Since 1947

About Kirkland Co-op Preschool
Kirkland Co-op Preschool is located in Lake Washington United Methodist Church. KCP is not a church-sponsored program, nor do we have any religious affiliation. Our program was started in 1947 by a group of moms interested in a cooperative program for their children. We opened our doors in a converted chicken coop on Finn Hill. We have come a long way to our present location in the church, where we have been since the 1960s.
Kirkland Co-op Preschool is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

"KCP gives families the wonderful opportunity to be involved in their children's first school and to be surrounded by a caring community of teachers and other parents. As a former kindergarten teacher, I am confident that KCP's developmentally appropriate and play-based program prepares children well for kindergarten."
-Teacher Amy

Educational Philosophy

Kirkland Cooperative Preschool operates on the premise that a child's parents are his or her first and best teachers. KCP works to promote parents as teachers through education, discussion and guidance. By bringing children and parents together to have fun and learn in a nurturing environment, we build stronger educational partnerships for our families.

Educational Content
The focus at KCP is on the social aspect of our children's growth, not the academic. We believe that our children are children and will have ample opportunity to learn their ABC’s and 123’s once they enter elementary school. KCP believes in the value of play, and follows the current research, which shows that children learn best through the art of play. While we do sing the alphabet song, discuss shape and color, or practice writing our names, academic play is secondary to imaginative and explorative play at KCP.

Toys & Experiences
KCP prides itself on being a school with no computers and no battery-operated toys. Our toys are playdough, dirt, rocks, paint, blocks, trucks, Legos, books, dolls, dishes, dress-up clothes, and many other imaginative and sensory toys. These toys and the many other activities children experience at KCP provide self-driven imaginative play opportunities for them to promote cognitive, social/emotional, and motor development.

Kindergarten Preparation
Preparation for Kindergarten and beyond is another place where KCP excels. Children leave the program with a clear understanding of what is expected of them in the classroom. KCP graduates have experience with washing their hands, taking turns, standing and walking in a line, going on a field trip, listening in a group, and solving their own problems. The social and practical skills our students learn will serve them well in elementary school.