Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!
We are... Child Centered. Parent Involved.
Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!
We are... Child Centered. Parent Involved.
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We are... Child Centered. Parent Involved.
We are... Child Centered. Parent Involved.
* within reason we try to go outside each day: rain or shine.
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2-Day Program, Thursday & Friday: $208 per month.
3-Day Program, Monday - Wednesday: $271 per month.
5-Day Program, Monday - Friday: $403 per month.
Our schedule intentionally differs from most preschools. Consecutive school days offer repetition and continuity to help children feel secure and in control of their school experience, to better grasp a weekly unit, and to remember and carry over what they’ve learned.
Note that students must be 3 years old on or before September 1 to enroll.
A cooperative school is one that considers parents to be essential partners in their child’s learning. After all, who knows your child better than you? In a cooperative school (or co-op), parents and teachers work together to provide a well-rounded education that meets the needs of their children. Co-op programs are highly flexible, and don’t all look the same. At CLC students are under the care of a qualified teacher with the parents taking turns assisting in their child’s class. This creates a network of families dedicated to helping your child thrive. Parents also help to direct the focus of the school through monthly meetings. CLC’s cooperative model allows parents to have a say in their child’s learning, create connections with their child’s classmates and families, and can help a child’s transition to a classroom experience.
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To provide a child-centered and parent-involved preschool program based on the foundation of the Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles, and a belief that the family should be involved in their child’s development. Our program enhances the intellectual, emotional, physical, social and creative development of children within the preschool community.
Our school is located in, and affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Frederick, Maryland. Cooperative membership is open to all interested families. There is no requirement either to attend or join the UU Congregation. We do not promote any particular religious instruction. The principles we embrace are:
Disclaimer: This curriculum is subject to change without notice based on the needs and interests of students and availability of materials.
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We follow these “green” guidelines:
*CLC is a recipient of the GREENEST CLASSROOM AWARD, the PEACECRAFTERS AWARD, and the FREDERICK COUNTY WASTE REDUCTION and RECYCLING AWARD!
There is no separate Math Unit. Math concepts are introduced and reinforced throughout the year. These concepts include counting 1-30, pattern play, greater than/less than, matching, adding, subtracting, and graphing. These concepts are introduced through story, games, and playtime thus "planting the seeds" for further study in Kindergarten and beyond.Weekly homework packets begin going home in October and continue through the end of the year. These are entirely optional and are meant to reinforce letters, math skills, and fine motor skills and fun. If your child is not interested, hold onto the packets until he or she expresses interest.
The CLC curriculum introduces pre- and early-reading and math skills using a holistic approach to learning and development, designed to meet each child’s individual social, intellectual, and emotional needs. Instruction is play-based in order to meet students at their level and allow for personal exploration. Lessons are woven throughout structured time and free play in the form of songs, stories, art, and more. Children spend time both indoors and outdoors every day and use a variety of materials in order to gain shared and individual learning experiences.
There are many ways to learn, and this is ours!
As part of a cooperative preschool your child will be involved in a community of families, unified by their involvement and participation in the school community. At CLC the parents are the teacher’s assistants, allowing them to have an active, meaningful role in their child’s preschool experience. The parents also provide oversight for the preschool, allowing them to have a voice in the curriculum, classroom policies, and activities of the school; this free flow of ideas allows for true innovation and flexibility.
CLC parents are involved in their child’s preschool experience:
Our daily schedule is as follows:
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open to current families, past families, UUCF members and Kol Ami members. Open enrollment begins on February 1.
Please check the Student Forms section below to download the Enrollment form. Note that students must be 3 years old on or before September 1 to enroll.
The 1st month's (September's) tuition and one-time supply fee is due June 1. All other tuition payments are due on the 1st of the month before (ex: October's tuition is due September 1, November's tuition is due October 1, and so on).
Tuition and Fees*
A $50 Enrollment fee* is due when submitting the enrollment form(s)**. The Enrollment fee is discounted to $25 for current & former families, and members of UUCF and Kol Ami.
*Tuition is due on the first day of each month. The first non-refundable tuition payment (for the month of September) is due on June 1st as well as the non-refundable, one-time supply fee (Supply fee*: 5-day: $130, 3-day: $95, 2-day: $80). The second tuition payment is due on Sept. 1st (for October). Tuition is paid 30 days in advance.
CLC’s schedule intentionally differs from most preschools. Consecutive school days offer repetition and continuity to help children feel secure and in control of their school experience, to better grasp a weekly unit, and to remember and carry over what they’ve learned.
**Student and Parent Enrollment Forms are detailed below. Please download, review, and complete forms as needed.
If you are interested in learning more about the Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool, enrollment, or to schedule a tour, please contact us or use convenient our online appointment scheduling!
Please select a file below to download...
Tax ID Certification (W9) (pdf)
DownloadMaryland Release of Information- Child Care (pdf)
DownloadApplicant's Privacy Form (pdf)
DownloadPrivacy Act Statement (pdf)
DownloadMedical Evaluation for Childcare (pdf)
DownloadCLC Handbook Acknowledgement Form (pdf)
DownloadSTATE OF MARYLAND Background Check Form (pdf)
DownloadCLC Handbook 2024-2025 (pdf)
DownloadBecause Circle of Life is a cooperative preschool, parent involvement is very important. A cooperative allows you, the parent, to have a closer influence on the development of your child’s education. All Parents/Guardians that work directly with children agree to a background check, including fingerprinting at their expense. All of the positions on the Parent Council are on a volunteer basis. One parent per child must participate by being a voting member of the Parent Council.
Fundraising is an important part of CLC. The funds raised help us run the school, purchase classroom supplies, and renovate the playground. In keeping with the philosophy of teaching our children to be responsible stewards of the environment, we are continually moving toward more environmentally friendly and “green” fundraisers. We strive to support local businesses, and in doing so, we support our community. We have Congregational events such as bake sales and luncheons during the year. Parents are asked to help with at least one fundraiser throughout the year.
Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
If you have questions about the opportunities available to you in our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick, Maryland 21703, United States
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool
4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick, Maryland 21703, United States
Copyright © 2024 Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool - All Rights Reserved.
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