Every time I walk into CCC I am struck by what an amazing place it is. The carefully crafted, HUGE outdoor areas, the range of sensory/craft activities laid out each day, the abundance of activating pretend toys and environments inside. Just that alone would be enough. But then you have teachers who have been there for decades. You have the sense of community that arises from every parent pitching in to make this place special. You have my kid getting to build real, trusted relationships with 25 other sets of parents... We feel very lucky to have our 3.5 year old in the front yard this year. A co-op preschool (I am learning), is a unique thing. It's not hands-off. It's a commitment. But so far, that commitment is really paying off for us. read more

CCC is the most joyous place I have ever seen. You walk in and see children frolicking through the gardens in complex pretend games, collaborating intently on building villages and rivers on the hillside with the water pump, snuggling and chatting with the many grownups who know and love them there. It is not infrequent that I get misty-eyed on just a normal pickup day, wishing that more of our world was this optimized for children's curiosity, exploration, and interdependence. Our child has grown by leaps and bounds in his three months here, becoming more empathic, more able to focus, physically stronger, more self-confident. He went from a kid who fought school every single morning to a kid who eagerly anticipates Mondays over the weekend. We were a little worried that he would get lost in the shuffle, with 25 kids to a class and rotating grown-ups on their participation days, but we have been struck by how deeply each of the teachers and other caregivers know him and are able to support him. The community as a whole is extremely welcoming and loving, and every time I go for my participation day I learn something that makes me a better parent (and by extension, a better person). So grateful to be a part of this school and can't wait to send our younger one when the time comes. read more

When I toured CCC I had tears in my eyes, it was what I had always dreamed of for a preschool for my child. Let me set the scene: kids enjoying snack in the "garden café" and grazing on fennel, mint leaves, and cherry tomatoes fresh off the vine alongside the served snack; rotating games and projects that change every week and keep the kids constantly engaged, guest teachers coming in to teach dance or discuss native plants and make seed balls, parents sharing their family traditions at circle time and then baking mooncakes or challah bread with the kids, mindful conflict resolution happening all the time where the kids ask for a "check-in" (something we now do at home on a daily basis); kids building canal systems in the sandbox from the rainwater basin; and passionate teachers telling imaginative stories while the children eat lunch. These are just a few of the things that make CCC magical. One of the ways I've grown the most as a parent is the workshops that help parents navigate hard topics like how to talk about race with your children. CCC is the oldest co-op preschool in the country and was founded nearly 100 years ago, some of the teachers have been there for over 16 years, that alone speaks volumes! I can't recommend this school enough for anyone who wants to raise their kids in a loving and intentional community. read more

CCC is a truly magical place for children and families, and we feel so lucky to be part of this beautiful community. The teachers are true masters of child development and treat each child like their own. I am constantly in awe of how the teachers are able to find and bring out the good in each and every child and make them all feel special, valued, and cared for. One of the best parts of being a CCC parent is the opportunity to be directly involved with your child's education and getting to learn alongside the staff about how to be a stronger parent and community member. Although we have only been at the school for a couple months, I have already grown so much as a parent, and my daughter is thriving as well. read more

I am updating my review, but still 5 stars. My little one has been at CCC for two years, and my older son graduated in 2014. I have never experienced a learning community so rich, so nurturing, so real, or so joyful. Since it's been in existence for something like 90 years, CCC has honed its childcare philosophy and its routine to work like a well-oiled machine. Their Covid response has been AMAZING, and they are running, and actively enrolling, for Fall 2021! This is the best place for kids to be kids (totally play-based), while also learning essential tools for cooperation, empathy, and kindness. The teachers are phenomenal, most of them having been there for upwards of a decade. If you're up for a co-op preschool (you will have to be there weekly, with frequent meetings and other commitments, too), you should check it out. read more

We felt so lucky to find this amazing school and supportive community. I was skeptical about the co-op model, but participation wasn't not only fun but a great learning experience that I'm still drawing from in my parenting. I loved that we got to process what happened with parents and teachers during the kiddos lunch so we could grow ourselves as well. In terms of supporting the children, my daughter was able to really do a deep dive with her passion for dress up and just was able to be 100% herself. The morning and afternoon teachers are fantastic and creative. I wish we'd found CCC sooner and had been able to send my older daughter there. read more

