At West Linn Community Preschool, families participate in their child's transition to classroom learning. Parents run school operations and take turns helping in the classroom. We are honored to have you in class, and your children will love it, too! There are many ways to be involved in our school, and responsibilities vary across positions.
We strive to find a school job that fits each family's volunteering capabilities. Additionally, Teacher Cathy loves to incorporate activities into the classroom that highlight the skills, interests, and knowledge our parents bring to school each year. West Linn Community Preschool is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and a proud member of the Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO).
We strive to find a school job that fits each family's volunteering capabilities. Additionally, Teacher Cathy loves to incorporate activities into the classroom that highlight the skills, interests, and knowledge our parents bring to school each year. West Linn Community Preschool is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and a proud member of the Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO).
Services
West Linn Community Preschool (WLCP) is a co-op (or cooperative). A cooperative school is run by a parent community that helps in the classroom, is involved in decision-making and provides other support to ensure the school's operations. We are a non-profit organization comprised of families who take an active interest in their children's first educational experience.
We will be reaching out about the dates/times for pickups and deliveries as they become finalized. If you would like to contribute to the West Linn Community Preschool, please visit our Support page. West Linn Community Preschool has been the best place for both my son and I. With the cooperative experience, I get to transition with him!
Parents work with class representatives to schedule parent help days in the classroom approximately two days per month. These are the days you participate in your child's learning and exploration in the classroom.
Some examples of parent responsibilities during parent help shifts include snack preparation, set up of outdoor play areas, set up and monitoring of structured art activities, reading and playing with children, conflict management and communication building with children, monitoring and participating in outdoor play and large motor skill activities, clean up, and participation in circle time at the end of the day.
Some examples of parent responsibilities during parent help shifts include snack preparation, set up of outdoor play areas, set up and monitoring of structured art activities, reading and playing with children, conflict management and communication building with children, monitoring and participating in outdoor play and large motor skill activities, clean up, and participation in circle time at the end of the day.
How is a cooperative preschool different from other preschools? In a cooperative preschool, families are an integral part of the school's daily operations. At WLCP, family members serve as teaching assistants in the classroom and they support school operations through volunteering on the Executive Board, committees, or another School Job.
Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO) is a nonprofit of more than 60 cooperative preschools and kindergartens with a membership of 2,400 families and teachers whose purpose is to cross state and national boundaries sharing the philosophy that "children, parents and teachers go to school together, each learning from the other."
Reviews (14)
Mac G.
Apr 16, 2021
Report
We were so happy there was a co-op in West Linn when we moved here.
If you are considering a co-op you need to understand it's very different than a normal preschool. Yes, you will need to volunteer. Yes, you will need to fundraise. Yes, you will have a position to maintain.
But what your child and family will get back is immeasurable. It is a wonderful transition from being home with loving family to school. They are under the care of a wonderful teacher and other loving parents. They see you volunteer in school and they enjoy it tremendously. And you become an almost extended family
If you are considering a co-op you need to understand it's very different than a normal preschool. Yes, you will need to volunteer. Yes, you will need to fundraise. Yes, you will have a position to maintain.
But what your child and family will get back is immeasurable. It is a wonderful transition from being home with loving family to school. They are under the care of a wonderful teacher and other loving parents. They see you volunteer in school and they enjoy it tremendously. And you become an almost extended family
Jennifer Eustaquio
Aug 26, 2019
Report
We have had our child enrolled there since we first took the family class 2-3 years ago! We are still a part of the preschool and have just loved our experience with it. Our child has blossomed so much through his enrollment of this preschool. He has developed a love of learning and made several friendships through it.
As a parent of young children and someone who is not from this area, we have benefited from the cooperative aspect of the preschool through being able to build our network of families that we can rely on and through the friendships we have made :))
Such a great preschool for the
As a parent of young children and someone who is not from this area, we have benefited from the cooperative aspect of the preschool through being able to build our network of families that we can rely on and through the friendships we have made :))
Such a great preschool for the
Allison Haycraft
Aug 06, 2019
Report
I had the pleasure of attending West Linn Community Preschool many, many years ago and couldn't believe it was still going strong when I was looking for schools for my son. We had such an amazing experience and Teacher Cathy was the same loving, caring and kind teacher that she was when I had her. I think the biggest thing that makes this preschool stand out is the sense of community. You really get to know every family in your class and you become a support system for each other. This is all because of the amazing job Teacher Cathy does at building a sense of community within her school. She is
Laurel G.
May 31, 2019
Report
I'm so grateful my family found WLCP and the WLCP community. Teacher Cathy is patient, creative, and just a warm and wonderful human being. Her talent as a teacher goes beyond the art / music / activities in the classroom, and even shines in her interactions with both students and parents. It's truly a gift.
The co-op model has also been so rewarding for our family. We have made parent friends, gotten involved in our community, and love the comfort of knowing what days at school look like. A co-op is more work than a regular preschool - but the reward outweighs the effort. The friendships
The co-op model has also been so rewarding for our family. We have made parent friends, gotten involved in our community, and love the comfort of knowing what days at school look like. A co-op is more work than a regular preschool - but the reward outweighs the effort. The friendships
D. P.
Feb 04, 2019
Report
WLCP is a blessing to the community and has been for over 37 years. Cathy is amazing with the children. As a parent-run co-op, our families build a strong sense of community while the kids learn in a play based atmosphere. All families play a roll in the running of the school and sign up for positions they wish to hold during the school year. We have made wonderful friends the time we have spent and can not wait to return when our youngest is of school age.
