FAQS
WHAT IS A COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL?
A co-op preschool is administered and maintained by the parents or caregivers of the enrolled students. Family involvement is the foundation of our cooperative preschool. Parents/caregivers rotate as in-class Family Teachers. It is marvelous to be in the classroom experiencing the school day through the eyes of your child. In addition, each family shares in the business operation of the school. Once enrolled, we will work to find you a family job that suits your particular skills.
WHAT IS WALDORF EDUCATION?
WHAT ARE WOODHAVEN'S SCHOOL HOURS?
Woodhaven School operates five days a week. We have three classes: Sweet Peas meet once per week for two hours, Tuesdays from 2 pm - 4 pm; Rosebuds: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 am – 12:50 pm; and Sunflowers: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 am - 12:50 pm.
CAN WE VISIT?
Yes, after a phone or virtual interview with our Registrar, we will offer the opportunity to either attend an open house or private tour with our Lead Teacher and another family member of our current co-op community. While your entire immediate family is welcome, we require that at least one legal guardian and the child who would be potentially enrolling come to visit in-person.
WHAT IS A MIXED AGE/BLENDED AGE CLASS ENVIRONMENT LIKE AT WOODHAVEN?
Children 3-6 years old are all in the same class. We believe children learn patience, empathy, inclusion, cooperative skills and communication in meaningful ways from their peers. We see great value in mixed age groups because older children have the opportunity to teach and lead their younger classmates, and younger children model themselves after the older children.
HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IN A CLASS? WHAT IS THE CHILD TO ADULT RATIO?
We strive to have no more than 12 children enrolled in each class. Woodhaven has a 4:1 child:adult ratio.
HOW MANY DAYS DO I HAVE TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM ASSISTING THE LEAD TEACHER AS THE FAMILY TEACHER?
Rosebud parents/caregivers assist in the classroom about once a month. Sunflower parents/caregivers assist in the classroom approximately every 3 weeks.
CAN SIBLINGS BE IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN ASSISTING THE LEAD TEACHER ON MY FAMILY TEACHING DAYS?
Woodhaven School accident insurance coverage does not extend to siblings under 18 in the classroom. It only covers enrolled Woodhaven students and teachers during school time or reported school events. It is the Woodhaven way to welcome families with small children to wear their baby in a carrier during their family teaching day. The Family Teacher must be able to fulfill all job responsibilities or proactively arrange for support without jeopardizing the safety of the infant, enrolled Woodhaven children or themselves. Babies in hand carriers or strollers may not attend school during family teaching time. If a family chooses to bring their child in a baby wearing carrier during their Family Teaching time, the Woodhaven School Baby Wearing Waiver must be signed. Please contact the Secretary for a copy of the Waiver.
DO YOU OFFER CHILDCARE OPTIONS FOR YOUNGER SIBLINGS WHEN WE HAVE TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM ASSISTING?
We currently do not offer childcare options. We ask that you find childcare for younger siblings on your Family Teacher days. Often families in the co-op with similar aged younger siblings will combine efforts, arranging playdates and swapping childcare on days you are required to assist during class time.
DO YOU OFFER A SIBLINGS DISCOUNT?
Families with more than one child fully enrolled simultaneously receive a 10 percent discount on the lower of the two tuitions.
DOES WOODHAVEN PROVIDE LUNCH AND A SNACK?
Woodhaven provides students with healthy, sugar-free, wholesome foods at snack time. During lunch, which should be provided by the child’s family, students and adults gather together, family style, around a large table, creating a cozy, home-like environment.
DOES WOODHAVEN HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?
The scholarship fund was created to allow families more accessibility to the Woodhaven School and our cooperative community. We also encourage any family experiencing an unexpected hardship to apply for support. For more information, please email scholarships@woodhavenschool.com.
WHAT IS WOODHAVEN’S PHILOSOPHY ON DISCIPLINE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION?
We do not practice fear or punitive based discipline and see every opportunity as an opportunity to develop social skills. We strive to meet our children where they are and help meet their needs. We believe conflict is healthy and necessary and young children need opportunities to develop problem-solving skills. We provide conflict resolution training to our parents/caregivers so that we all know the language and process of our conflict resolution model. We also agree to follow the Woodhaven Conflict Resolution Model as a guideline for adults who may encounter differences in our community. Adults are taught how to facilitate the children through conflict by modeling empathy, helping the children name the problem and then identify solutions and enter an agreement with one another. Finally, a check-in helps to see how each child is feeling.
WHAT FAMILY JOBS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CO-OP?
WHAT ABOUT TOILETING?
We understand that some children may still be in the learning process and need some extra support and guidance, especially at the beginning of the school year as we are transitioning into a new routine. Restroom calls are made throughout the day by our teacher to help remind students to check in and listen to their own bodies.
WHAT ARE YOUR COVID RESPONSE PLANS?
Woodhaven follows the “Health and Safety Guidelines for Child Care and Early Education Operating During COVID-19” by the Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division. We have taken great care in developing a plan for school during COVID-19 that will ensure the safety of our community but also nurture the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our students.
WHAT ARE THE CO-OP FAMILY MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS?
Family Job: Our cooperative (co-op) school is operated by our member families + teachers. Each family is assigned a family job based on skills, interests, abilities and needs of our co-op school. Think of this as a part time job that will require your dedication and effort. You can expect to contribute 1-3 hours per week. Board roles may require more at various times.
Family Teacher Days: Since we are a cooperative school, our insurance requires at least one family member to be present in order for us to have class. A rotation of Family Teachers assists our Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher or Teacher Aide to provide a 1:4 adult/child ratio. You or any member of your family who serves as Family Teacher will be asked to attend training, be CPR/First Aid certified and to submit a background check before school begins.
***The Rosebud Class requires (approximately) 1 class/month per family, per child
***The Sunflower Class requires (approximately) 1 class/3weeks per family, per child
CPR/First Aid Certification: We require the representative from your family who will be family teaching to have a current CPR/First Aid Certificate. You can find certification options in-person or online here.
Family Meetings/Trainings: Attend 4 mandatory informational meetings/trainings per year: 1) General Meeting in April, 2) Orientation in August, 3) Family Teacher Training/Safety in September, 4) Conflict Resolution
Fundraising Expectation: Fundraising is crucial for our school. We will work together as a community to meet school wide fundraising goals throughout the year and fulfill the budget requirements needed to operate our school. We have many fundraising platforms; for example, selling t-shirts, wreaths, pies, plants, local dine-outs, Amazon, Benefit App and our Annual Online Auction, including donation procurement.
Work Parties: Each family must volunteer 9 hours per year towards work parties. Work parties are held 9a-1p, the second Saturday of each month and help us maintain our indoor and outdoor classrooms. If your family has special skills such as carpentry, painting, crafting, sewing etc., then you may use those skills with approval or in coordination with the teacher and executive board to fulfill your work party hours via special projects needed for the school. If you do not complete your minimum hours, you will be billed an hourly rate ($35/hr) for the respective hours you do not complete. Buyout options may be available upon request.
Annual Events:
Ice Cream Social, August
Harvest Potluck, October
Lantern Walk, November
Spiral Walk, December
May Day, May
Star Child (birthday) Celebrations
Field Trips in the Fall, Winter and Spring
WHAT ABOUT VACCINATIONS?
Woodhaven follows all mandates for reporting immunizations from the Oregon Health Authority.
How many hours should I expect to work for my family job?
Expect to spend an average of 1-3 hours per week.
WHAT IS WOODHAVEN SCHOOL’S TAX ID NUMBER?
Our Tax ID number is 93-1150857.