CCC is an amazing preschool. If you're looking for a co-op preschool, look no further. The kids are treated with respect. They are allowed to explore and chose the activities that they want to do. I love that they let the kids play in the mud and get dirty. There are amazing art activities such as sewing, drawing, painting, print making, etc. They offer blocks, dress up materials, sensory bins, doll houses, trikes, sand toys, swings, and so much more. The teachers are the best and have been there for many years and low turnover is a sign of high quality child care. Since the parents work together, you really develop a community. The parents know all the kids and the kids know the parents. You have to be willing to put in some work but it's worth it! read more

We absolutely love CCC. We have been at this school for 3 years. First my daughter went through the Front Yard ( 3-4 yo) and into the Back Yard (4-5yo) and then my son. He is now in the Back Yard and we are already sad we don't have another year to continue. I feel like no school ever again will be as amazing for my kids as CCC is. The teachers are amazing. The grounds are beautiful and fun. The learning is all play based. The community is strong. We love the co-op model so much. I can highly recommend this place read more

This is the most amazing place for our daughter! The teachers are so experienced and kind and the grounds are gorgeous and magical. It has a view of the Bay and gardens all over. The indoor/outdoor flow of both "yards" (the Front Yard is for ~3-4 yr olds and Back Yard is for ~4-5 yr olds) makes it so that during Covid even the indoor spaces have a lot of air circulation. Everything is intentional with collaboration, development, exploration and kindness in mind. The coop structure has given my child so many trusted adults to build relationships with and I have loved getting to know the other parents and kids. And they offer summer session! What's not to love?! read more

We had a heartbreaking experience here. I never imagined I would be lied to by people I respected so much and worked so closely with. We really experienced the shortcomings of the co-op model, where inexperienced board members were in charge of some pretty serious stuff and there was no administration to hold teachers accountable. We left when the teachers insisted lying to us was necessary "to protect" our child. I have since learned that we are not the only family to have our hearts broken at this school. It is wonderful for the privileged ones who make it through- the rest of us are still in therapy trying to recover from the shame, disappointment and isolation of being suddenly excommunicated from a really tight and awesome community. read more

My child has learned so much about how to explore his own interests at the same time as learning how to part of a group. The teachers are so good at setting caring boundaries and learning how to support each student. Also, as a co-op, CCC does an excellent job of running itself with a high level of continuity in administration, while simultaneously building community among the families as well as students read more

My youngest daughter attended CCC as a three- and four-year-old​. She is now in middle school and we still feel lucky that she was able to set her foundational understanding of herself in relation to peers and non-family adults at this school. In addition to getting children ready for Kindergarten and loving learning, this school teaches children how to: stay in touch with who they are; be compassionate with others; be confident;​ use one's imagination; and ​develop critical thinking skills. This is taught through free play, storytelling, community, the high adult child ratio (which allows for one-on-one conversations at poignant moments) and its incredibly talented and dedicated teachers (many have been there for over 15 years). In addition to setting these foundational elements,​ my husband and I became part of a wonderful community. We developed friendships with teachers and other parents that we still have. We raised our daughter as we wanted but had support from this community when we needed it. We were taught about the developmental needs of this age group through meetings and working with the teachers. Our daughter, who is close friends with many of her preschool friends, is confident, excels in school academics, is social and community-oriented. Since graduating at CCC she has been fortunate to attend summer camps with teachers and parents from this school and continue growing with this community. CCC is a gift that keeps on giving. It requires work as a co-op but that investment has paid for itself tenfold in so many ways. read more

CCC is truly paradise for preschoolers - a place they can play: get dirty, explore nature, have incredible long-time teachers guide so many art, gardening, building, cooking, music and other projects, build friendships and social-emotional skills, all within a strong community committed to diversity and inclusion. We've sent both of our kids to CCC and can't imagine their or our lives without it. As parents we have learned so much about how to support 3-5 year olds, both our kids and others, and build our own friendships and bonds. There is simply nothing like CCC! read more

