Brooklyn has been an amazing place for our whole family to learn and grow! Our daughter loves going to school and adores teacher Nicole and teacher Merry. Having the opportunity to be in the classroom with our child has been so enriching and educational for my husband and I. But the best part? The community. We have made so many friends and connections here and it is so incredible to see how families at Brooklyn care for one another. read more

Brooklyn has been everything we hoped for in a preschool. The exceptional teachers, the thoughtful play-based curriculum, and the warm community have become an invaluable part of our family's life. read more

I'm so grateful to have found Brooklyn Preschool. My daughter is nervous around other kids, and the preschool transition was very challenging for her. Teacher Nicole went above and beyond to problem-solve with me and find ways to help her become comfortable in the new environment. Brooklyn has small classes for 2s (8 kids), and we've found it to be a perfect opportunity to practice social skills in a small, supportive community. read more

We loved our Brooklyn preschool community. Everything was wonderful there. We highly recommend it and can think of so many great memories and friends for life! Go and get a tour and see for yoursel, the sweetest place to go to Preschool in SE Portland. read more

Entering our 5th year at this wonderful preschool! The teachers are magic, and the program will help you be a better parent. Supportive, caring, empathetic, and fun community. read more

Two of my daughters have gone to Brooklyn, one of whom started going in the first year of the program for 2-year olds, and so she is able to spend three years at the preschool. It's been great for both of them! Friendships are made, kids grow alongside one another, and parents work together, both inside and outside of the classroom, to help the school run on a day-to-day basis. The teachers are both amazing and the preschool facilities are clean, large (with a large fenced outdoor play area) and always full of interesting and fun things to do and learn about. read more

Brooklyn Co-Op Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My daughter is in the Lions class (3-4s) which meets twice a week. Most days, she wakes up and says " Is today a preschool day?!" and is very disappointed when it's not. She has recently been asking me , " Mommy, can I go to preschool more days when I turn 4? I really hope so." Needless to say, we love Brooklyn. Both Teacher Merry and Teacher Nicole are kind, curious, and patient with the children and have a true passion for early childhood development. And, despite a trying year due to COVID, our community has pulled together in recognition of our common goal of pouring into our children love, kindness, and lessons in productive/respectful problem solving. Being a part of a cooperative is truly rewarding! read more

Brooklyn is a super sweet, play-based preschool. We visited a number of different preschools and finally chose Brooklyn because of Teacher Merry. Teacher Merry is a wonderfully positive, patient, and caring person. I admire her cooperative spirit and the values that she models for the children on a daily basis. In a co-op preschool, every family has a responsibility to parent-teach in their child's class and to hold a family job. We have found that this is a fairly big time commitment, however through this, we have also become part of a close-knit community of wonderful families. My daughter is in her second year at Brooklyn and she loves to go to school every day. I highly recommend Brooklyn to anyone looking to be involved with a play-based, cooperative preschool experience for their child. read more

My daughter spent two great years at Brooklyn, and we all loved being a part of this special community. Not a place to go if you're just wanting less expensive child care. Brooklyn Co-Op is a thoughtful program that requires engagement from all parties - that's what makes it work. Parents are trained from the start, and attend workshops throughout the year to get a foundation in the child-centered philosophy of the co-op. While parents brought different comfort levels and skill sets, all had something to offer and the mix made it interesting. The space is very thoughtfully designed so that children have multiple areas to independently engage in. No need for a big room with teachers constantly watching every kid. The teacher sets the tone and the engaged parents support that, assigned to different areas or floating in between so kids are never in unsafe situations. The rooms get dramatically re-organized throughout the year for deep enrichment. This is a truly child-centered, developmentally appropriate program for young children that I would recommend without reservation if you're looking for a co-op. read more

My kids have attended four different co-op preschools in the PCPO network, and Brooklyn is definitely the best one we've found. Teacher Merry is amazing, and we've made good friends with other families there. The physical space is comfortable and supplied with everything a preschooler could want-- indoor "treehouse", art room, sensory table, woodworking bench, books, puppets, blocks, educational toys & games, and much more. The playground is also very well-equipped. We like the healthy snacks that are included in the cost of tuition. We also enjoy the field trips and community events that happen throughout the year. My son adores Brooklyn! read more

