History

In 2002, the San Juan County Board of Commissioners chose the Lopez Cooperative Preschool as the County’s candidate for a Community Block Grant to construct a building for the care and education of young children. Licensed child care on Lopez Island was their top priority. The Preschool Board accepted the challenge that would also provide them with a larger preschool facility.

The Preschool Board delegated the project to their Development committee with the caveat that parent members themselves did not want to have the responsibility for fund raising, construction, child care or responsibility for the building beyond their own area which they would occupy without charge.

The Development Committee, a small but committed group of community members, formed various subcommittees for planning and construction. Consultants were hired or donated their services. The building was constructed with as many volunteers and as much “green” construction as possible, rewarding parents of Lopez Island with a safe and beautiful environment that nurtures the development of their young children.

LCC opened its doors to young enrollees in September of 2003 and has been offering high quality early childhood education since that time.

Today

Currently the Lopez Cooperative Preschool retains control of their self-supporting activities including responsibility for maintaining their portion of the structure. The Lopez Children’s Center Board is responsible for the overall support and maintenance of the physical structure and grounds, as well as providing program direction for the early learning programs.