Cooperative Playschool

"The Cooperative Playschool" is an affiliated program at First Unitarian Church of Orlando. It is run by the director, Elizabeth Levensohn. The Playschool Advisory Board also oversees it.

Playschool is usually open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 6 PM.

It follows the Orange County school schedule and provides daycare and after school care for church members and friends (There may be special hours during school breaks, holidays, and summers.)

OUR PLAYSCHOOL MISSION

The mission of "The Cooperative Playschool" held at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando is to offer a high-quality playschool that provides:

• A place to celebrate the spirit of each child and honor the uniqueness of each family

• An open-minded and attachment parenting friendly community in which families volunteer time and resources toward the running of the playschool

• An atmosphere of learning that is informed by the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism

• A way to put our belief that "It takes a village to raise a child" into action

• With the partnership of families and playschool staff, create a model community that will guide our children throughout their lives.

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM FOR CHILDREN

1. Each person is important

2. Be kind in all you do

3. We're free to learn together...

4. ... and search for what is true

5. All people need a voice

6. Build a fair and peaceful world

7. We care for Earth's lifeboat / Planet Earth

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Bev Bos in "Before the Basics" on child-centered early education:

"I am convinced that what we do with children before they begin their formal education is crucial to their full mastery to those areas we popularly call "the basics."

I am even more convinced that what we do with children before they begin their formal education will be crucial to the rest of their lives... Before reading (and other 'sit down' learning, children need experiences with wind, dirt, mud, water; experiences with other children, running, walking, flowers, books, smells, gardens, balls, soft things, hard things, music, moving, trains.... They need experiences with wood, building, rolling, swinging, clouds, rain... Children were born to run - barefoot, over rocks, through the water, through the mud. By encouraging a sense of playfulness and wonder, we will be able to instill in future generations a sense of wonder, a sense of humor, a sense of compassion, a sense of optimism about life and living -- a sense that we surely will need if we are to survive." NEED MORE INFO? If you need more information, current tuition prices, or wish to schedule a visit, please call Elizabeth Levensohn at (407) 898-3621 ext.5 during playschool hours.

Elizabeth Levensohn, Playschool Director