What is the educational philosophy of your school?
The purpose of the Family Cooperative is to serve children in an inclusive, enriching, and nurturing educational environment. It is our mission to care for and educate children through engaging in an emergent, child-centered curriculum in a cooperative setting that supports strong parental involvement. The goals of our curricular practices are to facilitate children’s relationships within the community, explorations of their environment, and investigations of the world. We strive to support children’s independence, empathy, and intellectual curiosity.
Our philosophy is based on the concept of an emergent, child-centered, developmentally appropriate practice, inspired by the Reggio Emilia early childhood philosophy. We work toward fostering the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of children by taking the time to develop a unique relationship with each family and each child that comes to our center. It is important to us to create a nurturing, safe environment that serves as an extension of the home. Each piece of the child’s life, family, environment, school, peers, and teachers, engage in powerful conversations with each other, creating a coherent, integrated learning model throughout the life of the child. The Family Cooperative has a particular vision of the child as a competent, creative thinker who actively engages in the process of making meaning of the world. Each aspect of the curriculum relates to this child and emerges out of the interests and pursuits of the children themselves.
Our philosophy is based on the concept of an emergent, child-centered, developmentally appropriate practice, inspired by the Reggio Emilia early childhood philosophy. We work toward fostering the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of children by taking the time to develop a unique relationship with each family and each child that comes to our center. It is important to us to create a nurturing, safe environment that serves as an extension of the home. Each piece of the child’s life, family, environment, school, peers, and teachers, engage in powerful conversations with each other, creating a coherent, integrated learning model throughout the life of the child. The Family Cooperative has a particular vision of the child as a competent, creative thinker who actively engages in the process of making meaning of the world. Each aspect of the curriculum relates to this child and emerges out of the interests and pursuits of the children themselves.
how many classrooms do you have?
We have five classrooms (Sequoia, Magnolia, Willow, Maple, and Chestnut). The children in each classroom remain with their cohort for the duration of the school year from August to June.
how many children are in each classroom?
We can enroll up to seven children in our Infant classroom.
Our Toddler classrooms have between seven and nine children.
We can enroll 14 children in our Preschool classroom.
Our Toddler classrooms have between seven and nine children.
We can enroll 14 children in our Preschool classroom.
How many teachers are in each classroom?
We have three full time teachers in the infant and toddler classrooms, two full time teachers in the preschool room.
Our support teachers move amongst all classrooms.
We also welcome student-teachers and interns.
Our support teachers move amongst all classrooms.
We also welcome student-teachers and interns.
what are your hours and when are you open?
TFC is a school year program that is open from late August to mid-June. We are open daily from 7:15-4:15. We have an optional Extended Day program available five days a week from 4:15-5:30.
We have also added an eight week summer program, open to TFC and the greater community!
We have also added an eight week summer program, open to TFC and the greater community!
is snack and lunch provided?
The children bring lunch from home each day.
Snacks are provided by families on a rotating schedule as part of the co-op participation (see our Cooperative Model tab). Twice daily, each classroom shares a "family style" snack. A variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy and carbs/crackers are offered at each snack time.
Snacks are provided by families on a rotating schedule as part of the co-op participation (see our Cooperative Model tab). Twice daily, each classroom shares a "family style" snack. A variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy and carbs/crackers are offered at each snack time.
We Pay tuition- Why does TFC fundraise?
Tuition does not cover all of TFC's operating costs. In 2023, TFC moved into a new building, and with that move came an increased need for fundraising. Our commitment to deliver quality care and excellent programming has not changed. This means maintaining small class sizes and low teacher-student ratios. Our faculty are highly qualified. Ensuring that TFC can provide quality teachers and the resources necessary to support our faculty is essential. We fundraise through our Annual Art Show, and Fun Day in order to support the people and programs that make TFC unique.
WHAT Does the cooperative commitment look like?
Parents are invited and welcome to be part of all aspects of TFC through serving on a parent committee or our Board of Directors. We will work with you to find a committee that works best for your family, but we expect each family to fulfill their cooperative commitments. Visit our Cooperative Model page for more information on the various committees and positions that are available. If you have a desire to be in your child's classroom on a more regular basis, parents are always welcome to visit on a scheduled or spontaneous basis.
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ADDRESS51 Kondazian Street
Watertown, MA 02472 Telephone617.393.8356
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