Writing is not my strong suit, so please bear with me. We are current members of Brooklyn and I wanted to address a few inconsistencies in our less then favorable reviews. Some of the info is untrue, " kids see a sea of revolving faces. Every time they walk in the door, it's a different set of parents running the day." Um no, it is the same small group of parents who the kids get to know and love. That is what I love about a co op and our co op in particular. It is a small group of parents, not a "sea of revolving faces". This is our second year and I really know and adore those kids, and they all know me. "The downside, the indoor space is 3 closed off rooms which does not allow the teacher to see what's going on in the individual spaces. It's one teacher for 15 kids- parents fill in the other gaps. " I feel the 3 rooms are awesome and give the kids a bit of space to get away and feel a tiny bit of independence as they make their own choice about which room to be in. They are good sized rooms and to me it was a bonus when I saw it, I liked it better then the one room preschools. There are group projects they are all expected to join in but they also get to make their own choices about what to create/ play with during the day. And there is a parent in each room, the reviews make it sound as if the kids are running around the other rooms unsupervised. We are trained parent teachers and we each supervise a room, where we help with projects and activities that the children choose to do. Not only is this our 2nd year here, but our full class came back for a second year, we did not lose one single family. Obviously we are doing something right. Brooklyn is a warm welcoming atmosphere, where my child and I have made some really good friends. My son has really blossomed and grown through out the last year. Teacher Merry is a wonderful and patient teacher. We are very happy here. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about this preschool and community. We are in our second year here and continue to be impressed both by the teachers as well as the amazing amount of good things which come from a community working together. Our son has loved it here from the moment he visited, and he continues to wish every day is a school day. This is in large part due to his fantastic and caring teacher Merry. She brings such thoughtfulness and expertise into the classroom. The children all really love her. I have also definitely learned a great deal from her which has greatly influenced our parenting practices and language at home. There is no doubt that a co-op preschool requires quite a bit more work from the parents end, but it pays off in multiple ways, most importantly to me the ability to be part of my child's early education. I feel involved and am aware of daily goings on. We have relationships with many of the families that we value. And we do save quite a bit of preschool tuition. I could write many more words of praise, but in short, we couldn't be happier with our choice. read more

My son attended Brooklyn Cooperative Preschool in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Before that my family had never been part of a co-op, I had no experience with working with children (save my own) and it was our very first experience at a preschool. Neither my husband or I had even attended preschool as children. From our first day there until our last we learned so much, we got to be creative and play and we had so much fun! It has now been nearly a year since my son graduated from preschool. My son, Jack, was more than prepared for kindergarten and despite my struggle with leaving preschool, I was prepared as well! At Brooklyn preschool I was a parent teacher regularly and I found that I absolutely loved working with children. When we were getting near the end of our time at Brooklyn I spoke with teacher Merry about how much I was going to miss being in the classroom and being a part of the everyday life of school. She advised me to communicate to my son's teacher early on that I had classroom experience and my desire to continue that in kindergarten. She told me that most kindergarten classes do not allow for parent volunteers for the first two months in order to acclimate students to the routine of school. The reason for this, she explained, was that if a parent volunteers in the classroom before it is running smoothly, they may serve as more of a distraction. So, I took Merry's advice and communicated to my son's kindergarten teacher my desire to help and that I had classroom experience with my son and he would not be distracted by my presents. As a result, I began volunteering a few weeks into kindergarten and have volunteered in the classroom/lunch/recess once a week all year, as well as chaperoning field trips and helping with other activities. Though I am with him at school for relatively less time, I still get to hear all about his day after I pick him up (a rarity for kindergarteners). Also, I frequently get a treat of hearing all about whatever he is learning that week, in great depth, right before bed. In preschool my son learned how to make friends, he learned how to share, how to be kind and compassionate. He learned how to solve problems and he learned that his voice mattered. He learned that his school life was not apart from his family life and that school is part of our community. Today, my son still loves school and his teacher adores him and describes him as a model student. I thank teacher Merry for teaching us and helping us learn from each other. I thank her for helping us be creative problem solvers. And I thank her so much for all the fun we had in preschool! We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude and we often discuss the positive impact she had on our family, our child, and our overall level of preparation. Nearly a year later she is still on our minds. I hope teacher Merry continues to teach and inspire for many years to come, she truly does have a gift. read more

This school is so wonderful! Being involved with a co-op school is amazing because you get so much out of it! I've gained great relationships and friendships with the other parents. I also love how connected I feel to the school, parents, the wonderful teacher (Teacher Merry) and the program itself. It's a clean safe place where my son has really blossomed and developed in mind blowing ways! All the kids are being lead with love each day. Couldn't be more happy with Brooklyn, and I'm very glad we have one more year after this one before he's off to Kindergarten! read more

