Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

How does co-op preschool work?

For basic information about how cooperative preschools operate, please see North Seattle Co-ops How Co-op Works page.

 

Do you have a babes-in-arms or parental leave policy?

We allow one babe-in-arms per day of class, as long as the infant can be carried or worn in a carrier at all times, up until 6 months of age. We also have a parental leave policy which offers some time off in your child’s first year.

 

What is Wallingford Co-op’s Approach to COVID-19?

Our goal is to provide a safe environment while prioritizing children’s access to in-person, free play. As recommended by North Seattle College and OPEP,  for the 2022-23 school year we will be following Washington DOH guidelines. As those guidelines change, school policies will also change.

We recognize that while all families want the best for all the children in our care, when it comes to COVID, we don’t all agree exactly what that may look like. Accordingly, all classes will follow the expert guidelines as the way to be the most fair and transparent to the whole community. In the 2022-2023 school year, we will not be making COVID policy decisions on a class or all-school board level.

What COVID mitigation strategies do you have in place?

  • A portion of every class is spent outdoors, rain or shine
  • Ventilation and air cleaners in indoor spaces
  • Designated times for handwashing throughout the day
  • Vaccination required for adults
  • High-grade masks are available at school for any families that want them and have trouble accessing them otherwise
  • We follow WA DOH procedures to handle children/adults with symptoms and COVID exposures

Will masks be required in the 2022-2023 school year?

Currently, we believe it is most likely that the guidelines will have masks optional for both indoors and outdoors in the 2022-2023 school year. If you want your child to wear a mask when it is not required, the school can support you by helping your child to wear their mask. We will work with all children to help them respect family choices around masking.
The guidelines may require masks in some circumstances – for instance, when returning to school after an exposure or COVID infection. If the guidelines change and universal masking is required, the school will be following those guidelines.

Will vaccinations be required?

Currently, staff and working adults in the classroom must be vaccinated according to North Seattle College policy and must provide an attestation as part of their registration for the Parent Education component of co-op. We will follow Washington state law as regards vaccinations for children. Currently, there is no requirement for children to be vaccinated.

Does my child need to be potty trained?

No. For the Pre-3s class, we assign a diaper buddy who is responsible for diaper changes or assisting your child with the bathroom as needed. For safety purposes two adults must be present with children who require assistance at all times. If a child is fully potty trained they may have privacy for bathroom use.

Does a parent have to be the one to work in the classroom?

We allow nannies, grandparents, au pairs, co-parents, and other caretakers to work in the classroom, however we request to have one consistent adult in the classroom on a regular basis unless filling in for parental leave or other extenuating circumstances. It’s also important that the adults participating in the classroom either participate in monthly class meetings or have good communication with the adult who is attending the class meeting, and ultimately it’s up to the discretion of the teacher and parent educator who may work in the classroom. Adults who work regularly in the classroom are required to register through North Seattle College for insurance purposes and to complete a COVID-19 vaccination attestation.

Can I stay with my kids or do I have to drop them off?

In many cases we can be flexible while families adjust to the preschool community. We understand that changes can take time. Our teacher and parent educator can help families to be successful and build confidence with drop-off. We feel it will benefit the growth of your child and your growth as a parent for you to be able to confidently drop them off when it’s not your workday.