About us
Why a cooperative?
Here are our favorite things about this preschool model.
Helping in
the Classroom
Parental participation in the classroom is the cornerstone of our school. Parents do not replace professional, certified teachers—rather, they serve as teacher assistants in their children’s classes on a rotating basis. Your shifts in the classroom—roughly twice per month—give you the opportunity to observe teachers and lessons firsthand, see how your child is progressing, and get to know his or her friends.
Learn more about co-oping.
Running the School
Dulin Preschool families oversee all school operations, from hiring to budgeting to maintenance to admissions. We attract talented participants who are happy to share their particular skills — or open to learning new ones. Your role at Dulin may be as straightforward as monthly classroom cleanings or as unique as giving tours. If you have questions or concerns about the preschool’s operations, you have the power to initiate change. Because we are all parents, we view school issues through the eyes of parents, not just as administrators.
High-quality
Preschool Experience
Our play-based curriculum is carefully designed by our teachers and teacher-director—educational experts who recognize the value of play and respect each child’s individual learning style and development. Children are allowed time and space to explore their world, discover new skills, and learn how to function as a group and on a schedule. Academics emerge organically through experiential play, crafts, music, and story time. Religious instruction is not included in the curriculum, but grace is said prior to snack time.
Facilities
We boast three large, above-ground, sunny classrooms. With our larger-than-average classrooms and small-by-design class sizes, our classrooms are inviting and welcoming to children who may not be used to larger groups.
Unmatched Affordability
Our cooperative model keeps our operating costs low. Since parents donate their time helping in the classroom and running the school, we’re able to provide an excellent teaching staff and terrific facilities while keeping our tuition remarkably affordable. Extra time investment is the trade-off for our low tuition rates.
Welcoming Community
At Dulin Preschool, you very quickly become part of a strong, supportive community. Committee or board work, classroom shifts, and drop-off/pick-up times are opportunities to meet your child’s teachers, friends, and their families. Strong friendships often grow from Dulin Preschool ties, and many of our parents return as teachers and substitutes in later years. Social events such as the annual fundraising auction provide parents with some adult-socialization times too!
Support us!
Each year, we strive to raise a minimum of 9% of the school operating budget through fundraising. In addition, we fund the Polly Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund in order to support up to 80% of tuition for three students. This scholarship can be used by prospective families in need or current Dulin families experiencing unexpected hardship.
For over 50 years, our beloved preschool has depended upon the generosity of families and businesses like you. Our school is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization—all gifts are tax-deductible. Ready to help us raise money?
Annual auction
Each spring Dulin families, extended families, and local businesses donate goods or services to our auction. If you’d like to become an auction sponsor, please contact us at fundraising@dulinpreschool.org. Thank you to our current sponsors:
Dulin dines out
Throughout the year, local restaurants partner with us to host a dine-out night. You get to gather with your Dulin Preschool friends and enjoy a fantastic meal; we get a portion of the proceeds! Check our social media pages for current events.
The school is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all gifts are tax-deductible.
History
Dulin United Methodist Cooperative Preschool was founded in 1967 through the combined efforts of area parents and members of Dulin United Methodist Church. These committed individuals believed strongly in the cooperative model and laid the groundwork for a preschool that would provide the benefits of parental involvement along with professional teaching.
While Dulin Cooperative Preschool is chartered by Dulin United Methodist Church, and the Dulin president works closely with church leadership, religious instruction is not included in the curriculum. A simple grace is said prior to snack time. Classes may explore holiday traditions of any faith through the experiences of our diverse student body.
Dulin Preschool fully meets the criteria of National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation (the criteria is almost identical to Virginia state licensing, and we undergo unannounced licensing checks throughout the school year). However, the actual NAEYC accreditation process is very expensive and time-consuming. As a non-profit preschool with low tuition—and a volunteer board of directors with limited time—we prefer to put our money into school operations instead of a professional designation. We will gladly address specific points of NAEYC standards (available on the NAEYC website) and how Dulin Preschool meets or exceeds them.