Our 3yr old loves coming to CCC. The grounds are beautiful, plenty of opportunity for outdoor play, climbing trees etc. What we love the most about CCC is how the entire curriculum is play based, respectful and inclusive. The main focus is on emotional and social development. I especially love how the teachers work hard to ensure that from an early age kids are gently taught to be inclusive no matter what the gender or race or economic background along with laying the foundation for social responsibility. As a co-op model the parents and teachers work together on making all this happen. We are loving our time at CCC and cannot recommend it enough. read more

We just started kid #2 at CCC and it as every bit as good as I remember it was with our first (who is now in kindergarten). There's a lot that makes CCC a fantastic preschool, but ultimately it's communicated in the name: CCC is truly a community. The parents, teachers, and alumni are all committed to the school and that commitment really shows in the campus and the way the classes come together. Every year some of the parents (and teachers!) went to CCC themselves, so there is truly a sense of history and love for the place. The cooperative structure allows parents to get to know all of the kids, teachers, and other parents in really deep and meaningful ways (yes, it is "Berkeley and hippy" in that sense -- people care about each other and want to know and help each other. Revolutionary). My son is still great friends with kids he met in his first year. My husband and I are both still great friends with parents who we met in his first year and honestly I think many of the parents I've met will be lifelong friends of mine. The coop structure can be a challenge for working parents. Each family has an administrative job (e.g. serving on the board as secretary or membership director, doing the school laundry, working on one of the committees for fundraising or buildings & grounds, etc.). There is a lot of flexibility in terms of the amount of time and rigidity of schedule for those jobs. Most families also participate once a week from 8:45am to 12:45pm and there are monthly meetings to discuss childhood development/enrichment as well as school issues. There are options to do half participation or no participation, but those options mean missing out on some of the key features of the school (including the relatively affordable cost). That said, the school does sincerely try to work with people's schedules -- there are subs available if you need to miss a day and people switch participation if needed to make things work -- but some flexibility from the participating parent(s)'s workplace(s) is definitely necessary if you want to get the full experience. The teachers are all exemplary professionals and have been with CCC for years and years. Their dedication to the school and the kids really shows. Our son really had a hard time with the transition -- when he started he was basically an only child. He had never been in daycare or even really left alone with non-family for any significant length of time. The teachers were so loving and so nurturing, they really made it feel ok for me to leave a teary, clinging three year old every morning. Although there is a sort of core sense of Berkeley hippy-ness, there is ample room for differences and the teachers give people, adults and kids alike, the tools to disagree while being respectful and finding common ground. It is a relatively large community, with capacity for 26 kids in each yard or 52 kids total at the school. For that reason, most people do not "fit in" with every single person at school -- it would be weird if they did. However, because it is such a large community, it's easy to make natural connections with multiple families while spending less time with those with whom you might not "click" as well. The hippy philosophy also allows the kids to explore the environment and push their boundaries a little. At CCC the kids can be naked in their underwear basically all day, weather permitting. They can climb the trees, paint their bellies, make a giant mud pit, or basically do whatever they want as long as they're keeping themselves and those around them safe. The teachers do an awesome job of cultivating an open and creative environment with plenty of rotating activities -- rice, flax, flour, or any number of things on the sensory table; bead-stringing, beanbag making, spring painting, and tons of other arts and crafts projects; play dough, ooblek, water tables, and other "making" and mixing sort of projects -- as well as core constants like baby dolls, climbing structures, costumes, the sand box, etc. The resources available really reflect the school's long history and committed group of families and alumni. read more

