Parent Education
Parent education is an important focus of Benson Hill Co-op. Our preschool operates under the direction of Green River Community College’s (GRCC) Early Childhood Education department and is part of a greater cooperative preschool community. Our parents attend monthly meetings with a GRCC Parent Instructor, helping us gain a better understanding of child development. Parents enrolled in Threes and Pre-K/Explorers classes are required to attend evening meetings once a month to supplement and enrich the parents’ experiences in the classroom and in the home. The Baby and Me, Toddlers and Twos classes are POL’s (Parent Observation Labs) so parent education discussions take place while the parent and child are in class each week.
At the monthly Parent Education meetings the teacher informs the parents of classroom happenings and the parent instructor provides valuable information on child development and parenting techniques. Our parent meetings are also a time when parents can share concerns and experiences and provide a supportive environment for one another. Our parent instructors are also consistent preschool observers and are available for both informal and private consultation with teachers and parents to help with specific concerns.
An added benefit of participating in our preschool and attending these meetings is that you, as a participating parent at the co-op, are an enrolled student at GRCC and will receive college credit (two per quarter), student discounts, library privileges and other student benefits.
As a GRCC student you are required to:
- Attend all assigned parent meetings
- Take an active role in the leadership and functioning of your preschool
- Fulfill duties as described in your board or class committee job description
- Pay quarterly tuition to Green River Community College.
Through our affiliation with GRCC, Benson Hill Cooperative Preschool is connected with other area co-op preschools. GRCC also supports continuing education for your child’s teacher and the Parent Instructor, through workshops, classes, and meetings. The interconnectedness and supportive nature of the co-op system helps families grow stronger, enriches their lives with new friends and experiences and empowers parents to find resources for themselves and their children.
