Our History
Thank you for your interest in our school. SCPI began in 1967 with a group of mothers and approximately 40 four year old children. Since that time, there have been name changes, location changes, and countless hours of volunteering to make our preschool the great place that it is today. Hundreds of children's lives have been enriched in the past 40 years through their experience at SCPI. We are pleased to have a number of alumni that are now involved with their children! We have an outstanding reputation within the Sparta community for offering parents with the opportunity to be directly involved in their child's early education.
Our People
Sparta Cooperative Preschool is proud to introduce our teaching staff. Lenee' Anderson, "Mrs. A", teaches all of our classes. Mrs. A grew up in the area and is raising her family here. Her own daughter attended the co-op. She has been teaching at SCPI for 8 years. She is truly an asset to our school! "Miss Cathy" Burg is the Teacher's Assistant for the 4's classes. Her three children attended the co-op. We are fortunate to have had her caring personality and her experience for the past 17 years! The children adore her!. "Miss Cindy" Hiaeshutter is the Teacher's Assistant for the 3's classes. She also participated at SCPI with her son, Jake. She has been with us for the past 11 years. The children love Miss Cindy as well! We feel that the combination of training, experience, and warmth of our teaching staff make SCPI the perfect place to begin your child's educational career!
Our Curriculum
Countless studies have been done on a Play Based Curriculum. These studies have shown that play helps cognitive development by developing language, memory, imagery skills, problem solving, and decision making skills. Play helps children with their social skills such as learning how to compromise, cooperate, share, making and keeping friends, and working with others. Play also develops creativity by helping children find new solutions to problems, reorganizing information in new ways, and exploring new activities. Play fosters physical development by helping to develop fine motor or manipulative skills, and body management skills. At SCPI, we feel that we have the perfect mix of "Learn Through Play" accompanied by an introduction to the "academics" that your child will be expected to master in Young 5's or Kindergarten. Your child will not only benefit from the social "structure" at preschool, but will also be introduced to colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. The 4's classes participate in a "Letter of the Week". We are also pleased to offer an introduction to "Zoo Phonics." ("Zoo Phonics" is used in Young 5's and Kindergarten, both at Sparta and Kent City Schools.)
Your Part
We are licensed by the State of Michigan and an active member of the West Michigan Council of Cooperative Preschools. As a cooperative preschool, we are a non-profit organization that is owned and operated by the parent members. Parents participate by taking turns working in the classroom, once every 5-6 weeks, attending 3-4 general meetings per year, and fulfilling the responsibility assigned to them "job" for the year. Jobs can be anything from making play dough once a month to holding a board position. The board takes on the responsibility of the business end of the school. All of the parent participation makes the preschool a close knit community and is effective at keeping costs down.
We welcome you to visit our school through the various Open Houses that are held throughout the year or by making an appointment with the school. For more reading on the benefits of early education, visit "Notes for Parents" courtesy of the West Michigan Council of Cooperative Preschools.