Should nannies and babysitters (as opposed to just parents) be allowed to co-op in a cooperative preschool?

Question

This issue is up for debate at our preschool.

Answer 1

Our family has been part of a cooperative community that allows nannies and other family members to be in the classroom.  

We recently discussed this at a board meeting and we are thinking about altering the policy slightly so that anyone volunteering in the classroom other than the parents would need to have a background check run.  This would ease any other families anxiety about people whom they are not as familiar with.

Personally, I think it is great to allow other caregivers and family members into the child's classroom.  These people are an important part of these children's lives and they should be able to share their school experience with them.  Some of the nannies I see at school more frequently than the parents just during pick up and drop off.  These caregivers are often just as important to the child as their parents.

I also think it's a good idea because it offers families some flexibility.  Not all families in the coop have the luxury of having one stay at home parent so with 2 working parents it can be hard to full fill that classroom commitment.  We try to encourage a diverse socio-economic environment with our members.  This policy makes it that much easier for us to offer a cooperative experience to people from all different backgrounds.

Good Luck with the decision!  Hopefully your membership can come to some agreement on what works best for all.

Answer 2

Would it keep the child cared for by a nanny/babysitter from participating in the school in the first place?  Many nannies that I know of are mothers of grown children.  If a parent trusts a particular caregiver for their child, don't you think they have already done some background checks?

Before I had kids, I was a regular babysitter for 2 boys of a working single mom in this same situation, and felt very much a part of their lives.  Kids at this age don't need a teacher with a degree.  They need someone with enthusiasm for life and basic knowlege.  I enjoyed participating in their school while mom was away.  This way, they didn't feel left out when other kids had someone from their family at the school.

Answer 3

My daughter is co-president of a cooperative preschool

& they only allow mothers (or fathers) because babysitters & nannies have varying ages & experience. They decided they did not want someone too inexperienced with that age children involved. It has worked well for them.

Answer 4

I believe so if you want like second opinions in your child's education. But then it is a two way street because their opinion might come of the wrong way towards you, so to me its either or.

Answer 5

No - I believe that co-op preschool is a community of parents.  It is not fair that in building community - someone can send someone else in their place - how invested can you be as a parent communicating with someone's babysitter, not another child's parent.  

I think that If someone is not available to volunteer and be involved as much as needed - they are not the right candidates for a co-op.  By the way, I have a nanny/babysitter part time, and also manage to get to our preschool and volunteer and be involved plenty.  I see both sides, but co-op should be just that.  A cooperative effort to raise children as a community, led by involved parents, not hired help.