My family is about to finish our second year at CVPP. It is a wonderful parent cooperative preschool. Not only my son but I also have learned a lot from our amazing teacher 'Tacha and all other caring parents at CVPP. It gave me the opportunity to see my son learn and flourish in the loving school environment. You get to see how excited they get, and you get to be part of that excitement. Sharing the excitement of preschool with my son has been priceless. read more

CVPP is an absolutely amazing preschool! Im a child therapist and I send my kid here because the spirit of the school is all about fostering healthy childhood development and focusing on social-emotional skills. The community for moms is also incredible and Teacher Tacha is loved so much by all the kids! read more

One of my children is an Alumni from the school & another one of my children was first a part of the Nursery and now she is in the Preschool Class. Teacher Tacha is so patient, kind, & compassionate. She has a way about her that calms the children down, helps guide parents, & has such creative activities for the children to learn through play. She is observant & is a great leader/director! The community within the families is unlike any other. We help support each other, encourage each other in times of need, & use similar language when speaking to our kiddos. There is something special about being involved with a co-op. You are able to see what your child is learning, you get to know their friends/parents, & you develop a love for the school. It has been so sweet seeing our Nursery Babes grow and now become CVPP Students themselves. The children's friendships have grown & blossomed more like cousins than classmates. As parents co-opping, we learn child development, gain new knowledge on parenting, have the community/love for others that is like a true family. Hands down, 10 out of 10 recommend CVPP! read more

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We love CVPP! It's such a special place. Both of my kids are attending , and they love going. The teacher is patient and kind, and the community of parents is even better. If you're looking for a village, this it it ! read more

Best, most wonderful Preschool Co-Op around! Your child (and you) will learn and grow so much at CVPP. My 3 children went through CVPP and received the best early childhood education. They were ready for kindergarten and beyond. Play-based preschools help your child develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically and your children develop a very strong social/emotional foundation and strong executive functioning skills that are essential in school and in life. And as a parent, I learned about child development, brain development and became a more skilled and equipped parent! I love CVPP with all my heart and am so thankful for our experiences there!! read more

We have had the pleasure of having our little ones attend CVPP since 2021. Best decision we ever made to become part of a co-op preschool. We had the pleasure of being with the amazing teacher Dee Dee in 2021-2022 and are now so lucky to have Teacher Tacha teaching our youngest. Play is a child's work, and over the past 3 years, I've been able to witness first hand, how important a play-based preschool is, and how much it plays an integral part in helping children learn and form relationships with others in the most amazing ways. Meeting and bonding with co-op families & their children, being able to see my child play & grow first-hand when helping at the school in the classroom, and working together with other parents who are equally passionate about being a part of their children's early education is something that I will forever cherish. read more

Clayton Valley Parent Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Concord, California

I have had both of my children go through Clayton Valley Parent Preschool (CVPP). My son who is now going into 3rd grade had an amazing time there and was fully prepared to go to kindergarten when it was his time. He was emotionally and socially ready. That was my biggest concern for him but he did great! My daughter is now going to CVPP for her last year before kindergarten; this school has been her best fit. She is a sensory seeker and there is so much for her to do there to help with that. My daughter's needs are being met at CVPP. She can be free to explore and learn. The director (Teacher Natacha) is warm and inviting. She is so fun and all the children go to her for comfort. This school has been so amazing for our family! I have met some great families and other parents who are nice to chat with about our parenting struggles and triumphs! read more

5 stars to this amazing hidden gem in the heart of Concord! I always wanted to be apart of my child's early education and Clayton Valley Parent Preschool has given me the opportunity to not only be in the classroom with my child, but to also develop bonds with an amazing community of like minded parents. We couldn't be happier with our decision to join the CVPP family! Teacher Tacha' is wonderful, you can see and feel the love that she puts into the school and her students. My daughter struggled with separation anxiety and Teacher Tacha' helped her through it with such grace. I am forever grateful that my child's first ever school experience is with such a caring and understand teacher. Thank you Teacher Tacha' and thank you CVPP for making preschool fun, engaging, and giving me the opportunity to be apart of it all through my co-oping experience! read more

