We have openings for Otters & Eagles 2024-2025. Please contact us to schedule a personalized tour.

Winter Wreath Fundraiser is underway! Order your Turnbull Evergreen wreaths before Nov 20th by shopping our page: Crown Hill Winter Wreaths

Welcome to Crown Hill Co-op Preschool

Crown Hill Cooperative Preschool (CHCP) is a supportive, educational space where parents work alongside teachers to shape our children’s first classroom experience. CHCP is a inclusive environment to learn social, emotional, and intellectual skills through cooperative and creative play.

We offer three classes:

Preschool workdays for caregivers is a time to be engaged with the kids. Adults help preschool teachers by supervising outdoor play, ensuring safety measures are followed, supporting class transitions to the next activity, and maintaining a supportive environment for exploration and play.

Monthly caregiver meetings led by a North Seattle College parent educator address child development stages, common parental challenges, and provide a supportive space to ask questions. Together, adults build self-confidence and parental competencies together, learning from educators as well as each other. 

Crown Hill Cooperative Preschool is part of the North Seattle College (NSC) Cooperative Preschool program. There are over 40 North Seattle College Cooperative Preschool classes held at 11 convenient locations in North Seattle. Each school is an independent, non-profit entity run by skilled preschool teachers, children’s caregivers, and a professional educator from NSC.

For more information on North Seattle College Cooperative Preschool programs, please visit: northseattlecoops.org

Follow us to learn more about Crown Hill Cooperative Preschool.

Our Teachers

MEET TEACHER NAOMI & TEACHER LAUREN

About Teacher Naomi

Teacher Naomi Sunderland (she/her) leads our Otters and Orcas classes. This year, she begins her lifelong dream of teaching preschool. Teacher Naomi has years of experience caring for children and a passion for early childhood development. Teacher Naomi lives in the Greenwood/Phinney Ridge neighborhood with her two daughters, dog, husband and parents who live in the MIL unit of their home. She is excited to learn and grow with you all.

“My favorite part of preschool is the gift of being one of the first teacher’s in a child’s life outside of their home. Providing a safe environment to help nurture growth as well as a love for learning and exploration is truly one of the greatest joys I can think of.”

Teacher Naomi

About Teacher Lauren

Teacher Lauren Jensen (she/her) leads the Eagles Class and Pre-K extension. She has wanted to be a teacher ever since she was in kindergarten. Her childhood ambition has flourished into a career in education and librarianship. Her years of experience teaching kindergarten, second grade, and Pre-K grades as a teacher-librarian ensures our Eagles and Pre-K will be well-prepared for life as a kindergartener. Teacher Lauren has three kids, four chickens, and a dog. She lives just down the hill in North Beach and is breast cancer survivor.

“My favorite part of preschool is introducing children to school in a loving and inclusive environment with a child- centered approach and a heart for curiosity in others and in the natural world.”

Teacher Lauren

2024-25 Class Details

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

We have 3 classes serving children from 12 months until they are ready to start Kindergarten.

As a Nature Explore-certified preschool, all of our classes emphasize a welcoming, structured outdoor environment that emphasizes child-led exploration.  Weather permitting, all children spend time outside on a daily basis, and the amount of time outside increases as children get older.  In all classes, the day starts with large motor play where children climb, slide, balance and jump their way to better physical health, coordination and strength in a fun & inviting outdoor setting.

After snack time or lunch, the children read books until everyone is finished eating. Then they have Discovery Time in the classroom. STEM and creative learning activities will be set up for the children. It is a time to explore a variety of areas that are adult-guided, child-centered activities. During this time the children will engage with the adults, and other children, in activities that are play-based with an emergent curriculum. These areas will include: art, fine motor, building, reading, imaginary play, playdough and science.

The day ends with circle time where the children and caregivers sing songs and listen to stories led by the teacher.

crown hill preschoolers

The Otters class meets on Wednesdays from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.

Description

Toddler class hosts up to 20 children ranging from 12 to 24 months old. Children are eligible if they’re 12 months old on or before August 31st.

Our preschool is a fun place for you and your toddler to learn and grow. From painting to pretending, taking turns to tower building, each child will have the opportunity to explore many experiences as their minds make new connections about the world around them.

Parents attend class with their children, making this a great opportunity to ease your child into a preschool environment at a young age, and meet parents with children of similar ages.

Schedule

  • 9:00 – 9:45 Outdoor Classroom
  • 9:45 – 10:00 Snack
  • 10:00 – 10:30 Parent Ed / Exploration Time
  • 10:45 – 11:00 Circle Time

crown hill preschoolers

The Orcas class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.

Description

This class hosts up to 20 children ranging from 24-35 months old. Children are eligible if they’re 24 months old on or before August 31st.

Our preschool is a fun place for you and your toddler to learn and grow. From painting to pretending, taking turns to tower building, each child will have the opportunity to explore many experiences as their minds make new connections about the world around them.

Parents attend one class a week with their child and drop off one day a week. Children attend both classes each week with the age-appropriate goal of separating from their parent.

Schedule

  • 9:00 – 10:00 Outdoor Classroom
  • 10:00 – 10:15 Snack
  • 10:15 – 10:45 Exploration Time (indoor if inclement weather)
  • 10:45 – 11:00 Circle Time

preschool children playing in sandbox

The Eagles class meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

Description

This class hosts up to 18 children starting at 36 months and continuing until the child is ready to start Kindergarten. Children are eligible if they’re 36 months old on or before August 31st.