I don't even know how to put into words what a wonderful experience it has been for my son, and our family. But I'm going to try, to spread the word about this amazing school! 1) Merry! I have never met such an engaged, nurturing, fun spirited preschool teacher as this gal. As a parent teacher in the classroom, I've witnessed her countless times gently coming alongside students to help them express themselves, or problem solve together. She is so in tune with each child, and though there is a steady, predictable routine to each day, she is a master of improvising and flexibility. And all the fun songs she knows! And all the great cooking and art projects! She's not afraid of messes, or messy emotions, and stays laser focused on helping the students learn to be in tune with their own feelings and how to express themselves. I have never seen Merry slow down for a minute; her passion for her students and her job is obvious in the incredible energy and excitement she brings each day. My son has gained so many social/emotional skills in his time here, and I have gained so many tools for how to be a more creative and patient parent. 2) The facility! The classrooms are warm and inviting, with activities rotating frequently. The playground is INCREDIBLE, big climbing structure, pavement and bikes, garden and picnic tables. And fenced! After having attended a preschool where the students had to cross a busy street to an unfenced, public park, this gives me so much peace of mind! My son loves playing there, and on nice days, we often stay and picnic with other families after school. 3) The community of families! It has been so fun to really get to know the kids (and their parents!) through working in the classroom, and activities outside. The last preschool my son attended was a drop off one, and I hated how disconnected I felt from what he was experiencing. It is such a gift to get this time to spend with him, and work with the Brooklyn Coop community to build a place where all our kiddos can be nurtured and grow! read more

For the past nine years, I have watched my four nieces/nephews and own son and daughter learn and grow through play at Brooklyn Preschool. Brooklyn's two teachers are former Brooklyn parents themselves and their combined years of experience are a major asset to the community. They have such a genuine desire to provide the best experience for kids and families and their commitment has been above-and-beyond. This was particularly evident in 2020 as they found creative ways to stay connected with families and provide learning and play opportunities during the height of the pandemic (individual masked and distanced backyard visits!). Being a part of a cooperative community has given me the opportunity to get to know other kids and families and also access so many parent education resources. And, I'm grateful for the extra time I get to spend with my toddler before she starts full-time school! read more

This is my fourth year here at Brooklyn, as my older daughter went through for two years, and my youngest is now on her last year here at the school. I find it curious that a review would criticize the space as I found it the biggest draw to the school as a new parent - huge outdoor dedicated space with bikes, tire swing, real playground equipment and huge sandbox. The indoor space is sunny with decent size rooms, each room has its own "feel" - kids who prefer a quieter surroundings can easily find it. My oldest was at a school with one big room her very first year as a young 2/3 year old and I hated it - the rowdy kids dominated the space. The giant loft in the middle of the big room and the woodworking table (yes WITH REAL SAWS.....my husband broke out in a cold sweat upon first seeing those, but the kids always did great understanding the rules and using things correctly) are noteworthy features. The curriculum is kid centered and developmentally appropriate, and Teacher Merry is pretty much the "kid whisperer" as far as I'm concerned. The co op is very organized, has great trainings and education nights, and it really is a great little community. Of course every year has its own feel with the group of kids and parents, but I've been happy every year we were there and have made some really long lasting friendships (not just my kids, but me!). read more

We moved here a year ago and found Brooklyn on Yelp. Joining the co-op preschool has been one of my best parenting decisions! Being part of a co-op has helped create such a strong community for me as a parent and my children. We have made life-long friends!! Teacher Merry has been with Brooklyn for 10 years and she has taught me so much as both a parent teacher and a parent. She is so patient, kind and excited by the children. And the feeling is mutual! The parent obligations are more than a drop-off preschool but not too much to be unmanageable. The jobs also help to create community (my job was to plan social events outside of school. It was awesome!) Additionally, the tuition discount compared to traditional preschools was huge (about 50% less). We truly are so happy to have found Brooklyn and cannot recommend it enough!! read more

Brooklyn cooperative preschool has been a wonderful community to be part of. This is the first co-op our family has joined and unlike a "typical" preschool there is an obligation you will have and that is what makes a cooperative preschool so much more. With that being said, the more you put in, the more reward you will get. Simple. As for teacher Merry, I cannot say enough great things about her and the impact she has had on our sons life. If we were to have many more children we would not hesitate to join Brooklyn Coop again and again and again. read more