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CCC is a wonderful place for children to grow and thrive. The cooperative model requires a larger parental commitment than other school models, but then again, that commitment translates to a deeper relationship with your own child, the other children there, the teachers and the other parents. It is indeed a community-focused, play based environment where child development is paramount. We have three children, each of whom have had a different pre-school experience. I fervently wish that we had found CCC for our middle child, as the love, care and attention here at this school would have greatly helped his social development. As mentioned in another review, diversity is a core value, and in this environment, diversity is reflected in many ways. For the children, it means there is a wide variety of other kids from different cultures, different family structures and different personalities. The children also experience different adult voices, both from the teachers and the five or six participating parents each day. The daily schedule balances a modicum of structure with the feeling of total free play. There are planned activities available, but there are enough adults and areas where each kid can direct their own day. Watching the kids navigate the social-emotional waters each day is one of the highlights of my participation at the school, as each child develops more confidence and voice throughout the year. The teachers are experienced, loving, thoughtful and above all, patient. They truly love their job, and the feeling is mutual, as the kids and parents love the teachers. The after-school staff are also dynamic, fun, caring, and dedicated, as most of the schools' staff have been there for many years. My daughter has this to say about CCC: "It's the best and I want to be there for ever and ever." read more

This school has been a wonderful place for us to send our daughter and to participate in the community over the last two years. The teachers are caring and experienced professionals that give each child the personal attention they need. The curriculum there has made obvious improvements in my child's social skills, educational development and ability to handle adversity. The cooperative model does require a significant effort from the parents. You have one participation day a week as well as an outside job and occasional weekend events and work parties. However, I found that it was well worth the effort for several reasons. First, the time spent helps to build a community of parents and families that can all help and support each other. Secondly, working at the school as well as the trainings provided helped me learn to be a better parent and gave me a tool kit of approaches to dealing with common problems. Thirdly, tuition is significantly cheaper than other options in the area. So, if you are lucky enough to have a flexible schedule, or a helpful family member who can participate for you, you should definitely come over to CCC for a tour to learn more. read more

CCC is beyond amazing! From the incredible staff to the amazing community of families, we truly feel that we got so incredibly lucky to find this setting for our child! it is so inspiring the way in which children that are so diverse in all respects all thrive in this environment. There is nothing but respect for each child's individuality and development. This was our family's first experience in a co-op and we are finding it both enriching and educational. It is hard to gush enough about CCC because it really is so fantastic! read more

I feel grateful to CCC every single morning when I drop my kid off at preschool there. Her teachers have been teaching 2- to 4-year-olds at CCC for 21 and 31 years now, respectively (!!!) and I'd be hard pressed to believe you could find more consistently empathetic, playful, energetic teachers who show up with their whole hearts every. single. day., including on days when wildfire/poor air quality/pandemic make an in-person preschool program seem nearly impossible to sustain. I've always been a big fan of the cooperative model, and as a parent-teacher co-op, CCC (which is one of the longest-running cooperative preschools in the country!) has particular strength in community participation. The co-op model is not for everyone- it does involve a LOT of work and time. There are requirements around regular parent participation in the classroom, monthly school meetings, fundraising, grounds upkeep, and more, and these commitments probably won't work for families who don't have some daytime work flexibility and/or who are looking for more of a drop-off childcare model. What my family gets out of belonging to a co-op preschool is a true sense of community, and of getting out of it what we put in. We really know our kid's teachers. We know the other parents and have worked with them in many different capacities. We're involved in many aspects of school maintenance and decision-making. We feel a healthy responsibility to do our part to make the school a beautiful and sustainable place/community. Our whole experience at CCC has been wonderful. read more

This is the end of our first month at CCC but we already love it! The space is amazing- it feels like a magical wonderland built for preschoolers, full of pathways for kids to explore, dry river beds and natural objects for kids to build with and move around. There is also two patio spaces that teachers stock with art, pretend play and building supplies, trading things out and adding new elements to further kids learning and exploration. Teachers at CCC have proven true masters, striking the amazing balance of guiding and adding to students discovery of the world through play and standing back to let students gain independence. Our son is a little shy at first and had a hard time with drop off but both teachers were incredibly warm and encouraging to both us and him, and now he is doing really well. Thank you CCC! read more

CCC is a special, beautiful place where kids are seen for who they are and encouraged to explore the world around them. I'm a parent of two kids -- one who was a student at CCC in 2003 (!) and another who is a current student -- and CCC has been instrumental in my own development as a parent and member of the kind of community in which we all want to live. The teachers bring their whole selves to the school, modeling for the kids what it means to be a friend, a helper and an essential part of a community. We love CCC! read more