Stephanie A.
Jun 22, 2018
Report
This preschool is a total scam!
We had addressed them plenty of times that we were in a financial struggle and all they offered was to slightly lower the price. Your child does not learn any curriculum whatsoever.
Also beware that the children who's parents are on the school board will not be told if they are doing something wrong.
The preschool also has a volunteer program, where I felt at the time was doing a lot, with a baby on my hip! Where was the teacher? Who knows! Plenty of other parents felt the same way as I did.
They also do an amazing fundraiser program which goes towards
We had addressed them plenty of times that we were in a financial struggle and all they offered was to slightly lower the price. Your child does not learn any curriculum whatsoever.
Also beware that the children who's parents are on the school board will not be told if they are doing something wrong.
The preschool also has a volunteer program, where I felt at the time was doing a lot, with a baby on my hip! Where was the teacher? Who knows! Plenty of other parents felt the same way as I did.
They also do an amazing fundraiser program which goes towards
Seattle B.
Apr 12, 2018
Report
A true quality preschool experience! I have continued to be impressed with the balanced and appropriate curriculum incorporated into the program. All the children are engaged and interested in the activities and I have watched each child thrive and be nurtured by Miss Cathy. The warmth and supportive environment Miss Cathy creates has enabled my son to grow in a thoughtful, inquisitive and happy manner.
Truly, Miss Cathy is a gem; and she will nurture your child well. My child looks forward to attending class every day.
Truly, Miss Cathy is a gem; and she will nurture your child well. My child looks forward to attending class every day.
J. B.
May 23, 2017
Report
WLCP has been a wonderful find for our son. Teacher Cathy has the patience of a saint. My son loves going to preschool everyday and can not wait to tell me all he has done that day! We really love the co-op structure of this preschool. It not only makes it affordable, but also helps build a stronger sense of community between the parents and children.
Kelly Gavrich
Jan 02, 2015
Report
I have had an amazing experience being a part of this school. Not only is it a warm, nurturing environment where my children play and learn, but it is also a close-knit community that my family became a part of. Having lived in the Portland area only a few months before joining WLCP, our family had few close local friends. After being members of this group of families for only a short time, we had a reliable network of like-minded people that we now socialize with daily. My children, my husband, and I have made friends for life.
Tamarah S.
Feb 11, 2013
Report
Both of my daughters have loved their experience at West Linn Community Preschool. I have seen them grow and learn in the wonderful environment that Teacher Cathy has created!
This is a cooperative preschool, which means that parents get to help out in class, and have jobs to help run the school. These two responsibilities, as well as helping with fundraising, help keep tuition low. They also help to build a community for the families, as well as the children.
The children are given many opportunities to experience different activities to help develop their fine and large motor skills, they
This is a cooperative preschool, which means that parents get to help out in class, and have jobs to help run the school. These two responsibilities, as well as helping with fundraising, help keep tuition low. They also help to build a community for the families, as well as the children.
The children are given many opportunities to experience different activities to help develop their fine and large motor skills, they
K. Switzer
Jun 12, 2012
Report
I loved being part of a community that nurtures the young spirit of your child through things like cooking, art work, exercising and giving back to your community. I also loved meeting parents that had the same desire to be part of my child's education and making life long friendships. I put my two older children through and look forward to when it is my youngest's turn. I miss our wonderful Teacher Cathy who always has a warm hug and open ears for all the children and their families.
Jill O.
May 27, 2011
Report
West Linn Community Preschool is truly an amazing place. My two children have attended the school and I can't imagine anywhere that could be better. Teacher Cathy is the ideal preschool teacher. Her kind, warm and patient demeanor have positively influenced my children in countless ways. I love the cooperative preschool environment where families work together together to participate in their child's preschool experience. If you want to share in the joys of the preschool with your child there is no place better than West Linn Community Preschool.
Michelle L.
May 21, 2011
Report
West Linn Community Preschool is a wonderful school where parents have the opportunity to participate in their child's first school experience. My son loved his first year and our family is looking forward to his second year. Our teacher has over 30 years of experience and enough cannot be said of her caring, nurturing personality, her level of commitment, her excellent teaching skills. The children adore her! Another benefit of WLCP is the bond formed between families and the friendships that develop and last beyond preschool years. School cooperatives require commitment, hence, the word
Dustin D.
Mar 06, 2011
Report
West Linn Community Preschool expects more from its parents than it is able to gives back to parents and their children in return. With all of the money the school expects parents to pay, the fundraising, the meetings, the school job, the requirements, the demands, the furlough days, all for a 3 year old to attend "preschool" 2 days a week for 2 hour days, it doesn't make sense to attend this school. Its more work than its worth... you could take your kid to a playground, story-time at the library, etc. and have the same experience with less hassles and at a fraction of the cost
