Our Mission
The mission of the Lopez Children's Center is to provide an environment which nurtures the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of young children and their families.
Our Programs
The Lopez Children's Center provides care and early learning experiences for young children between the ages of 24 months and six years old. The Children's Center is the home of the Lopez Cooperative Preschool, a parent cooperative with over thirty years of history on Lopez Island.
The Cooperative Preschool enrolls children age 3-5. Two and three day classes are offered from the middle of September through the first week of June. The preschool follows the school district calendar for holidays and breaks. The Cooperative is directed by a board of parents and community members. Parents assist in class, provide daily snacks and attend monthly co-op and parent education meetings. The Cooperative is affiliated with Skagit Valley College.
The Children's Center also provides year-round, full-day and half-day childcare in our Play And Learn (PAL) Program for children from the age of 24 months through six years, and a before or after-school kindergarten program. The PAL Program is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5:15 pm. We are closed for six holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th , Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. We may also be closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, depending on the needs of families.
Our Curriculum
In our programs you will see a variety of planned, age appropriate learning activities, such as painting & collage, puzzles & games, building with blocks of all sorts, stories, writing & book making, science explorations, music and dramatic play with costumes and props. Children choose activities which best suit their interests and developmental level. Large and small group activities, and lots of time for free play, promote social skills. A small adult-to-child ratio provides supportive attention to each child's needs. Outdoor play and large muscle activities are part of every day. Communication and strong relationships with parents are valued, and parents are always welcome in our classrooms.
Our curriculum and practice are guided by the recommendations of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as outlined in the following references: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs, Revised , 1997 and Reaching Potentials: Appropriate Curriculum and Assessment for Young children, 1992.
Arrival & Departure
When you arrive, please walk your child into his/her classroom and sign in on the daily attendance log, legibly writing your complete first and last name. Sign your child out at the end of the day in the same manner. If you sign in/out more than one child you must completely sign in/out each child with your signature. Only you or the people you have authorized may pick up your child. You will list them and their phone numbers on the consent form.
Please pick your child up promptly at the end of the program. Sign out, check for items to take home, and say goodbye to the teacher. Please call the Center if you are going to be late for any reason. We have a late pick-up fee policy that we prefer not to use. The late fee is the full actual cost of the teacher who is attending your child while waiting for your arrival.
Child Abuse Reporting
As teachers in a licensed early childhood center, we are required to report instances of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social & Health Services.
Clothing & Toys
Please dress your child in washable play clothes suitable for the weather. They may get dirty from play with water, sand, paint and clay. Shoes should be appropriate for running and climbing. Avoid thongs, sandals, cowboy boots and long or tight skirts. Please label outer garments with your child's name. Please bring an extra set of clothing each day for your child if (s)he may need these clothing items. We have extra clothing in case your child has an accident. If your child should wear them home, please return them laundered as soon as possible. Also, if your child wears diapers, please bring enough diapers each day for your child. You may store a bag of diapers labeled with your child’s name in the PAL room.
Please do not send candy or gum with your child; they are not permitted. Additionally, we would prefer that children not bring toys from home.
Our Guidance Policy
We are fortunate to live in a community with so many resources available to us in our work with young children. We value a team approach, and rely on parents’ input and participation to help us in nurturing the unique development of each child.
What behaviors do we encourage?
In our programs, parents and teachers work together to nurture each child’s unique and healthy development. Here are some of the values and behaviors we look for and encourage in our children:
Respect: for each other's bodies, feelings, possessions, and desires
Kindness: helping, listening, sharing, understanding others
Problem solving: by listening and using words, negotiation and compromise
Cooperating: sharing, taking turns
Learning these behaviors and practical skills is not easy, and takes loving guidance from teachers and parents, along with time, patience, and lots of practice.
Illness & Health Concerns
Keep your child at home when sick. We do our best not to spread illness throughout our programs. On arrival, staff will observe the children's general health. We exclude children with fever, diarrhea, vomiting, body rash, sore throat, or eye discharge and follow our Health Policy which includes a policy for excluding ill children. Have a back-up care plan for your ill child, and please let us know about any illness. Please list your back-up plan options in the registration packet.
We do not generally give prescription medicines to children in our care. We never administer nonprescription medicines. If you feel that your child has a special need that would prohibit his participation in our programs without the administering of medicines, please discuss your needs with the Director.
Field Trips
Our preschool and childcare programs include educational trips around the island as part of their curriculum. Walking trips include regular visits to the library, the community garden, the wetlands and the public access beach. Parents are asked to complete a field trip release at registration. Parents will be informed, and parent authorization will be obtained, prior to each field trip which requires vehicle transportation.
Parents will be required to provide an appropriate car seat for their children in the event that children are transported by private vehicle. Drivers of vehicles that transport children will have a Washington State driver's license and proof of insurance.
Parent Participation
Parents are always welcome in Lopez Children’s Center. Parents may visit their children unannounced at any time. Parents may choose to have lunch with their child, and to stay a few minutes or several hours to assist their children to transition to the Preschool or PAL classroom.
Parents who wish to become regular volunteers or substitute teacher assistants in the Preschool or PAL classroom may apply with the Children’s Center Director.
Down Load Parent Information Packet
Down Load PAL Program Registration Document