explanation of what we mean by play-based education, what parent participation means, some information about afternoon programs, and more. We are currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Applicants are required to attend a virtual information session and in-person tour at CCC within 6 months before applying.
The following video provides a great overview of CCC - an explanation of what we mean by play-based education, what parent participation means, some information about afternoon programs, and more. We are currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Applicants are required to attend a virtual information session and in-person tour at CCC within 6 months before applying.
Services
Our year-around morning preschool program is in session Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Each class (there are two - the Front Yard class and the Back Yard class) consists of 26 children and is supervised by a teacher-director. With the assistance of parents, the teacher-director plans and implements a program to meet the individual needs of the children.
Children's Community Center is the pioneer cooperative nursery school in California, and one of the first in the country. CCC has been operating continuously, if not always formally, since 1927. Several members of the College Women's Club of Berkeley who attended a seminar on child development that year started it on an experimental basis.
CCC is a play-based/developmental cooperative preschool. The curriculum, based on principles and beliefs about the way children grow and learn, was developed out of learning theories put forth by famous educators such as Jean Piaget and John Dewey. The prominent idea behind the developmental philosophy is that children at the preschool age learn best through play.
Applicants are required to attend a virtual information session and in-person tour at CCC within 6 months before applying. Please email us at tours@cccpreschool.org to schedule a tour. CCC strives to have a diverse community and welcomes all families. When filling the yards at CCC, our goal is to achieve a balance of ages, genders, extended care program needs, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and family structures.
CCC offers a 10% discount to families for second and subsequent children simultaneously enrolled in the preschool program (to be applied to program tuition and contracted extended care). Tuition and Extended Care fees are listed as the total annual cost divided into 10 equal monthly payments. Tuition invoices are emailed around the 21st.
Reviews (20)
Danielle W.
Oct 22, 2021
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This is the most amazing place for our daughter! The teachers are so experienced and kind and the grounds are gorgeous and magical. It has a view of the Bay and gardens all over. The indoor/outdoor flow of both "yards" (the Front Yard is for ~3-4 yr olds and Back Yard is for ~4-5 yr olds) makes it so that during Covid even the indoor spaces have a lot of air circulation. Everything is intentional with collaboration, development, exploration and kindness in mind. The coop structure has given my child so many trusted adults to build relationships with and I have loved getting to know the
Siouxsie M.
Oct 15, 2020
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I am updating my review, but still 5 stars. My little one has been at CCC for two years, and my older son graduated in 2014. I have never experienced a learning community so rich, so nurturing, so real, or so joyful. Since it's been in existence for something like 90 years, CCC has honed its childcare philosophy and its routine to work like a well-oiled machine. Their Covid response has been AMAZING, and they are running, and actively enrolling, for Fall 2021!
This is the best place for kids to be kids (totally play-based), while also learning essential tools for cooperation, empathy, and
This is the best place for kids to be kids (totally play-based), while also learning essential tools for cooperation, empathy, and
Elisa L.
Oct 10, 2020
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This is the end of our first month at CCC but we already love it! The space is amazing- it feels like a magical wonderland built for preschoolers, full of pathways for kids to explore, dry river beds and natural objects for kids to build with and move around. There is also two patio spaces that teachers stock with art, pretend play and building supplies, trading things out and adding new elements to further kids learning and exploration. Teachers at CCC have proven true masters, striking the amazing balance of guiding and adding to students discovery of the world through play and standing back
Bonnie C.
Oct 09, 2020
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I feel grateful to CCC every single morning when I drop my kid off at preschool there. Her teachers have been teaching 2- to 4-year-olds at CCC for 21 and 31 years now, respectively (!!!) and I'd be hard pressed to believe you could find more consistently empathetic, playful, energetic teachers who show up with their whole hearts every. single. day., including on days when wildfire/poor air quality/pandemic make an in-person preschool program seem nearly impossible to sustain.
I've always been a big fan of the cooperative model, and as a parent-teacher co-op, CCC (which is one of the
I've always been a big fan of the cooperative model, and as a parent-teacher co-op, CCC (which is one of the
Nora F.
Oct 08, 2020
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CCC is a special, beautiful place where kids are seen for who they are and encouraged to explore the world around them. I'm a parent of two kids -- one who was a student at CCC in 2003 (!) and another who is a current student -- and CCC has been instrumental in my own development as a parent and member of the kind of community in which we all want to live. The teachers bring their whole selves to the school, modeling for the kids what it means to be a friend, a helper and an essential part of a community. We love CCC!
Alex D.
Oct 01, 2020
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My child has learned so much about how to explore his own interests at the same time as learning how to part of a group. The teachers are so good at setting caring boundaries and learning how to support each student. Also, as a co-op, CCC does an excellent job of running itself with a high level of continuity in administration, while simultaneously building community among the families as well as students
Mike C.
Dec 09, 2019
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This preschool has provided an essential foundation for my two kids as well as for our us as parents. Being a co-op, there is a time commitment of 1 morning/week, as well as other duties, which have allowed me to not only see my own kids engage and interact, but to learn from other kids, parents and, most of all, the excellent teachers. The school is play-based, which should not be mistaken for "just having fun and not learning." The social skills my kids (and I) have learned through their interactions during play and with the guidance of the teachers have helped all of us well beyond
Bella H.
Nov 19, 2019
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We absolutely love CCC. We have been at this school for 3 years. First my daughter went through the Front Yard ( 3-4 yo) and into the Back Yard (4-5yo) and then my son. He is now in the Back Yard and we are already sad we don't have another year to continue. I feel like no school ever again will be as amazing for my kids as CCC is. The teachers are amazing. The grounds are beautiful and fun. The learning is all play based. The community is strong. We love the co-op model so much. I can highly recommend this place
Nisha B.
