Most co-ops require parents to help out in the classroom, where they serve as teachers' aides. Others, like Saint Matthew's, rely on parents to perform administrative and even janitorial duties. Because of the parents' involvement, tuition remains low - substantially lower than at traditional preschools. Cooperative preschools, also known as parent participation nursery schools, date back to 1916, when a group of faculty wives at the University of Chicago organized the first program. Most employ at least one professional teacher and supplement his or her services with parental efforts.
Parent involvement adds to the quality of the program, but also cuts down on expenses.
There are just a handful of cooperative preschools in South Florida. Although cooperative preschools are growing in other parts of the country, they're not as popular in South Florida. A local umbrella organization, the Florida Council of Parent Cooperative Preschools, folded about three years ago. But parents whose children are enrolled at cooperative preschools swear by them. The Co-op Classroom Cooperative preschools are similar to traditional preschools, but you're likely to find more adults in a cooperative classroom.