Hawthorne Family Playschool is an exceptional mixed-age (3-5), play-based cooperative preschool fostering self-awareness, relationships with others, and connections to the natural world. They are competent problemsolvers when given support. Children find deep satisfaction in following their interests, building relationships, and making friends. Children learn best when they are connected to nature
. We provide natural materials inside and outside the classroom and help children to become good stewards of the earth. HFP is certified as eco-healthy by the Oregon Environmental Council. We believe participating in a parent cooperative, while lots of work, is deeply rewarding for the children, their families and the teacher alike. What we do:
We limit class size to 14 children to ensure low ratios and individualized attention. Parents assist the teacher in the classroom, working approximately twice every six weeks for families in the 2-day program and three times every six weeks for families in the 3-day program. We nurture children’s ideas, interests and feelings as they partner with friends and engage in a wide variety of activities. Adults thoughtfully provision the environment so that children learn wherever they play. Because children develop at different ages, we do not require toilet training. Parents provide healthy, vegetarian snacks for the class on a rotating basis.
