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Curriculum
Valley Drive's philosophy is child-centered and play-based. The teachers create an environment where children learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and an array of materials.
While we recognize the crucial importance of skills such as reading and math as children approach elementary school, play is the primary vehicle for preschool growth. It is our conviction that our students are nurtured best through a healthy emotional orientation toward school. We provide constructive play opportunities for students to develop skills that will aid their success in elementary school.
In addition, Valley Drive places values exploration in music and the natural world, so every class devotes a portion of their week to music and science.
Cooperative Model
In 1958, the Valley Drive Cooperative Day School was founded by a group of parents who wanted to provide good preschool education for their children. Parents hired a professional teacher, while mothers assisted in the classroom and managed the organization and maintenance of the school. Over 50 years later, the cooperative model still remains in practice. Parents and teachers organize, administer and operate our program. Under teacher direction, parents work as co-teachers in the classroom. Parents get the unique opportunity to observe their child's development and to learn ways to facilitate this process. We also feel that children benefit from parent participation in their early social and educational experiences.
In addition, parents are relied upon to conduct the business of the preschool. The Valley Drive Board of Directors is elected annually and handles all administrative matters, such as hiring the professional staff, establishment of the school’s budget, and fundraising. Jobs performed by parent volunteers enable the school to run smoothly, and help to reduce overhead expenses, thereby lowering tuition costs.
Valley Drive is licensed by the State of Virginia and is proud to be an active member of the Virginia Cooperative Preschool Council (VCPC) http://www.geocities.com/vcpc1/. This organization assists its member schools in achieving higher standards, teacher and pupil placement, special officer training, parent education and orientation, and dissemination of information. A voting delegate represents each school at the Council. Each member school financially supports the Council through yearly dues.
Valley Drive's philosophy is child-centered and play-based. The teachers create an environment where children learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and an array of materials.
While we recognize the crucial importance of skills such as reading and math as children approach elementary school, play is the primary vehicle for preschool growth. It is our conviction that our students are nurtured best through a healthy emotional orientation toward school. We provide constructive play opportunities for students to develop skills that will aid their success in elementary school.
In addition, Valley Drive places values exploration in music and the natural world, so every class devotes a portion of their week to music and science.
Cooperative Model
In 1958, the Valley Drive Cooperative Day School was founded by a group of parents who wanted to provide good preschool education for their children. Parents hired a professional teacher, while mothers assisted in the classroom and managed the organization and maintenance of the school. Over 50 years later, the cooperative model still remains in practice. Parents and teachers organize, administer and operate our program. Under teacher direction, parents work as co-teachers in the classroom. Parents get the unique opportunity to observe their child's development and to learn ways to facilitate this process. We also feel that children benefit from parent participation in their early social and educational experiences.
In addition, parents are relied upon to conduct the business of the preschool. The Valley Drive Board of Directors is elected annually and handles all administrative matters, such as hiring the professional staff, establishment of the school’s budget, and fundraising. Jobs performed by parent volunteers enable the school to run smoothly, and help to reduce overhead expenses, thereby lowering tuition costs.
Valley Drive is licensed by the State of Virginia and is proud to be an active member of the Virginia Cooperative Preschool Council (VCPC) http://www.geocities.com/vcpc1/. This organization assists its member schools in achieving higher standards, teacher and pupil placement, special officer training, parent education and orientation, and dissemination of information. A voting delegate represents each school at the Council. Each member school financially supports the Council through yearly dues.
Goals for Our School
Membership in a cooperative preschool is a family experience. We share aims, benefits, and responsibilities. It is an opportunity for our children to:
Membership in a cooperative preschool is a family experience. We share aims, benefits, and responsibilities. It is an opportunity for our children to:
- Be themselves and develop at their own rate;
- Express themselves freely and constructively through art media and play;
- Learn to be tolerant, creative, cooperative, and imaginative;
- Learn to be independent and to solve their own problems;
- Enjoy a preschool experience that will simplify adjustment to elementary and other school situations;
- Establish close relationships with adults other than those in their families;
- Learn limits of behavior regarding safety, health, and respect for the rights of others;
- Build feelings of self-confidence and security and an acceptance of reality;
- Extend and enrich their understanding of the world;
- Increase their ability to handle their emotions.