Our Community

Many parents say the most important part of the preschool for them is the community that develops between families: a “family of families.” Because the school is non-profit, we do rely on parent involvement to ensure that essential functions are completed. Each family assists in the classroom (“co-oping”) based on the number of sessions per week their child attends. 

Families who cannot or do not want to participate in classroom co-oping may opt out by paying 30% higher tuition. Our preschool requires all adults in the classroom to obtain Pennsylvania child abuse history clearances and criminal record checks.

Before school begins each year, there is an all-parent meeting. At least one parent from each family is expected to attend this meeting. Each family is also expected to volunteer for a committee that meets throughout the school year to fulfill its obligations.

Throughout the school year the Lancaster Cooperative Preschool has events and seasonal celebrations such as: Stone Soup, Halloween  and Holiday parties, Dr. Seuss Day, and more.

The Lancaster Cooperative Preschool is a program of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster. Both the parents of the school and the church make commitments to the school and participate in its success because it serves the shared values of the children and families in the school, and the church’s role in the larger community.