Brooklyn Co-Op Preschool - Just doing some batik at school. - Preschools Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We've had two kids go through Brooklyn. Things seemed to go downhill in the last few years. More parents were into the money-saving aspects of the co-op instead of the community aspects, and you could tell by the way they just went through the motions, doing the minimum required and caring little about any kid except their own. Of course there were some wonderful parents there too, but your experience will largely depend on the mix you get. The teachers were good (not great) and seemed overwhelmed, especially on days with less engaged parent-teachers. read more

I cannot say enough good things about this school. Our family is in our third consecutive year here and will be coming back for another two! Teacher Merry is among the most dedicated teachers I have met. Her passion and talent for early childhood education is unparalleled. The students adore her and I have seen so many grow and shine under her wings. The school space is much larger than the other preschools we toured, and the outside space is also exceptional with it's play structures, stump-rimmed sand pit, and garden. The indoor space is generous and changes year to year. This year there is the Great Room that is currently used for circle time and dramatic play, the Tinker Lab which hosts a woodworking table with actual tools, a sensory table, and craft supplies. The Wonder Space holds our painting easels, a quiet area, books, and literacy table. Teacher Merry is very conscious of the space she creates every year -- nothing is static. Things shift and change through out the year keeping everything fresh and exciting for the kids. While it's true that the teacher cannot see all things at all times, there is always a Parent Teacher in each room, which allows the teacher to float thru the school and be present with the kids on their own levels and needs. The parent teachers go through training on not only the nuts and bolts of participating in a co-operative school, we receive ongoing training and education in conflict resolution as well. My children never felt as though they were swimming in a "sea of faces", rather they had a unique opportunity to really get to know and spend time with the parents of their peers -- something that is amazing not only for the kids, it can be a treasured time for the parents as well. It isn't one teacher for 18 children, it is one teacher supported by 3-4 loving and capable parents who are there for the express purpose of making each day more amazing than the last. We also have a dedicated nursery space where parents can opt to pay for their younger (non-school age) children to be while parent teaching. This is a fabulous perk our family has benefitted from. Our current nursery provider is amazing and the tiny ones have the opportunity to "go to school' and they really develop a sense of ownership and place in the community. Being a play-based school, the kids have the space, time, and opportunity to choose what they want to do for much of the day. We know kids learn by play and every corner of the school is filled with inspiration for them. There is significant outdoor play time everyday, except in the most extreme weather conditions (when this happens there is a large alternative playspace in the basement). It is very true that the families can make or break the co-operative experience. All families are expected to work and participate so our school can function. I have found strength in the community -- from meal-wheels when families have welcomed a new baby or had surgery, to helping with childcare, passing on toys and clothing, having playdates on non-school days, even my garden is full of plants passed on from Brooklyn families. And sometimes its just in the form of a giant hug when you need it most. I whole-hearted recommend Brooklyn, it's really changed our lives for the better. read more

You know what's great about this co-op? Everything. Let me start with Teacher Merry. Her passion, kindness, ability to teach while nurturing, redirect without shaming, and reach in to shine the light in the childrens' eyes and heart are only the tip of the iceburg. And shine they do; the woman knows what she's doing. Everything she does in the classroom relates directly to the development and abilities of children. These skills will shape how they will construe the environment they are in now, and every year after they leave the co-op. Children recognize authenticity when they see it, there is no need to look further if you are looking for a teacher for your small people. This is where I'll throw in she was educator of the year in 2013 for PCPO organizations - but you'll never hear that from her. Next, I'll tell you about the space. Holy guacamole. It's clean, it's organized, it's well thought out and continually changing to accommodate the growth and development of the kids. There are three rooms with very specific purposes. One room has an array of weekly and sometimes daily activities that Teacher Merry carefully plans out and shares their developmental purpose. In the other two rooms exist plenty of hands on sensory experiences and art making opportunities. You want some glue, little one? Go at it. You need some paint? Go get it. A woodworking table? Heck yes. Under the watchful eyes of parent teachers and Teacher Merry, have at it. It made me nervous to see hammers and saws and nails (oh my!) just sitting out willy-nilly,(it's not really willy-nilly, there are very specific boundaries for the woodworking table, to the untrained eye, however...) but it turns out children are receptive and willing to try out new things while being safe if just given the chance. Eye protection check! ear protection -check! here's how you hold the saw, ready .... and....go! The community is a community. There are ebbs and flows to every community. You get out of it whatever you put in. If you have the time and desire to be a part of the co-op, buy in wholeheartedly. It is work. I question the review commenting on the "sea of revolving faces". Fine. There are different parents teaching every day, but that doesn't mean the kids don't see the same faces they see every school day at pick up or least once a week as a parent teacher. Maybe even at their friends' houses at playdates. It's a village. Sure, that sounds cliché, but also brilliant for the sort of community the co-op fosters. It's for real. If the idea of your child making his or her own decisions is scary, if having an award winning teacher running the show doesn't sound great, if being a part of a community with backbone seems like too much work, if being a part of your kid's everyday life and earliest education experience just isn't your thing - then look elsewhere. If these things sound good to you, check out Brooklyn Co-op. When my daughter comes home at the end of the day, she is happy and so am I. There is no amount of money, no amount of naysayers, no way anyone could convince me that a happy 4 year old is anything less than perfect - glue smeared, paint covered, loved and smarter for it. Me and my girl. Making friends at the co-op - you're invited too! read more

