North Seattle Cooperative Preschools

The Wallingford 3-5s Class meets from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday. Children must be 3 years old by August 31 of that year to participate. Those children who are 4 years old by August 31 will also meet for PreK-specific curriculum and small groups on Monday from 12:00 – 3:30 PM and Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 9:00 – 1:00 PM (No PreK extra hour on Wednesdays).

Our 3-5’s class is a mixed age class with both 3 and 4 year olds (or what we call PreK). This class is inviting and energetic! Your child will thrive learning to make their first friends as they immerse themselves in our classroom.

Every class starts with a “Morning Meeting”. This meeting time is a first introduction in learning to raise your hand, listening to instructions from a teacher and sharing stories with friends. After meeting kids move to free play. Free play stations include painting easels, art projects, the block area, a writing center where kids can draw, write, tape, and hole punch, a science and discovery station, an ever-changing motion area, and a playhouse for dramatic play. After free play the children have snack, where they learn to serve their own food. Time outside follows snack time, rain or shine! Kids have fun on our private play yard where they can climb, ride tricycles, play in the sand box and slide.

Our Pre-K Lunch Bunch will enjoy an extra hour in the classroom each day, learning to eat lunch away from home and finishing their day with Pre-K specific activities. Pre-K children also attend school on Monday afternoons. These extended hours in the classroom allow us to dive deeper into our Pre-K curriculum, which includes author studies, dictation of “Preschool News”, specific science explorations, and special units such as our Family Study, which are meaningful for this age group.

3-5s Class Schedule for Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:
9:00-9:10 Arrival
9:10-9:25 Morning Meeting
9:25-10:40 Free Play
10:40-11:00 Clean Up and Wash Hands
11:00-11:15 Snack
11:15-11:45 Outside Play
11:45-12:00 Music and Story Circle
12:00 Goodbye to 3-4s
12:00-12:25 PreK Lunch
12:25-12:50 PreK Activities
12:50-1:00 PreK Closing Circle

PreK Class Schedule for Monday:

12:00-12:10 Arrival

12:10-12:25 Morning Meeting

12:25-12:45 Lunch

12:45-2:00 Free Play

2:00-2:10 Clean up

2:10-2:50 Outside Play

2:50-3:00 Circle Time

Our Teacher – Elise Knox

Elise thoroughly enjoyed participating in co-op preschool as a parent for 13 years, the last 9 of which were spent at Wallingford. While her kids were ready to move on after their coop years, Elise found that she wasn’t! It was exciting for her to transition into teaching, and she finds her many years of coop preschool experience to be an invaluable resource. She has taught a Parent/Infant class, Pre-3’s, 3-4’s, and PreK children. Elise studied psychology at Washington State University and is devoted to the pursuit of educational opportunities that enhance her proficiency both in and out of the classroom. Elise lives in the West Woodland neighborhood with her lively family of 6. She is deeply involved at West Woodland Elementary where she runs the Enrichment Program. As time allows, she enjoys adventuring in the PNW, reading, supporting her kids in their many endeavors, and spending time with friends and family.

Teacher Elise believes in the coop preschool model because it supports families and allows children to learn through play in a safe and encouraging environment. When children learn through play, their learning is meaningful and relevant. For this reason, play is at the heart of the school day in the 3-5’s class. Children who are engaged in free play will naturally “bump into” one another and will learn much in the process. Children will develop and fine-tune social skills; grow in emotional awareness; become creative problem solvers; make progress in controlling impulses; persevere through disappointment and rejection; and gain practice in coping with strong feelings. Children will take creative, social, and physical risks; make mistakes; and try again in the context of a warm and supportive classroom community. Enticing art, science, and other areas of study are thoughtfully prepared with the children’s development in mind. Teacher Elise’s warm, calm, and engaging demeanor puts the children at ease. The connection she forms with each child lets them know that they are each an important part of their classroom community.

Last updated: May 19th, 2025, 11:05 pm