We absolutely love CCC. Our kids are thriving -- they're physically challenged and entertained, and also emotionally supported and nurtured. CCC has a non-bias curriculum and they practice what they preach. Every activity and circle-time and meeting are intentional, and they advance and vary throughout the school year as the kids learn new skills and develop their physical abilities/compassion/sharing/understanding of bigger themes. I could go on and on and on about the teachers. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE!!!! It is also pretty unique and special to be able to spend one morning a week in the classroom with the kids and see how your own kids interact and what they're learning and what their days are like. I feel super lucky to have two kids at CCC and honestly wish that kindergarden and beyond could be as special as this is. Thank you to teachers and staff and families for making CCC as wonderful and fun and interesting and thoughtful as it is!! read more

We have been very happy at CCC. I disagree strongly with the previous review - well, it is pretty 'Berkeley and hippy', if by that you mean a community of parents and staff who are committed to teaching and demonstrating things like peaceful resolution of conflicts, diversity in all its forms, and exploration, imagination, and creativity. CCC is a parent-teacher co-operative, which means parents work alongside professional teachers in the classroom one morning a week. That does require commitment - both of your time, and to a 'co-operative' model. If you are looking for a 'drop and go' kind of pre-school experience where you don't get to know the other teachers and parents on a personal level then it is true that this might not be the right fit for you. It's an actual community, and a diverse one, with all of the benefits and challenges inherent in that. We are full time working parents, but are fortunate enough to have schedules which are flexible enough that between the two of us, someone can get there each week for our participation day (or we find a substitute, which is easy to do). There is before and after care such that you can have 8 am - 5:30 pm coverage. My 'stay day' as my daughter calls it is one of the highlights of my week. My daughter is shy and reserved, and we weren't sure how she would do in this setting, but it's been great for her and us. This is the kind of school where kids dig in the dirt, play in the rain, and if a kid decides that they want to paint their arms instead of their paper, they can. read more

Very Berkeley, very hippy and culturally exclusive. You either fit in or you dont. To much drama for our family.

This preschool has provided an essential foundation for my two kids as well as for our us as parents. Being a co-op, there is a time commitment of 1 morning/week, as well as other duties, which have allowed me to not only see my own kids engage and interact, but to learn from other kids, parents and, most of all, the excellent teachers. The school is play-based, which should not be mistaken for "just having fun and not learning." The social skills my kids (and I) have learned through their interactions during play and with the guidance of the teachers have helped all of us well beyond the preschool years: how to be a friend, how to stand up for yourself, how to communicate, and so much more. I also recommend visiting just to see the grounds (feels like a secret garden). read more

CCC is the most amazing preschool. Our 9 year old went there and now our 3 year old just started. The teachers are masters of social emotional development and conflict resolution. Kids are encourage to follow their hearts in a free play setting but also given tools to collaborate and negotiate with other children. The parent community is wonderful. Our lives are forever better because of CCC! read more

We considered, visited and evaluated several preschools across Berkeley/Oakland. We decided to go with CCC and couldn't be happier. Our whole family is involved on our daughter education, the cooperative model demands time, energy and commitment to make it work. We wanted to be as involved as possible on these years and have no regrets. The community is also amazing! We don't have family in the area and have been grateful to get to know like-minded families and become part of their community. read more

Our 4 year old son just started at CCC and we couldn't be happier. This is his first year away from home and we were nervous that there would be a lot of tears and hard goodbyes but his transition has been as smooth as we could ever hope for. The teachers are so in tune with how to speak with preschool aged children that my son feels listened to, liked, welcomed and safe. They are genuinely excited to see each and every kid walk through the door in the morning. And the way they encourage the children to speak to each other and "check-in" when situations need more care (feelings hurt, owies, etc) is how we should all learn to speak to each other, even as adults. I am so grateful to watch my son learn and grow in this safe, creative, FUN and playful atmosphere! read more