FROM PLAY SCHOOL TO MONTESSORI CO-OP
Ashland Community Preschool started in the early 1970’s as a playgroup where families took turns watching the children, much like a “Mom’s Day Out” program. Over time, the “Community Play School” grew into an official community preschool. Today we are an organized Montessori-based cooperative preschool licensed with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Families come to Ashland Community Preschool because of an intense desire to enrich the lives of their children. Preschool is a unique time of discovery in a child’s life, as they begin to explore the world around them, make friends, and step into an exciting new chapter of learning. As parents, it is our joy and our privilege to work together with our children to make preschool a wondrous and fulfilling experience.
We are not affiliated with any religion, and we welcome children of any race, religion, nationality and ethnic origin.
EDUCATIONAL GOALS
- Self-directed learning through hands-on manipulation of practical life, sensory, math, language, science, and art.
- Free play to help children learn group play, sharing, and turn taking.
- Cooperation and task completion by learning to follow directions, respect, focus, to abide by rules and accept discipline, responsibility through self help and environmental care, and grace and courtesy.
- Participation in life enrichment experiences through field trips, guest speakers, and similar activities.
FOOD ALLERGY POLICY
Ashland Community Preschool is committed to making our classroom as safe as possible for all students. Our school allergen policy is one of the ways we honor that commitment. If we have students with nut allergies, we will adhere to a strict peanut and tree nut free plan: no foods containing nuts of any kind will be allowed at school, either as a snack or packed in lunches (adults and kids). Other foods may be restricted in the classroom as needed.
Licensing and the directress work directly with families to develop individualized allergy plans, and the directress will set the school policy at the start of the school year. All families are expected to the adhere to the school allergen policy provided at orientation.
Additionally, the directress and substitute teachers are trained in emergency medication administration. Working parents are usually trained on anaphylaxis and EpiPen procedures at one of the required training sessions during the school year.
NONPROFIT & LICENSE STATUS
Community Play School, Inc. d/b/a Ashland Community Preschool is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cooperative preschool. Our tax ID is 54-1205418. We are licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Social Services and Department of Health as an approved childcare provider for preschool-age children.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Ashland Community Preschool admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, in the administration of the educational policies, admissions, or other school administered programs.