El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative

El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative offers a play-based, parent participation cooperative preschool where children take part in short opening group time, large group time with music, stories, and games, and small group time with one adult and 4–5 children playing games, making crafts, or reading. Children have free play in a large front yard and indoor areas, backyard play, daily open-ended art projects, frequent science and cooking projects, and creative free play using tricycles, swings, climbing structures, an art area, a block and loft room, and a game room. The program also includes special activities such as Stuffy Veterinarian Classes, Yoga, Weaving, music with a music teacher who visits once a week in the morning and afternoon, observing caterpillars grow into butterflies, taking care of Native Plant Gardens, observing birds, butterflies, and insects in the gardens, and one field trip at the end of the school year.

• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: School year from mid-August through early June, plus a limited 5-week summer camp program

El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative’s school-year schedule includes a morning program from 8:30am–12 noon, an afternoon program from 1pm–4:30pm, a lunch hour from 12 noon–1pm, extended care in the morning from 8am–8:30am, and extended care in the afternoon from 4:30pm–5pm. During the school year there is a week off for Thanksgiving Break, a week off for Spring Break in April, and a two-week winter break in December. The summer camp program runs for 5 weeks from 9am–1pm, and children are expected to bring a lunch from home for the lunch hour.

The program includes hands-on presentations by El Cerrito firefighters, librarians, Tilden Park naturalists, The Bug Mobile, The Vivarium, and other special guests. Children also have access to healthy snacks available in the kitchen throughout the program. A music teacher visits the classroom once a week in both the morning and afternoon.

El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative is a non-profit, parent-run, play-based preschool that is owned, administered, and maintained by the parents. Parents assist the professional teachers in the classroom on a weekly basis, and each family shares in the business operation of the school through family jobs and maintenance parties. A director, a teacher, and five to six parent participators make up the staff each day, and the adult-to-child ratio is less than 1:4. Children must be 2 years, 9 months by September 1st for the school year they wish to join.

El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative states that it believes children learn best through self-directed play, and that its professional teaching staff provide a variety of experiences to suit the varied needs of growing children. The program states that at the heart of its work with children is a belief in supporting children’s emotional and social development, accomplished through extensive work with children on solving problems, encouraging listening and self-expression, and helping children practice the skill of self-regulation. The phrase “Play, Learn and Grow at ECPC” is used by the program.

El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative has been serving families in the greater Bay Area community since 1940 and is celebrating 85 years as a play-based parent participation cooperative preschool. It is described as one of the longest continuously running cooperatives in the United States and has been nominated for Best Preschool in the Best of El Cerrito Awards. The program holds California Department of Social Services licenses (Preschool #070200235 and School Age #070210526) and operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Last updated July 12, 2026.