FAQ

What is a Parent Co-Operative Preschool?
Why choose co-op?
What are the responsibilities of a Bunker Hill participating family?
What am I expected to do when I’m working in the classroom?
How can I co-op if I have younger children? Do you have a nursery?
Do you offer extended care before or after school?
What (program years) does Bunker Hill Parent Participation Nursery School offer? What are the ages served at (BH) and what days/times are classes offered?
What is the school calendar?
Do children have to be potty trained?
When do you start accepting applications for the following school year?
When is your Open House?  How does the registration process work?
Can I have a tour before Open House?
Do you accept new students mid- year?
Is there any financial aid?
What if I’m scheduled to assist in the classroom and myself or my child is sick or I cannot otherwise work on my workday?
Are snacks provided?
How do you handle food allergies?
Do you have a summer program?

What is a Parent Co-Operative Preschool?
In a co-op preschool, parents are actively involved with the daily class activities of children, the creation and implementation of the school philosophy and rules, and gain the rewards of watching your child grow as well as learn from the knowledge of the teacher, other staff and fellow participating parents. At BHPPNS, families work in conjunction with our teachers and director to run the school, create the emergent curriculum, and become involved in your child’s early education, such that both you and your child benefit from participation. Even the Board of Directors is comprised of parents and oversees the financial and operational functions of the school.

Why Choose Co-op?
You are directly involved in your child’s first school experience and participate in your child’s education giving you a better feel for how your child learns and interacts with others.

  • You have a chance to observe, celebrate and enjoy those the early years of your child’s education and recognize that parents are the most important teachers a child will have.
  • You learn from parents, teachers, and other children right along with your child.
  • You increase your understanding of the developmental needs of children and learn parenting techniques for handling children at school and at home.
  • You will help your child to build a great foundation of respect and cooperation between parent and child
  • Your child will be assured a high adult-to-child ratio, meaning lots of helping hands and individual attention for each child
  • You receive lots of support and information from early childhood professionals.
  • You are given a strong and direct voice in decisions and policy-making
  • You will meet your child’s friends–when your child comes home and talks about whom they play with during the day, you will be able to interact on a deeper level.
  • You will be a part of an exceptional community, make connections, and share experiences and concerns with parents just like you!


What are the responsibilities of a BHPPNS participating family?

  • Participate in the classroom: work one class day a week under the guidance of a certified preschool Teacher, including providing an appropriate snack for all children when assigned (this responsibility is rotated among working families
  • Complete your Family Job: select and complete a school job as arranged with the Jobs Coordinator (over the school year approximately 30 hours of work outside of class time). Examples: Yard Maintenance, Big Room Maintenance, Paint Cups, Curriculum, Playdough Maker, Librarian, etc.
  • Parent(s) attend evening membership meetings (the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7-9 pm) in October, January, and March where we discuss the business of the school, upcoming events and meet as individual classes.
  • Pay tuition: due in advance-due at the monthly membership meeting or by the 2nd of each month at which point it becomes delinquent.
  • Parent participation  project: complete one project during class time that shares your skills, interests, or values with the children.
  • Snack: Provide an appropriate snack for all children; this responsibility is rotated across classroom volunteers.
  • Maintenance: each family is responsible for one laundry duty AND two community cleans throughout the year.

What am I expected to do when I’m working in the classroom?
When in the classroom, parents are given a tag reflecting their responsibilities that day. The tag lists the class schedule and details the parent’s responsibilities for the day.  The class Teacher will provide instructions for the days special projects. As parents, we help monitor the children facilitate play in manners consistent with the philosophy of BHPPNS. Parents work with the children on projects, help teach them, help inspire play, find teachable moments, and help them be successful.  Needs change organically and a parent may find themselves reading to the children, listening to tales, aiding in an impromptu puppet show, or helping the children build a fort. Parents also make sure the class runs smoothly by preparing for activities, assisting the children with clean up, getting ready for snack time and making sure that the classroom is put back together by the end of each class.

