Programs

Preschool and Pre-K Programs

We are a non-discriminatory school and accept children from all backgrounds.

3s & 4s: Learning Through Play

We believe that children learn best through play. Our students participate daily in different learning activities that adhere to early learning and development standards. By the end of the preschool experience, our students are kindergarten ready. We teach the standards through music, games, hands-on learning, movement and cooperative activities. Being a part of each child’s growth and development is a true gift, and our school embraces the individuality of each student and his/her family.

Students must be 3 years old by August 1st to be placed in the 3s class and 4 years old by August 1st to be placed in the 4s class.

Pre-K Enrichment Day

Enrichment Day is an add-on program that supplements our traditional 4s class to create a four-day Pre-K program. The extra day in the classroom is more academically focused — but still play-based — with emphasis on things like handwriting and small group learning play to prepare for kindergarten.

Lunch Bunch

In the Lunch Bunch add-on program for students in the 4s program, kids bring a packed lunch and eat with their classmates, which helps the kids develop social skills, make friends, and gain valuable experience eating in a social setting like they will in elementary school. Please note: we are a nut-free school. 

---

Additional Classroom Experience — “Specials” — included in tuition

As a cooperative preschool, not only do we embrace cooperation within our preschool community of families, but we also strive to foster strong relationships with our broader community by supporting local organizations who provide specialty instruction. Thursdays are our “specials day,” where students in the 3s and 4s classes are introduced to a variety of different experiences outside of their normal day. By bringing other instructors into the classroom, we are able to open our kiddos’ minds to a wide range of educational opportunities, like music, movement and language each week.

Bringing Music to Life

Miss Tara of Music Therapy Enrichment Center, Inc (MTEC) cultivates a love for music in our students!  She uses music to strengthen communication and coordination skills which are important for daily life. Music sessions are one of the most popular activities for our students as they sing, play instruments, and share with each other, learning valuable skills along the way.

Movement, Fitness & Yoga

Miss Laurel of Youth Challenge helps our preschoolers move and be mindful. In addition to developing gross motor skills, the children work on their listening skills, following directions, taking turns, sequencing, perseverance, and cooperation.

American Sign Language

ASL was a new program in 2021 and it was such a huge success that we’re thrilled to welcome Miss Laurel of Youth Challenge back to our classrooms in 2022-23 to teach monthly ASL lessons. Early language learning is known to enhance memory, increase creativity, and encourage problem solving skills. It also opens a child’s mind to different lifestyles and people.

Parent Involvement

We love when our current and former parents share their skills in or out of the classroom! In the past, that has included everything from water table science lessons, a tour of a member family’s “suburban farm,” and even a class chicken named Olive!

Parents have many opportunities to become involved in their children’s education at The Bay Co-op, from joining the Board to attending classroom parties and events. It is essential to the cooperative nature of our school that parents and families get involved, in whatever way and with whatever level of commitment works best for them.

---

Daily Schedules

Our daily schedule is balanced between active and quiet times, large group, small group and alone activities, classroom and extended classroom areas, child-selected materials, and teacher-directed activities. Each room has a posted schedule to keep the kids on track and comfortable in their routine.

Class Times

3s Preschool Class

• Monday – NO CLASS
• Tuesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Friday – NO CLASS

4s Preschool Class

• Monday – NO CLASS
• Tuesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Friday – NO CLASS

4s Preschool + Pre-K Enrichment Day + Lunch Bunch

• Monday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• Lunch Bunch Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Friday – NO CLASS

Quality Counts

Our teachers have developed an integrated play-based curriculum through themes, projects and classroom environment that supports Ohio’s Early Learning Content Standards.