The Children’s Cooperative Playschool was founded in 1972, and ran as a parent Co-op without hired Teachers for about ten years. Parents would take turns watching other parent’s children. Everybody took a turn staying at the school to be with the kids. In the early 1980s the school hired its first paid Teacher. The school was in a house on Bypass Lane in Chapel Hill, where they stayed for another ten years or so. The school was very dedicated to welcoming and including international families. During this time, there were several families from a variety of countries around the world with a few children just learning English.

In the mid-1990s, the landlords decided to double the rent at the end of the lease! The Playschool had less than a week to either pay double rent or find a new space. As luck would have it, the school stumbled upon the Sunday school space at the Ephesus Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. The school remained in this building for ten years. During this time the school grew and changed, and gained great momentum in the community. The original two classes, Sunbeams (twos) and Rainbows (threes-fives), were joined in 2004 by a third class, the Wildflowers (4-5s), while the Rainbows remained three year olds. In 2005, the school added one more class, the Dragonflies (3 and 4 year olds). In 2006, when the Co-op moved into a new space at the old parsonage of the church, the Dewdrop class was added for one year olds. In 2008, the Ladybug class was added to fill a growing need for space for two-year-olds. The Ladybug class alternates days with the Dewdrop class in the classroom at the end of the hall.

In 2001, the school hired its first Teacher Director. This person upheld all their teaching duties in addition to working with the Parent Director to run the school. In 2007, a Director was hired to lead the school, one who would not also have the responsibilities of running a classroom. The structure of the board has changed as well. The Board serves the function of a School Board, while the Director maintains the operation of the school, and the Head Teacher heads up the teachers and curriculum. Board members include Board Chair (the former Parent Director), Secretary, Treasurer, Member at Large and Fundraising Chair. Family jobs have undergone numerous changes through the years, always bending and flexing to meet the needs of the current membership.

Over the years, the Children’s Co-operative Playschool has changed and adapted in many ways! The school is stronger and more stable than ever while staying true to its purpose and mission.