A fabulous place for your children to learn and play. Teacher DeeDee is amazing. I never thought my child would walk into a new school and not turn back but that's exactly what my child did which speaks volumes. He in fact was sad when it was time to go home. We've never had a babysitter but he knew it would be his happy place. He met DeeDee a week earlier and felt so safe with her. Co-opting is a wonderful experience. It's not always easy but you will become a better parent from the ways you learn to handle conflict. My child can stick up for himself after learning how to use his own voice instead of running to an adult for help. CVPP is a hidden Concord gem. I seriously cannot imagine what it would've been like had we not discovered it. read more

I knew I wanted to be a part of a play-based, cooperative preschool, so I was delighted to find out that we had one just down the street from us. CVPP has been the most magical place for my daughter. It makes me tear up when I think back on all of the heart warming, feel-good moments we've experienced because of our time at this school. This is a place of inclusion. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, lifestyles, cultures, and we all get along so well. We share a common interest in being involved in the education and everyday lives of our kids. It has been a wonderful experience for our whole family. We've met so many caring, genuine people, who I hope will be lifelong friends. I was pretty nervous in my first few weeks, but the board members went out of their way to really make me feel welcome. Returning families are also encouraged to be helpful in welcoming new families. Teacher DeeDee is the absolute heartbeat of the school. She gives each child love and attention, and the specific encouragement they need depending on their own individual development. She has taught me so much as a parent, through information I've received from general membership meetings, personal conversations, emails, and while co-oping in the classroom. DeeDee has been approachable and accommodating in every interaction I've had with her. We just love her. I would absolutely recommend this school to anyone looking for a magical, supportive, inclusive preschool experience for their kiddos. read more

I have had two children at CVPP over the past two years since we came to Concord, and it has really made a hugely positive impact on our entire family and enriched our life here in the East Bay. CVPP is a great asset to the community and teaches the whole family and not just the child. My children have grown in immeasurable ways during their time at the school, and I have learned so much from teacher DeeDee and from working with the children as a parent co-oper in a classroom setting. It has improved my own parenting and awareness of child development, as well as helped me to grow into a more responsible and aware adult and parent. It is providing both priceless early education for the children who attend while at the same time serving the community in other ways through adult education and community outreach, all while keeping costs low for the families of Concord. The facility we use is perfect for a co-op and has been carefully designed to enrich both parent and child as they attend school. CVPP makes preschool accessible for so many who might not otherwise be able to fiscally manage preschool for their children. Almost every time I tell someone from Concord that my child attends CVPP, they have a story about how great the school is or how their own children or relatives attended the school and how much it benefitted their entire family. Although I am not from here originally, it is easy for me to see the long term impact that CVPP has had. This school can be a challenging choice for parents who work, but I have seen working parents make it happen here with the appropriate support network. They see how worth it it can be for their children, and they make it happen. It is not an easy choice to co-op, but it is a really beneficial one. You have to show up to preschool as a parent co-oper expecting to work hard, learn a lot and dedicate not just your time but also yourself to leading every child in the co-op, not just your own. The requirements for preschool are laid out clearly in the months before preschool begins, and current members of the school are always open to helping out newer folks. If you feel left out, lost or alone as a new parent(as we all can feel when we're the 'new kid') just remember that we have all been there and are happy to try to help you feel less overwhelmed or work to make sure you feel like an important part of the school, because you ARE the school. Respect and trust go a long way. I always say I love attending events at CVPP because all of the parents know one another's kids and can tend to the needs of all the children as if they were their own. We trust one another with our children, and while we may not all be best friends we all certainly have lots of love for all our kids and massive respect for each other as we work together to help all of our kids grow into really awesome bigger people. This school does so much more than just provide childcare-it teaches the whole family how to be better communicators and listeners as well as giving them the tools and confidence to be more active in their future schools and community going forward. I am so glad we found CVPP. read more

