Programs and Staff | Delaware Cooperative

DCP Has Two Classrooms

Toddler Time Program

These sessions are designed to cater to the child who is ready to learn social and educational basics. Toddler Time is for children ready to learn and play together with their peers, guided by a teacher and classroom volunteer. The primary focus is on development of social, gross and fine motor, language and self-help skills, so class consists of circle time, group experiences, guided free play and snack time.

Toddler Time is designed to be a 1-day-a-week experience and directed toward children from ages 2-3. Enrollment is limited to 7 children per session. Students must be 2 years old by August 1st to enroll.

Days offered: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Time: 9:30 - 11:30 am

Both classrooms are in session for 32 weeks during the school year with breaks at Autumn, Winter, and Spring holidays, coinciding with the Delaware City Schools calendar. Full calendar and events here!

Preschool Program

For preschool children, the hand is the instrument of the mind, and we prepare the environment of our preschool classroom with this as our guiding principle. In the classroom, children choose independently from carefully prepared materials in the curriculum areas of Math & Science, Language and Alphabetic Principles, Sensory & Motor Skills, Arts & Crafts or Practical Life Skills.

Our teachers work one on one with children, introducing new materials or lessons as each child appears ready. In addition to working freely with the classroom materials, teachers and children gather as a group for Circle Time and Snack Time.

Careful observation and guidance, nurture, and fun allow the children in our preschool program to grow in spirit, cognition, and self-discipline while caregivers and teachers work in cooperation toward these educational goals.

Choose to attend as few as one or as many as five days per week. Looking for an all-day experience?

DCP reserves 10 of the 16 spots during our Tuesday and Thursday (morning and afternoon) sessions for children who wish to experience a full day: 9:15 am-2:15 pm.

This class is geared toward children from ages 3-5. Enrollment is limited to 16 children per session. Children must be 3 years old by August 1st and potty-trained to enroll in Preschool classes.

Morning Class: Monday - Friday

Time: 9:15 - 11:45 am

Afternoon Class: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 11:45 am - 2:15 pm

24-25 Registration and Pricing

Selection of Sessions:

Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. Member Registration begins February 1st. Open Registration for the community begins right after our annual February Open House. Our open house is Wednesday, February 7 from 5:30-7:30 and registration opens at 8pm that evening to new members. Delaware Cooperative Preschool is committed to providing students and families with equal opportunity to programs/education without discrimination based on race, color, veteran status, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, or age. Classes are offered based on a minimum enrollment size.

Pricing:

Membership Fee: $60 per family

Session Fees:

TODDLER TIME: $634 for each session

PRESCHOOL: $713 for each session
*Please see tuition examples provided.

Cleaning Fee: $30 per child

Background Check Fee: $65 per person if completed at DCP's Meet the Teacher Night. Once completed, a background check remains valid for 5 years if volunteering at least once every six months.

Withdrawal: If you must withdraw your child, you must provide a 30-day written explanation for withdrawal and are responsible for paying tuition for 30 days following the notice. There will be no refunds after March 1st.

*Tuition Examples

Toddler Time Example: Toddler Time is designed to be a 1-day a week experience. 1 day / 1 session= $634 yearly.

Preschool Example 1:

You select a 3 day a week schedule (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), which equals 3 sessions. TUITION: 3 sessions x $713= $2,139 yearly.

Preschool Example 2:

You wish for your child to have a full-day preschool experience. You select Tuesday and Thursday morning and afternoon (9:15AM -2:15PM), which would equal 4 sessions. TUITION: 4 sessions x $713= $2,852 yearly.

Staff

Sarah Cooper

Ms. Sarah completed her Bachelors of Education in Early Childhood Education with a Reading Endorsement from Ohio University. Since then, she has taught Kindergarten in Onslow County Schools in North Carolina, and first and third grade in Prince William County, Virginia. She moved to Ohio with her baby daughter and husband, then had her son soon after. She was a parent of Delaware Cooperative Preschool as well as a board member. She loves reading with children as well as reading for her own leisure. She loves singing and music of all genres.

Mindy Bodenhorn

Ms. Mindy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies from Ohio University. She taught young children at the Goddard School in Dublin before working with families and older adults in Union County. Mindy stayed home with her daughter, who attended DCP for both toddler time and preschool, while also working as a caregiver for family. She served on the board and continued on as a substitute for DCP before joining as a classroom teacher. Mindy also enjoys volunteering in the community and has worked with Girl Scouts since 2013.

Mary Szymkowiak

Ms. Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Public Relations from The Ohio State University. Throughout her career, she worked with children of all ages, leading story times at Upper Arlington Public Library, teaching religious education through church, and in similar roles. She is a longtime Delaware resident, a wife, a mother, a Pawrent to 2 corgis, and a grandmother. She loves portrait photography, swimming and traveling.

Jen Rahde

Ms. Jen is a former Delaware Cooperative Preschool parent and board member. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education from The College of Wooster and a Masters of Arts in Counseling and Human Development from Walsh University. Ms. Jen spent 8 years teaching music to students K-12 and 2 years as a practicing Mental Health Counselor. She moved to Delaware in 2016 with her husband and three children (two DCP grads!). Ms. Jen loves being close to bodies of water, reading (both for her pleasure and to her children), singing, and dancing!