ABOUT
Who we are
As a family participation school, Catonsville Cooperative Preschool has been teaching children through play for 80 years.
We have generations of families returning to the Co-op to ensure that their children are able to have the same fantastic childhood co-op experience.
We offer programs for children who are two, three, and four years old at the start of the school year.
Programs
The 2’s program meets one day a week, and a parent attends each class. In our program, two-year-olds are introduced to creative play and early learning concepts, all keeping their pint-sized personalities in mind. Every week has a different theme, with matching activities, an art project, and a book at story time.
Through play-based learning, children learn age-appropriate topics, like colors, shapes, name recognition, and the natural world. With their parents’ support, children embark on the exciting journey of learning and making friends. The class size is limited to 10 children.
Days either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. School goes from mid-September to mid-May.
Times 9:30 am -11:30 am
Registration Fee $35 (same for new and returning families)
Tuition (2024-2025) $265 per semester
Time commitment for families
- Attend class each week with their child
- One housekeeping of the school during the year
The Co-op’s 3-year-old program centers on the transition from home to school. As they move away from family and out into the world, children start to view themselves as capable beings who can become responsible for themselves – all with the support of their family and community. Each day in the Co-op offers opportunities for children to try new things, discover themselves, and, of course, play!
Throughout the year, children have positive, age-appropriate experiences with literacy, science, mathematical concepts, and the arts. The adult:child ratio is 1:4, and enrollment is capped at 18 children.
Days
Tuesday and Thursday. School goes from mid-September to mid-May
Times
9:30 am -12:30 pm
Registration Fee $55 (same for new and returning families)
Tuition (2024-2025) $130 per month
Time commitment for families
3’s parents are required to:
- Work in the classroom as a parent volunteer (about once a month)
- Serve in a designated job or as an officer on the board (several hours a month)
- Attend one housekeeping of the school (one Saturday morning during the school year)
- Attend General Membership Meetings (6 – 7 evenings a school year)
- Pack up the classroom a Saturday morning after school closes (Closing the Closet)
- Attend orientation (one evening right before the school year begins)
Now that the four-year-olds in our Prekindergarten program can be responsible for themselves, the focus expands to include responsibility to others. As they play, pretend, create, build, sing, learn, and discover together, children deepen their understanding of the world and their role in it. The goal is to develop a love of learning, and children can do that in an intentional environment where every choice leads to a valuable experience, whether from building at the maker space or pretending in the creative play area.
Children get the opportunity to care for the classroom and for living things, like real eggs and chicks. Special projects, field trips, and open play cover every meaningful element of academic learning, including literacy, science, and mathematical concepts. The adult:child ratio is 1:4, and enrollment is capped at 18 children.
Days
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. School goes from mid-September to mid-May
Times
9:30 am -12:30 pm
Registration Fee $55 (same for new and returning families)
Tuition (2024-2025) $180 per month
Time commitment for families
4’s parents are required to:
- Work in the classroom as a parent volunteer (about 2 times a month)
- Serve in a designated job or as an officer on the board (several hours a month)
- Attend one housekeeping of the school (one Saturday morning during the school year)
- Attend General Membership Meetings (6 – 7 evenings a school year)
- Prepare the classroom a Saturday morning before school opens (Opening the Closet)
- New families must attend orientation (one evening right before the school year begins)
More Questions?
- Curious about what it’s like to be part of a cooperative preschool?
- Interested in Community Events?
- Are you a current parent? Login to Jovial Family to pay tuition, see the volunteer schedule, or turn in forms
- Other questions? Check out our FAQ
Staff Bios
Sandra Faria
Director
Sandra has worked as an early childhood teacher, coach, and director for several decades. Most recently she worked for an ECE curriculum and assessment company leading their professional development department. She is the proud Vovó (grandmother) to a Co-op graduate and to a rising Sprout!
Favorite children’s song: “Apples and Bananas”
Favorite vegetable: all of them
Jen Tiedeman
Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Jen is a mom of two girls, who both went through the Co-op starting in 2018. She was a substitute for the Co-op before joining as the Pre-K teacher, and has also worked as a Tinkergarden leader, directing play-based outdoor classes for kids. She loves being outside and can’t wait to explore, play and learn with the Blooms!
Favorite animal: dog
Favorite sandbox toy: dumptruck
Bridget Hackley
3s Teacher
Ms. Bridget’s family are Co-op veterans: Both of her daughters participated in the Co-op’s programs for all three years and loved it. Prior to joining the Co-op, Ms. Bridget taught ESOL to elementary and middle school students. She loved being home in her daughters’ younger years and building community at the Co-op. Ms. Bridget also enjoys teaching yoga to adults; she enjoys reading and staying active in her free time.
Favorite color: blue…but also all of the colors!
Favorite fruit: berries
Erin Furth
2s Teacher
Erin has previously been a substitute teacher both at the Co-op and with Baltimore County Public Schools, as well as a children’s librarian before deciding to stay home with her children. Three of her four children attended the Co-op. She enjoyed being a part of the school community and is thrilled to still be a part of the school!
Favorite children’s book: The Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Favorite number: 2
History
1937
Mrs. Ellen Price begins a cooperative kindergarten in her home on Summit Avenue (and later on Rosewood Avenue) to help meet the needs of her bright young son Bill.
1939
A group of Catonsville parents offers to fund a non-profit cooperative kindergarten if the Baltimore County School system will provide housing in a school facility. Their petition is denied.
1944
The Catonsville Cooperative Kindergarten is established and 38 students attend in two sessions at the Baptist Church on Ingleside Avenue.
1945
The Catonsville Kindergarten Association is incorporated. Mothers act as assistants to the classes’ teachers. Fathers build furniture for the classrooms.
1946
The kindergarten moves to larger quarters in the Catonsville United Methodist Church (the Coop’s current location).
1968
A vote by the membership to close the school (due to the wide availability of public kindergartens) is amended to instead convert the kindergarten to a nursery school (ages 3-5) and reincorporate as Catonsville Nursery Association, Inc.
1988
Kindergarten is once again added in afternoon sessions to the program through the Catonsville Nursery Association. Inc.
1992
Due to low enrollment, kindergarten sessions are again closed. The nursery school continues to flourish.
2003
Catonsville Nursery Association, Inc. becomes Catonsville Cooperative Preschool, Inc. Five classes for two-, three-, and four-year-olds are offered.
2020
The Co-op switches to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
After months of virtual learning, children and their families are ready to come back to in-person learning in the fall in of 2021.
Site Credits
Homepage icons – Flower icons created by smashingstocks – Flaticon
Website design and copy: our wonderful Co-op volunteers