Welcome to the Big Bend Community College Co-op Preschools & Parent Education Program!
Many wonderful opportunities for learning and growing alongside your child await you. By participating in this parent run and operated, co-operative educational situation, you will be actively giving the gift of your time and energy to your child or children. You will receive the gift of being able to closely observe, as well as assist, your young child in exploring and learning through classroom play and teacher-directed activities. Based on a developmentally appropriate model, this is a unique, hands-on experience for both you and your child. We hope you will find the details you need on this page but please feel free to contact the parent coordinator, parent educator, or the preschools for further information.
Toddler (12 mos.-2 yrs.) parents attend each class with their child. 2-day (3&4s) and 3-day (4&5s) pre-school parents rotate the days they work (usually once a week). You will be directed by the classroom teacher as to what theme-oriented activities you will be assisting with. In the classroom, along with teacher-planned activities, your child will have opportunities to engage with a sand table, play-dough, puzzles, books, and items for pretend play (such as a child-sized kitchen, toys and dress-ups). Also in the classroom are games that encourage fine and gross motor skills, as well as other developmentally appropriate indoor activities. We also have an outside space with outdoor toys. You will work with the other parents in your classroom to provide a safe and healthy place to learn. It might also be considered an opportunity for you to mentor with more seasoned parents and quality teachers. We can all recognize that parenting is an ongoing experience best accomplished with wisdom and help.
- PARENT MEETINGS FOR COLLEGE CREDITS:
By attending this program with your child, you will obtain BBCC credits. To obtain credit, you will be required to attend the monthly parent meetings, pay your fees on time, participate in fund-raising activities, and perform committee work. In the meetings, you will be learning specifics about your children’s mental/physical development as well as invaluable parenting practices and tips. The meetings are also to keep you updated by the current parent/teacher board as to the business and operations of the school, and for making important decisions pertaining to the school. The meetings are mandatory because they are considered your class time, and will need to be made-up if missed.
- CONTACTS (For Locations, Schedules, etc.):
BBCC Parent Education Coordinator: Hannah Nelsen: 509-793-2170
BBCC Moses Lake Parent Educator: Jaynae Bunch: 509-488-6427
BBCC Ritsville Parent Educator: Wendy Risenmay: 509-488-2442
BBCC Othello Parent Educator: Maureen Roylance: 509-488-2349