Parent Participation

In the Classroom

Annandale Preschool employs experienced, well-trained teachers. We do not employ teacher aides. Parents participate in the classroom by functioning as teacher aides on a rotating schedule. The number of mornings a parent is required to participate in the classroom depends on the size and frequency of the class.

Teachers orient parents prior to their first time cooping in the classroom. Teachers clarify with co-oping parents their role and responsibilities when co-oping. Classroom participation begins with arriving 15 to 30 minutes early to help set up the room and greet the children. Parents assist with the preparation and clean up, and should help children use the toilet when needed or change diapers in the 2-year-old classes. Both parents and children wash hands frequently. The participating parent also provides and serves a healthy midmorning snack. Annandale Preschool provides suggestions for USDA-approved snacks.

The State of Virginia considers participating parents to be staff, and by law they must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as required by the task at hand. For example, parents must be able to communicate with emergency personnel and communicate effectively and appropriately with the age group of children in their classroom. Because the safety of the children is paramount, one of the parent's major duties in the classroom and on the playground is to maintain a safe environment.

Over and above the regular classroom participation, parents also take part in special activities on occasion (scheduled during regular class times). These activities may include field trips and seasonal parties.

As a School Aide:

School aide duty is rotated among all the Co-op families. The school aide works from 9 a.m. until about 12:10 p.m. The aide opens and closes the playground area, takes attendance, records the snacks for each classroom, and answers the phone in the office. The school aide performs the light cleaning of the classrooms and bathrooms; replenishing bathroom supplies and emptying trash. You generally act as an extra helper around the school and help the teachers in the event of an emergency.

The number of mornings school aide duty is required per year is approximately the same as the number of days a child attends class per week: if a child attends class 3 mornings per week, a family is responsible for school aide duty 3 times during the school year. Arrangements may be made on an individual basis for a paid substitute for school aide participation.

On Committees:

The administration and physical upkeep of the preschool is overseen by the Executive Director. The Executive Director ensures that parents activities are conducted within NAEYC and state licensing standards. The school's board of directors, made up of parents, oversees various committees that carry out this work. Each family is required to participate either as a director/co-director or on one of the various committees. Time requirements involved depend on the specific assignment. Members are given a choice of the duties they would prefer. Every attempt is made to accommodate preferences and skills.

At Meetings:

To carry out school administrative matters, there are four general membership meetings per year, usually held on a weekday evening in September, November, February, and May. There are also meetings for individual class orientation, school aid training, and health and safety training. Attendance by at least one participating parent at all of these meetings is mandatory to meet state licensing mandates. The board of directors also meets monthly and members are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Parent education seminars are held throughout the year, which parents are encouraged, but not required, to attend.