How can I co-op if I have younger children? Do you have a nursery?
We have a space available for sibling care; however, each family is responsible for arranging for a caregiver. This could be a relative, nanny or babysitter, or another parent in the school.

Do you offer extended care before or after school?
We do not offer extended care but many BHPPNS families have caregivers locally and have provided successful recommendations to fellow families in the community over the years.

What (program years) does Bunker Hill Parents Participation Nursery School offer? What are the ages served at BHPPNS and what days/times are classes offered?

BHPPNS provides classes for children from 2 years old as of September 1st of the school year until enrolled in 1st grade.

Our 2-day class is open to 2-3 year old children who turn 2 before their first day of school. This class is held Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00-11:30 am.

Our 3-day class is open to 3-4 year old children. This class is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Our Pre-K class is open to 4-5 year old children. This class is held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30-3:30 pm.

Children may attend BHPPNS until they are enrolled in 1st Grade. They may attend our school in lieu of Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten. California does not require Kindergarten enrollment.

What is the school calendar?
Our school holds classes September through June and adheres to national holidays and traditional school breaks. We do not conform exactly to the San Mateo Foster City Public School District’s schedule.

Do children have to be potty trained?
No, we welcome children before potty training. For all children, we ask that parents communicate their child’s diapering/ potty stage and provide sufficient clothing changes and diapers for their child’s needs. BHPPNS does not supply diapers or wipes.

When do you start accepting applications for the following school year? How does the Registration process work?

Our Open House is held the morning of the second Saturday in February (Saturday, February 4, 2023).  We begin accepting applications the afternoon after our open house via Jovial.  Come to our Open House to visit our school for the first time, or experience the magic all over again. We enroll classes on a first come, first serve basis.

When is your Open House?
Our Open House is held the second Saturday in February from 9am-12pm.  Children are welcome!  You will have the opportunity to meet our wonderful teachers, Director, and some current members, tour the school, and ask any questions you may have. We do not accept physical applications or fees at the Open House. Click here to apply.

Can I have a tour before Open House?

We offer monthly tours. We would love to show you and your children our facility!  Please RSVP on our Tours page.

If you are interested in enrolling for the current school year, we are happy to schedule a tour for you. Please contact membership@bunkerhillschool.org for current openings and to schedule a tour of the school.

Do you accept new students mid- year?
Yes, we do accept students throughout the year, provided there are spaces available.

Is there any financial aid?
BHPPNS is fortunate to be able to provide financial aid to families in an effort to partner with parents in the education of their children. Please see our Tuition page.

What if I’m scheduled to assist in the classroom and myself or my child is sick or I cannot otherwise work on my workday?
This is a common concern among parents as we all take our responsibilities seriously; we understand that as parents of young children the unexpected should be expected. Illness and other obstacles occur, and it is the responsibility of the working parent to find a substitute for coverage.  At the beginning of the year, each parent is given a roster with contact information for all the families in their class.  As soon as you know you won’t make it, post on your class’s konstella, email other families directly, or start calling other parents to find a sub. We’re all parents, and we all face this issue from time to time, so we work together and help each other out.  Classroom Volunteers are expected to swap with the family that subs for you or pay them a $50 sub fee.  While finding a sub from within your class is ideal, asking parents from the other BHPPNS classes is permitted and families are welcome to bring their own Bunker Hill registered child to class with them.  NOTE: This is a great way for parents and children in other classes to get to know the other teachers and families.

Are snacks provided?
Parents take turns providing healthy snacks for the children in the class. A snack parent is assigned as part of the schedule.  At your orientation, guidelines for snacks and allergy information for each class will be provided.

How do you handle food allergies?
BHPPNS must be informed of the type and severity of any allergy.  Each class will adjust snack requirements based on these allergies.

Do you have a summer program?
Yes, mixed-age Summer Sessions may be held with adequate enrollment and a maximum of 20 children, pending membership and staff interest. Summer Adventure Camp is open to currently enrolled students only.