Parents attend one class a week with their child, and drop off 2 days a week. Children attend three classes each week with the age-appropriate goal of separating from their parent. Board and parent education meetings are held one evening a month throughout the school year (children do not attend these meetings).

Schedule

  • 11:00 – 12:00 Outdoor Classroom
  • 12:00 – 12:30 Lunch (Reading Time as they finish their lunch)
  • 12:30 – 12:45 Science Circle
  • 12:45 – 1:10 Exploration Time (indoor if inclement weather)
  • 1:10 – 1:30 Circle Time

preschool children playing in sandbox

Eagles Pre-K meets from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm on Mondays, and is an optional extension for families preparing for Kindergarten.

Crown Hill Explorers Pre-K Program: Where Nature Meets Nurture

At Crown Hill Explorers’ Pre-K program, we dive deep into our natural environment, integrating science, language, and play. Leveraging our extended hours, we’re committed to honing our students’ scientific prowess, and we’ve chosen an exceptional curriculum for this mission: MESS or Marvelous Explorations through Science and Stories. This comprehensive program is a brainchild of The Florida Museum of Natural History and the University of Florida.

Explore the MESS Intro Guide

Why MESS for Early Childhood Science?

MESS isn’t about memorizing facts. It’s about lighting a fire of curiosity, laying a robust foundation for knowledge, and cultivating budding scientific thinkers. At its heart, MESS believes:

  • Children thrive when guided by compassionate adults.
  • Language, print, and other mediums are pivotal in molding early science comprehension.
  • Given the space and time to delve deeply, young minds naturally grasp scientific concepts and skills.

We are thrilled to offer MESS to our CoOp families. It promises a harmonious fusion of a play-based curriculum with the robustness of a science and language structure that MESS brings to the table.

Gallery

HAVE A LOOK AROUND OUR PRESCHOOL

Tuition & Preschool Costs

  • 12 – 24 Months Old
  • Otters
  • 1 Day A Week
  • Registration Fee: $40

    One time, non-refundable

  • Child Co-op Tuition: $1,070

    $107/month for 10 installments

  • Parent NSC Tuition: $172.26

    $57.42/quarter for three quarters

  • Materials Fee: $65

    One time, non-refundable

  • Total Cost for 2024-25: $1347.26

    Co Op should be affordable for all families; financial aid is available.

  • JOIN US
  • 24 – 36 Months Old
  • Orcas
  • 2 Days A Week
  • Registration Fee: $40

    One time, non-refundable

  • Child Co-op Tuition: $1,580

    $158/month for 10 installments

  • Parent NSC Tuition: $172.26

    $57.42/quarter for three quarters

  • Materials Fee: $105

    One time, non-refundable

  • Total Cost for 2024-25: $1,897.26

    Co Op should be affordable for all families; financial aid is available.

  • JOIN US
  • 36+ Months Old
  • Eagles
  • 3 Days A Week (4 with PreK Extension)
  • Registration Fee: $40

    One time, non-refundable

  • Child Co-op Tuition: $2,450 ($3,180 for PreK extension).

    $245/month, for 10  installments; $73/month additional for PreK extension.

  • Parent NSC Tuition: $172.26

    $57.42/quarter for three quarters

  • Materials Fee: $125 ($190 for PreK extension).

    One time, non-refundable

  • Total Cost for 2024-25: $2,787.26 ($3,582.26 for PreK extension).

    Co Op should be affordable for all families; financial aid is available.

  • JOIN US

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Crown Hill Explorers Cooperative Preschool

Crown Hill Cooperative Preschool is located at 2400 NW 85th St. Seattle, WA, 98117. The Preschool rents space in Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. The preschool a Nature Explore certified outdoor classroom and play area with access to a daylight basement during inclement weather.

How long is the school year?

The school year follows that of Seattle Public Schools and the regular school holidays shall be observed.

What are the responsibilities of the parents at Crown Hill Explorers Cooperative Preschool?

Being a part of a cooperative school requires a time & commitment from each family. In return, families reap the rewards of a high-quality preschool, lower tuition rates, parenting support and lasting friendships. Co-Op parents are asked to:

What is my role as an “assistant teacher” in the classroom?

On their work day, parents are assigned a specific responsibility as teachers aides in order to guide the children’s activities. Typically, this involves working at a specific station, such as the sandbox, play house or sensory table, and helping to make sure that the activity is both engaging and safe for the children involved.

What is Parent Education?

Co-Op parents are automatically enrolled as students in NSC Parent Education Program and receive three college credits each quarter. The parent educator attends preschool every week and leads a monthly evening education session addressing relevant family and school topics. In the Toddler classes, parent educators also lead weekly discussion groups during classroom time. Half of the Toddler parents attend parent education each week.

“The mission of the NSC Parent Education program is to promote the development of knowledge and skills for strong and healthy families.”

Parents are involved in their child’s early education experience by participating once a week in the parent-operated cooperative preschool where their child is enrolled and at a monthly evening parent-only meeting & class taught by the parent educator — an NSC faculty member. The instructor also advises and supports the parents as they practice the skills they are learning while being assistant teachers in their child’s preschool. Please visit the NSCC website for more information on all our cooperative preschools: http://coops.northseattle.edu

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