About Ballard Preschool Co-op
Ballard Preschool Co-op (BPC), a program of the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA), fosters a strong sense of community for families in Ballard and beyond. Our nurturing, play-based preschool program welcomes children ages 0-5, providing a supportive environment where they can learn and grow. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, BPC remains an accessible resource for local families.
What’s a Cooperative Preschool?
In our cooperative (or co-op) preschool, each classroom is led by a teacher and supported by a parent educator, with parents and caregivers actively participating as teaching assistants. This collaborative approach ensures a high adult-to-child ratio, fostering increased individualized attention. This model creates a rich learning environment for children while simultaneously supporting families in their parenting journey. Children benefit from experienced early education teachers and the cooperative classroom setting, while parents gain valuable instruction and guidance from teachers, parent educators, as well as become part of a supportive community of families with young children.
Ballard Preschool Co-op is a vibrant, community-based cooperative preschool that fosters the social, emotional, physical, and mental development of young children through play-based, structured learning. Our nurturing and connected community supports not just our students, but their parents and caregivers as well, as they learn and grow side by side.
Our Goals
Create a safe, supportive, fun, and stimulating environment that encourages the social, emotional, physical, and mental development of young children through creative classroom and outdoor play.
Nurture each child’s sense of accomplishment and personal growth.
Encourage families to share their unique talents, interests, and experiences in ways that enhance their child’s class, as well as the larger preschool community.
Provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to participate in their child’s first educational experience, working closely with teachers, parent educators, and each other to learn about child development and behavior, as well as parenting.
Foster a sense of community, support, and belonging for all those involved in the preschool.
Enrollment
2024-25 School Year
We have open spots for the current school year! Check out the below class offerings to learn more about availability. For classes that are at capacity, the registrar will contact families in waitlist order as spots open up.
2025-26 School Year
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open on February 17, 2025. We recommend that interested families fill out our pre-registration form as soon as possible, as some classes have many returning students and open spots will fill up quickly. Once our All-School Registrar receives your pre-registration submission, they will reach out to you with an application and further enrollment information.
Find out more
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for information on enrollment, scholarships, open houses, community events, and more!
Class Offerings
BPC offers five classes from Infant through Pre-K. All classes meet on the grounds of the Northwest Christian Church (7503 18th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117).
A parent (or other caregiver) must actively participate in the classroom 1 day per week for all classes. On-site sibling care may be available for children not participating in class while their parent is working in the classroom for a small fee. Children in the Twos and 3-5s/Pre-K classes also attend preschool on days in which their caregiver is not in the classroom. Our school year largely follows the Seattle Public Schools calendar. All age ranges are as of August 31 preceding the school year.
Tuition Information
2024-2025 Tuition
For class tuition rates, please see the above class offerings.
Non-refundable Tuition & Fees Due Upon Enrollment
- Yearly registration fee: $80
- June tuition: Half of monthly tuition listed above (prorated as June is a half month of school).
- Payment and information for a national criminal background check: $12
Due September 1st
- September tuition: As listed above
- Annual membership to the Phinney Neighborhood Association: $80
Fundraising Commitment
Maintaining the high quality of our programs requires resources beyond tuition revenue. To support this, each family makes an annual fundraising contribution ranging from $175 to $275 per student, determined by class level and the number of enrolled children.
Scholarships & Emergency Assistance
We offer tuition scholarships to help make our programs accessible to all families. These scholarships, which can cover 25% to 75% of tuition, are awarded twice per year, with application deadlines in September and January. For families facing unexpected financial hardship, emergency tuition assistance may also be available at the discretion of the BPC Board.
BPC Staff
Christine Miller, Teacher
Infants, Toddlers, 3-5s/Pre-K, MAC
Hi! My name is Christine Miller. I found my passion for Early Childhood Education when I enrolled my daughter at Ballard Preschool Co-op. She started in the Infants class and we grew and learned together all the way through the 3-5s class. When my second daughter was born, I enrolled her at the co-op too! When they both graduated to elementary, I decided it was time to explore my next steps in Early Childhood Education, and received my BAS in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College in Spring 2021. I am so thankful to jump into my career as an educator here at Ballard Preschool Co-op, where I’ve found community, connection, and joy! My goal is to provide a safe and welcoming space where children can comfortably explore, grow and connect with others and the environment surrounding them. In my free time, I love to draw with my daughters, go on walks, read, go to coffee shops, try out new recipes, eat my favorite foods, and spend quality time with family and friends!
Katie Grant, Teacher
Twos
Hi, I’m Teacher Katie! I’ve been teaching young children for over 2 decades, spanning toddlers through tutoring high school students. While teaching at early childhood centers, I began to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, which I completed in Spring of 2016. I first joined the co-op world when my daughter was 2, and quickly became attached to the format and community it provides for families. I joined BPC as the 2s teacher in 2019, and am excited to return in 2021 as students resume in-person classes. My philosophy when teaching young children is “to meet them where they are, engage them using topics they are naturally interested in, and always remain flexible in the classroom environment.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does co-op participation entail?
All parents participate in class according to their child’s age and have school jobs. Infants’ and Toddlers’ parents attend every class; Twos’ parents attend one of two classes per week; Threes’ parents attend one of three classes per week. Parents are welcome to stay in the classroom until their child is fully comfortable.
Rotating class jobs include providing snacks, supervising activities, and cleaning up. Each family must also hold a class or school job (e.g. Class Secretary), participate in facility maintenance, and agree to fundraise a minimum of $175-275 during the school year depending on the number of children enrolled.
Do you run background checks on parents and caregivers working in the classroom?
Yes. The PNA runs a national background check for all of their staff (that includes our teachers and parent educators) and any volunteers who work with children and/or seniors. As workers in the BPC classrooms, we are PNA volunteers.
All parents and caregivers (ie: grandparents, nannies, etc.) working in the classroom will be required to have a background check completed.
Are there vaccination requirements for parents and caregivers?
Yes. Ballard Preschool Co-op requires proof of MMR and full COVID-19 vaccination (including boosters) for all in-class working caregivers and teaching staff. For caregivers working in the infants class, an up-to-date Tdap vaccination is also required.
COVID-19 vaccinations are highly recommended for children ages 6 months and up, but not required.
Even though adults in the classroom are only required to show proof of one booster, vaccinated adults and children are strongly encouraged to stay up-to-date with all recommended boosters.
How do we join?
Our beloved program offers a nurturing and enriching experience for children and caregivers alike, and as a result, we sometimes have waiting lists. If you believe our preschool would be a good fit for your family, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. To learn more or begin the pre-registration process, please email the BPC All-School Registrar or fill out our pre-registration form. We warmly welcome children of all nationalities, races, creeds, and backgrounds, fostering a diverse and inclusive learning community.