Happy Time Cooperative Preschool

Established in 1952, Happy Time is the only cooperative preschool in southern San Luis Obispo County. A cooperative preschool offers parents the opportunity to be fully involved with their child’s early education experience. Membership in our cooperative preschool brings the family together to plan and experience school events, fundraisers and social events. Each family gives ten hours per year of volunteer time, including a mandatory shift at one of the two fundraisers. There are several ways to donate the remaining eight hours: volunteering at fundraisers, events, taking on school projects or serving on a committee. Parents can also volunteer in the classroom in Option A or B memberships, which reduces the tuition. A Board comprised of parents administers the business of the school. Each family serves on a school committee. The paid Director/Teacher develops and administers the curriculum and children's program and supervises parent volunteers.

We invite you to visit us and find out what makes Happy Time Cooperative Preschool such an enriching place for preschoolers and their parents. Bring your child along and let him or her experience our secure, nurturing environment that provides numerous opportunities for exploration, play, and learning in a variety of ways and activities.

We offer a developmental program that is designed to meet the needs of children aged 3 (by September 1st) through 6 years. There are periods of time set aside for child-selected activities as well as teacher directed experiences. There are opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities, individual, small and large group activities, fantasy and play, creative expression, language development, large and fine motor skill development. Our Director/Teacher designs the curriculum and provides the materials and activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. In the preschool programs, the parents act as support staff. With the parents working, there is a ratio of one adult to five children, giving each child the opportunity to receive adult assistance when it is needed.

Cooperative preschools are unique in offering education to both parents and children. We benefit through our exposure to a wide variety of materials, through our experiences, and through the relationships we develop at school. We believe that the time spent at Happy Time Cooperative Preschool will be enjoyable, educational, sometimes challenging, and time very well spent.

Happy Time Cooperative Preschool is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, non-discriminating organization financed entirely by monthly tuition and fundraising activities. The school is licensed by the State of California as a child care facility and complies with all licensing requirements for parent participation schools. Happy Time Cooperative Preschool is conveniently located near many cities, including Nipomo, Oceano, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, and San Luis Obispo.

Facility number: 401700158