Our son is currently enrolled at Brooklyn and we all absolutely love it! We really enjoy being involved in the school and are enjoying it WAY more than we did at Childswork with our other son. Teacher Merry is awesome! read more

Good school if you have time to commit to jobs, duties, and community. Teacher isn't very open to new ideas as "this has worked for the last 10 years". My child has grown so much and I am thankful for that! read more

Brooklyn Cooperative Preschool is amazing! Before my son entered this preschool, my husband and I were a little apprehensive and weren't sure if he was ready, both socially and with the separation from me. We shared our concerns with Teacher Merry and she was able to give us some reassurance. The events before school started allowed all of us to get to form relationships with the members in the Brooklyn community, which made it a much smoother transition! My son is now more confident, plays with his peers and loves going to school! We are so happy to be apart of the Brooklyn community! read more

My life has changed so much for the better since my child began attending Brooklyn Co-Op Preschool. The community of parents, teachers, and children are extraordinary. I love everything about this school and plan to be involved for many years to come as both my children learn and grow through this nurturing, creative, and stimulating program. If you are looking for a preschool with exceptional teaching, outstanding facilities and resources, and opportunities to learn and grow alongside your children you could not find a better school than Brooklyn. read more

My daughter goes to the Brooklyn Co-op and it's her first year. She loves it!! I can't say enough about Teacher Merry and all of the families that make up this awesome community of kids, teachers, and parents. I'm so glad that I am a part of her first school experience. The facilities are great, and Teacher Merry always has something special going on in the classroom. I also really love the outdoor facility. There is a garden, and sandbox, huge playground. Much bigger that other preschools that I toured. And the kids are always getting outside. We love it at Brooklyn, and can't wait to do it a second year! read more

This is our families first time going to school and our first year at Brooklyn. Brooklyn has been a very welcoming community on the whole and the teachers are above and beyond what I would have imagined. Teacher Merry actually came to our house to meet our son before school started. Having made that connection really made him feel comfortable starting school. Overall Brooklyn is a great place to have your first school experience. Highly recommend. read more

Both of our children attended Brooklyn Cooperative Preschool. After 4 years of my involvement with the school, I can honestly say that the place and the people are a rare treasure. The school atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, and the teachers are genuinely warm and caring with each and every child. Our kids got many hours of enjoyment attending Brooklyn Co-op, and still talk excitedly about their time there (they are now in K and 2nd grade). As for me, I miss the preschool years immensely and would not give up my experiences with my kids in a co-op school for anything! read more

To start, there are some really nice things about this school. The outdoor space is wonderful, lots of places for the kids to explore . Over the summer, there is an organized play date in the park which helps new kids meet their classmates and Teacher Merry comes and meets each child at home before the school year starts. The downside, the indoor space is 3 closed off rooms which does not allow the teacher to see what's going on in the individual spaces. It's one teacher for 15 kids- parents fill in the other gaps. Though the parents are nice well meaning people, they're parents, not teachers. The teacher is managing all the kids and all of the parent questions/ needs throughout the school day, making the classroom feel very chaotic. In addition, kids see a sea of revolving faces. Everytime they walk in the door, it's a different set of parents running the day. After a couple of years at this school, even though we were heavily involved, we never really felt a strong sense of community. read more