Happy Time Cooperative Preschool

Happy Time Cooperative Preschool Happy Time is a parent participation school with a “learn through play” philosophy. Parents can also volunteer in the classroom which reduces the tuition.

Established in 1952, Happy Time is the only cooperative preschool in southern San Luis Obispo County. A cooperative preschool offers parents the opportunity to be fully involved with their child’s early education experience. Membership in our cooperative preschool brings the families together to plan and experience school events, fundraisers and social events. Each family gives ten hours per year

of volunteer time, including a mandatory shift at one of the two fundraisers. There are several ways to donate the remaining eight hours: volunteering at fundraisers, events, taking on school projects or serving on a committee. A Board comprised of parents administers the business of the school. Each family serves on a school committee. The paid Director/Teacher develops and administers the curriculum and children's program and supervises parent volunteers. We invite you to visit us and find out what makes Happy Time Cooperative Preschool such an enriching place for preschoolers and their parents. Bring your child along and let him or her experience our secure, nurturing environment that provides numerous opportunities for exploration, play, and learning in a variety of ways and activities. We offer a developmental program that is designed to meet the needs of children aged 3 (by December 31st) through 6 years. There are periods of time set aside for child-selected activities as well as teacher directed experiences. There are opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities, individual, small and large group activities, fantasy and play, creative expression, language development, large and fine motor skill development. Our Director/Teacher designs the curriculum and provides the materials and activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. In the preschool programs, the parents act as support staff. With the parents working, there is a ratio of one adult to five children, giving each child the opportunity to receive adult assistance when it is needed. Cooperative preschools are unique in offering education to both parents and children. We benefit through our exposure to a wide variety of materials, through our experiences, and through the relationships we develop at school. We believe that the time spent at Happy Time Cooperative Preschool will be enjoyable, educational, sometimes challenging, and time very well spent. Happy Time Cooperative Preschool is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, non-discriminating organization financed entirely by monthly tuition and fundraising activities. The school is licensed by the State of California as a child care facility and complies with all licensing requirements for parent participation schools. Happy Time Cooperative Preschool is conveniently located near many cities, including Nipomo, Oceano, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, and San Luis Obispo. Facility number: 401700158

Our Happy Time Summer Workday was a smashing success! 🛠🌻☀️Thank you, families, for all your hard work. Our school is rea...
08/23/2026

Our Happy Time Summer Workday was a smashing success! 🛠🌻☀️

Thank you, families, for all your hard work. Our school is ready to welcome your littles ones in September.

We are so honored to be a part of this community!🤸‍♀️

Up next is our Parent Orientation and Volunteer Training.

Looking forward to spending time with new and returning families soon🧡

A handful of soil becomes a tiny discovery and an opportunity to ask questions, make observations and build confidence. ...
07/28/2026

A handful of soil becomes a tiny discovery and an opportunity to ask questions, make observations and build confidence. 🐛🐞🔎

With magnifying glasses in hand, our preschoolers slow down, notice the little things and wonder about the world around them. They are developing curiosity, language, critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning... all while exploring the everyday environment that surrounds them.

At Happy Time Cooperative Preschool we believe early childhood education is rooted in intentional exploration. When children are given the time and freedom to investigate, even a patch of dirt can become a classroom.

🖐Where PLAY is the curriculum and curiosity leads the way!

📍Happy Time Cooperative Preschool, Pismo Beach California.

There is something really special about a preschool that's built by teachers & parents, for our children. 💛A heartfelt t...
07/09/2026

There is something really special about a preschool that's built by teachers & parents, for our children. 💛

A heartfelt thank you to last year's incredible board of moms for the countless hours, love, and energy you poured into making this such a special place for our families. Your dedication created memories our little ones will carry with them for years to come.

And to our new board of amazing moms—welcome! We can't wait to see the heart, creativity, and leadership you'll bring to this next chapter.

It truly takes a village, and there is so much gratitude from being part of a community where we don't just raise our own children—we help support each other's. Here's to another wonderful year of learning, laughter, friendship, and growth! 👋

05/01/2026

1. Learning at Happy Time happens through PLAY, meaning self-directed, open-ended, creative exploration. When preschoolers are given the time and space to truly play, deeply and autonomously, they are developing the critical skills necessary for all future learning.

2. Happy Time’s curriculum considers the whole child. Learning at Happy Time encompasses so much more than just academic concepts. Self-care skills, empathy and social skills, emotional regulation skills, problem-solving skills—these are all essential areas of learning in the preschool years. Together they form the thrust of what Happy Time’s curriculum aims to foster in children.

3. The learning space itself is an important part of our curriculum. Our facility is organized with great care and intention so that Happy Time kids become active participants in shaping the curriculum. When a robust learning environment is thoughtfully prepared with a diversity of materials, the children are free to explore. Our teachers carefully observe, document and reflect on how their play is unfolding. Through this dynamic process, our teachers gain ideas for future learning opportunities based on the needs and particular interests of each class.

4. At Happy Time, children are given the dignity of time. Because actual learning takes time. There is active pressure, even in today’s preschool landscape, to make learning more performative, more measurable, more polished. Too often the optics look shiny, but the learning is rushed, rote, and shallow. At Happy Time, we believe learning does not have to be rushed in order to be real. Our goal is for learning to be full of depth instead of pressure, for our preschoolers to grow in an environment free from hurry, and for children, parents and teachers alike to move at the pace of human learning.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour or learning more about the Happy Time difference, visit our website (link in bio).

What is it that sets Happy Time Cooperative Preschool apart? 👉 Swipe through to learn all about what makes the special s...
04/17/2026

What is it that sets Happy Time Cooperative Preschool apart? 👉 Swipe through to learn all about what makes the special sauce.

🚨 Open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year begins April 17th! 🚨 Come on by for our annual open house this Friday fr...
04/15/2026

🚨 Open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year begins April 17th! 🚨 Come on by for our annual open house this Friday from 10am-12pm, tour our program, chat with our teachers, and experience what learning through play can look like in the preschool years.

Address

1091 Bello Street
Pismo Beach, CA
93449

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 12:30pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm
Friday 9am - 12:30pm

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