Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool
Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool
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Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!

Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!

We are... Child Centered. Parent Involved.

Contact Us

(301) 473-7680

Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!

Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!Welcome to Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool!

We are... Child Centered. Parent Involved.

Contact Us

(301) 473-7680

At a Glance

Why Choose CLC?

Our Unique Schedule and Value!

Our Unique Schedule and Value!


  • Small classes featuring 2, 3, and 5 day options
  • Organic snacks & allergy-conscious classroom
  • Green cleaning & classroom practices 
  • Cooperative environment with parents in the classroom 
  • Curricula blends Montessori, Waldorf, and Spirit Play
  • Gorgeous rural setting in Frederick, Maryland
  • Mixed-age classroom
  • Outdoor play everyday* 

* within reason we try to go outside each day: rain or shine.


Check out our Gallery to get a CLC preview!

 

Our Unique Schedule and Value!

Our Unique Schedule and Value!

Our Unique Schedule and Value!

 

 2-Day Program, Thursday & Friday: $195 per month.


3-Day Program, Monday - Wednesday: $258  per month.


5-Day Program, Monday - Friday: $384 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.   

We are a Cooperative...

Our Unique Schedule and Value!

We are a Cooperative...

 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.  


 Like what you see... schedule a tour.

About Us ...

Our Mission

A Unique, First-Rate Curriculum

A Unique, First-Rate Curriculum

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: 

  • We believe each and every person is important.  
  • We believe all people should be treated fairly and kindly.  
  • We believe we should accept one another and keep on learning together.  
  • We believe each person must be free to search for what is true and right.  
  • We believe all persons should have a say about the things that concern them.   
  • We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.  
  • We believe in caring for the planet Earth, our home, which we share with all  living things.

A Unique, First-Rate Curriculum

A Unique, First-Rate Curriculum

A Unique, First-Rate Curriculum

Disclaimer: This curriculum is subject to change without notice based on the needs and interests of students and availability of materials.


  • September: Getting to know one another, beginning Fire Safety
  • October: Letters: A, B, C, D, and complete Fire Safety Unit, Introduce Classroom Helpers, Night Time and Nocturnal Animals
  • November: Letters: E, F, G, H, and Restaurants, Food Groups, Sharing
  • December: Letters: I, J, K, L, and Winter Holidays, Giving Gifts
  • January: Letters: M, N, O, P, and Weather and the Water Cycle, Planting Seeds, Begin Word Chunk Phonics
  • February: Letters: Q, R, S, T, and our Healthy Bodies, Yoga
  • March: Letters: U, V, W, X, and Spring Changes, Eggs and Who Lays Them
  • April: Letters: Y, Z, and Complete Spring Changes, Begin Teacher for A Day
  • May: Complete Teacher for a Day Unit, Planning End of the Year Party



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... More About Us

CLC is a “green”* school

Our Curriculum sets CLC apart

Our Curriculum sets CLC apart

 We follow these “green” guidelines:   

  • Mostly wood furniture with a low-VOC finish    
  • Toys and materials are primarily made from renewable or recycled materials     
  • Chemical-free cleaning and castile soap   
  • Reusable dishes, cups, and tableware     
  • Recycle and compost


*CLC is a recipient of the GREENEST CLASSROOM AWARD, the PEACECRAFTERS AWARD, and the FREDERICK COUNTY WASTE REDUCTION and RECYCLING AWARD! 

Learn more

Our Curriculum sets CLC apart

Our Curriculum sets CLC apart

Our Curriculum sets CLC apart

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! 

Learn more

Our Cooperative

CLC Reading Center

Our Community

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.

Parent Involvement

Parent Involvement!

CLC parents are involved in their child’s preschool experience:

  • Assist in their child’s class; An average of once per month in the 3-day class, and once every five weeks in the 2-day class.
  • Bring the class snack on the day they assist.
  • Participate in monthly Parent Council meetings.
  • Assist with fundraising activities.

Green Classroom

A Typical Morning...

Our daily schedule is as follows:    

  • Free play and welcome to school    
  • Opening Lesson, Large Group: stories, songs, lessons    
  • Free Play: centers, art, small group activities    
  • Mini-Lesson, Large Group: calendar, sharing, story lessons      
  • Snack Time     
  • Outdoor Play      
  • Dismissal

Enrollment

Enrollment for the 2023-2024 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. 


  • 2-Day Program, Thursday & Friday: $195 per month
  • 3-Day Program, Monday - Wednesday: $258 per month
  • 5-Day Program, Monday - Friday: $384 per month     


  

*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!

Contact Us

Student Forms

Please select a file below to download...

Maryland Emergency Form- Child Care (pdf)

Download

Maryland Blood Lead Testing Certification (pdf)

Download

Maryland Health Inventory (pdf)

Download

CLC Photo Release Form.doc (pdf)

Download

2023-2024 Enrollment Form_ CLC (pdf)

Download

Parent Forms

 Please select a file below to download... 

Tax ID Certification (W9) (pdf)

Download

Maryland Release of Information- Child Care (pdf)

Download

Maryland Medical Report- Child Care (pdf)

Download

Applicant's Privacy Form (pdf)

Download

Privacy Act Statement (pdf)

Download

CLC Handbook 2022-2023-2-2 (pdf)

Download

Parent Council

Parent Involvement

Because 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

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.       

Board Positions (Elected)

  • Parent Council Chair  
  • Treasurer  
  • Secretary  
  • Fundraising Chair  
  • Marketing Chair    

Non-Elected Positions

  • Classroom Aides (required of one parent per child  approximately once a month.)  
  • Snack Coordinator  
  • Calendar Coordinator  
  • Social Media Coordinator  
  • Web Master  
  • Administrative Director    

Photo Gallery

    Contact Us

    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.

    Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool

    4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick, Maryland 21703, United States

    (301) 473-7680

    Hours

    Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 12:00pm

    Saturday - Sunday: Closed

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    Circle of Life Cooperative Preschool

    4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick, Maryland 21703, United States

    (301) 473-7680

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    Enrollment for the 2023-2024 School Year opens in February

    Check out our Events page to schedule a tour. 

    Learn more