Nov 19, 2019
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Our 3yr old loves coming to CCC. The grounds are beautiful, plenty of opportunity for outdoor play, climbing trees etc. What we love the most about CCC is how the entire curriculum is play based, respectful and inclusive. The main focus is on emotional and social development. I especially love how the teachers work hard to ensure that from an early age kids are gently taught to be inclusive no matter what the gender or race or economic background along with laying the foundation for social responsibility. As a co-op model the parents and teachers work together on making all this happen. We are
Laura K.
Nov 18, 2019
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CCC is beyond amazing! From the incredible staff to the amazing community of families, we truly feel that we got so incredibly lucky to find this setting for our child! it is so inspiring the way in which children that are so diverse in all respects all thrive in this environment. There is nothing but respect for each child's individuality and development. This was our family's first experience in a co-op and we are finding it both enriching and educational. It is hard to gush enough about CCC because it really is so fantastic!
David S.
Nov 15, 2019
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We absolutely love CCC. Our kids are thriving -- they're physically challenged and entertained, and also emotionally supported and nurtured. CCC has a non-bias curriculum and they practice what they preach. Every activity and circle-time and meeting are intentional, and they advance and vary throughout the school year as the kids learn new skills and develop their physical abilities/compassion/sharing/understanding of bigger themes. I could go on and on and on about the teachers. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!!!! It is also pretty unique and special to be able to spend one morning a week in the classroom
Lisa H.
Nov 03, 2019
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My youngest daughter attended CCC as a three- and four-year-old. She is now in middle school and we still feel lucky that she was able to set her foundational understanding of herself in relation to peers and non-family adults at this school. In addition to getting children ready for Kindergarten and loving learning, this school teaches children how to: stay in touch with who they are; be compassionate with others; be confident; use one's imagination; and develop critical thinking skills. This is taught through free play, storytelling, community, the high adult child ratio (which
Genevieve F.
Aug 26, 2019
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We had a heartbreaking experience here. I never imagined I would be lied to by people I respected so much and worked so closely with. We really experienced the shortcomings of the co-op model, where inexperienced board members were in charge of some pretty serious stuff and there was no administration to hold teachers accountable. We left when the teachers insisted lying to us was necessary "to protect" our child. I have since learned that we are not the only family to have our hearts broken at this school. It is wonderful for the privileged ones who make it through- the rest of us are
Julie C.
Jul 30, 2019
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CCC is an amazing preschool. If you're looking for a co-op preschool, look no further. The kids are treated with respect. They are allowed to explore and chose the activities that they want to do. I love that they let the kids play in the mud and get dirty. There are amazing art activities such as sewing, drawing, painting, print making, etc. They offer blocks, dress up materials, sensory bins, doll houses, trikes, sand toys, swings, and so much more.
The teachers are the best and have been there for many years and low turnover is a sign of high quality child care.
Since the parents work
The teachers are the best and have been there for many years and low turnover is a sign of high quality child care.
Since the parents work
Gwendy D.
Jul 23, 2019
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CCC is truly paradise for preschoolers - a place they can play: get dirty, explore nature, have incredible long-time teachers guide so many art, gardening, building, cooking, music and other projects, build friendships and social-emotional skills, all within a strong community committed to diversity and inclusion. We've sent both of our kids to CCC and can't imagine their or our lives without it. As parents we have learned so much about how to support 3-5 year olds, both our kids and others, and build our own friendships and bonds. There is simply nothing like CCC!
Alexis G.
Oct 13, 2016
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We just started kid #2 at CCC and it as every bit as good as I remember it was with our first (who is now in kindergarten). There's a lot that makes CCC a fantastic preschool, but ultimately it's communicated in the name: CCC is truly a community. The parents, teachers, and alumni are all committed to the school and that commitment really shows in the campus and the way the classes come together. Every year some of the parents (and teachers!) went to CCC themselves, so there is truly a sense of history and love for the place. The cooperative structure allows parents to get to know
Daniel B.
Sep 14, 2016
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This school has been a wonderful place for us to send our daughter and to participate in the community over the last two years. The teachers are caring and experienced professionals that give each child the personal attention they need. The curriculum there has made obvious improvements in my child's social skills, educational development and ability to handle adversity.
The cooperative model does require a significant effort from the parents. You have one participation day a week as well as an outside job and occasional weekend events and work parties. However, I found that it was well worth
The cooperative model does require a significant effort from the parents. You have one participation day a week as well as an outside job and occasional weekend events and work parties. However, I found that it was well worth
John C.
May 19, 2016
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CCC is a wonderful place for children to grow and thrive. The cooperative model requires a larger parental commitment than other school models, but then again, that commitment translates to a deeper relationship with your own child, the other children there, the teachers and the other parents. It is indeed a community-focused, play based environment where child development is paramount.
We have three children, each of whom have had a different pre-school experience. I fervently wish that we had found CCC for our middle child, as the love, care and attention here at this school would have greatly
We have three children, each of whom have had a different pre-school experience. I fervently wish that we had found CCC for our middle child, as the love, care and attention here at this school would have greatly
Liza M.
May 12, 2016
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We have been very happy at CCC. I disagree strongly with the previous review - well, it is pretty 'Berkeley and hippy', if by that you mean a community of parents and staff who are committed to teaching and demonstrating things like peaceful resolution of conflicts, diversity in all its forms, and exploration, imagination, and creativity.
CCC is a parent-teacher co-operative, which means parents work alongside professional teachers in the classroom one morning a week. That does require commitment - both of your time, and to a 'co-operative' model. If you are looking for
CCC is a parent-teacher co-operative, which means parents work alongside professional teachers in the classroom one morning a week. That does require commitment - both of your time, and to a 'co-operative' model. If you are looking for
Baybay W.
Nov 30, 2015
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