​The Eastside Cooperative Preschool
Tuition Model
​Choosing cooperative preschool means your family is involved in running our school and available to participate regularly in the classroom. The benefits of involvement are many, but we know there is also a cost to having someone available during the day. We are a registered non-profit and value transparency with all our operational costs. We also want our preschool to be accessible to any family who wants to become a member. For these reasons, we have created a tiered pricing model that reflects our true costs and offers options more reflective of our families' varying budgets.
We hope that this tuition model:
-Increases accessibility
-Increases transparency
-Increases community
How does it work?
During the registration window, families indicate which tuition level they would like to commit to, (with the understanding that things change throughout the year and that they can move up or down as needed). They pay their $100 Registration Fee to secure their spot. This fee is non-refundable. After spring enrollment is completed, and before the October All Member Meeting, the Board calculates the anticipated “fundraising goal” needed to cover the Supported/Access tiers. Since family needs change from year to year, this “fundraising goal” will also change. The money raised each year will allow us to continue to offer affordable tuition to the families that come after us.
To cover any tuition support, our school uses previous years’ fundraising to fully fund the program for the current school year. After spring enrollment, our board determines our fundraising goal for the new school year, so that we can continue to offer affordable tuition to the families that come after us. Together, we will create an amazing experience for all the families with preschool-aged children who want to be a part of our community.
Timeline for families:
At Registration $100 Registration Fee Due
By August 1 $100 Activity Fee + September Tuition (a half month)
Due October 1 - May 1 Monthly Tuition Due
Generosity Rate 125% of the full cost of the program
Red class:$240/month Yellow/Blue classes: $325/month
By choosing this rate, you are giving ECP additional funds to pay for unexpected costs. Your generosity also enables others with less means to take part, including through scholarships.
This rate may be for you if…
…the Supporting rate would be applicable to your personal circumstances, but you’d like to give more
…you are committed to making our school more accessible to others.
Supporting rate 100% of the full cost of the program
Red class:$190/month Yellow/Blue classes: $260/month
By choosing this rate, you directly support ECP to cover basic costs
This rate may be for you if you…
…have the capacity to meet your basic financial needs
…can pay your rent or mortgage and other monthly payments
…are generally able to purchase new items and experiences for yourself
Supported rate 75% of the full cost of the program
Red class:$145/month Yellow/Blue classes: $195/month
If you have limited financial capacity, you may wish to choose this rate. The contributions ECP receives at this level are supported by fundraising and the Generosity Rate.
This rate may be for you if you…
…stress about meeting your basic needs, but still regularly achieve them.
…may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs.
…may have access to some financial savings and/or some expendable income.
access rate 50% of the full cost of the program
Red class:$95/month Yellow/Blue classes: $130/month
If you have extremely limited financial capacity and paying for preschool would be a significant hardship, you may wish to choose this rate. The contributions ECP receives at this level are supported by fundraising and the Generosity Rate.
This rate may be for you if you…
…are experiencing housing, employment, or income instability
…live paycheck-to-paycheck and lack money in times of need
…would otherwise be unable to attend the school due to the cost.