My older child attended CVPP for three years and now my youngest is starting this year and we couldn't be happier with Clayton Valley Parent Preschool. While a co-op style school is a BIG commitment, it truly has improved my parenting skills and I have loved being able to observe my kids in the classroom. We briefly switched to a traditional preschool for about 6 months and while the experience was not negative, I definitely did not like how I wasn't really sure what exactly was going on in the classroom on a daily basis. And while a co-op is overwhelming at first, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and willing to address any questions or concerns I've had over the years. Teacher DeeDee is an amazing educator and really knows her stuff! We love this school! read more

The short story: Clayton Valley Parent Preschool/Teacher Dee Dee are simply amazing! The long story: My eldest son had turned two and a half and we knew we should be looking at preschools, however, we were worried that the cost of any preschool would make paying our bills extremely difficult. We were in a situation where we weren't quite sure what to do. My son's godmother had been a Cooperative Preschool teacher for a number of years and it was she who suggested Clayton Valley Parent preschool. Not only did she think the preschool was one of the best, she also held Teacher Dee Dee in the highest regard. Being that I had just had my second son, the deal was made even better by them offering an on-site Nursery. I quickly called the school and got the second to last position for the following year. I was excited but extremely nervous about working directly with other parents. I myself am awkward at best, at worst, I completely stand out and don't know what to do with myself most of the time. I was worried that my inability to connect in a group of people would harm my son's education in this setting, I knew Cooperative Preschool requires parents to work very closely with one another. My son, thankfully, took to preschool like a fish to water, he didn't even worry about us leaving the first day. My first Coop shift I was a nervous wreck. I had read through all the material several times, I had gone over the duty list and I knew theoretically what to do, but knowing myself, I could guarantee that I would be lost once there. What I found when I did my first Co-op shift, was a group of parents just trying to make the most of their day. Just like me. The care, the understanding, the assistance, the friendliness I experienced will stay with me for the rest of my life. All the parents strive to be a support for one another. At Clayton Valley Parent preschool, all the children know all the parents, and all the parents know all the children. My son feels just as comfortable going to another parent as he does going to me with anything. I know my son is cared for, watched after, and taught in the best environment available, and leading the charge is teacher Dee Dee. Teacher Dee Dee understands all of these kids. She gets to know the personalities through the year and can help each and every one of them grow beyond what social and Educational Tools they had when they first walk through the classroom door. Classes are run on a playbase curriculum to explore all the avenues on which children learn. Also, she strives to teach the parents how children this age think, reason, react and learn. So yes, my first motivation was the affordability of a Cooperative Preschool. What I ended up gaining through my experience of our first year, however, is priceless. My son has grown in confidence, grown socially and academically. My youngest has gotten introduced to the classroom environment just by being a part of. I, myself, know with absolute certainty that I am a better parent having been in this environment, and having been given the tools of understanding by teacher Dee Dee. read more

This school has been simply amazing for my son. He is thriving and enjoying everything about school. Teacher Dee Dee is the most passionate teacher I've ever met. She genuinely loves her job and I feel very lucky to learn from her and have her as a resource. The three indoor rooms are very well thought out and FUN. The outdoor space is wonderful too with trikes, sand box, boat, gas station, tree swings, play structure, airplane and more. If you're looking for a co op preschool look no further. You can call the school and set up a tour or come to the open house in early Feb. read more

I am dumb founded at the nerve of some people. Today a parent whose been apart of the CVPP community for 5 years private messaged me questioning my review. Because she couldn't believe it with how positive her experience has been. She asked me to change my review then tried to intimidate me by saying she screen shorted our convo and sent it to yelp and the CVPP board. Cool beans lady. You should have never messaged me at all. I've been meaning to write this post for quite some time. We were so excited to be apart of this pre-school co op. We went to orientation , filled out all paper work and as I went to hand in said paper work I walked in on a few catty parents talking negatively about my family. You see, my partner and I aren't married. They were making fun of that and didn't think I knew of their cattiness. We decided that pre-school was not for our child. As a co op the same parents who took time to make fun of my family and how we're not married... I didn't see any logical reason to leave my child with these a-holes. Luckily we found a non bias school for our daughter! These people should be ashamed in themselves! read more

CVPP has always held a special spot in my heart. I attended that school 30 something years ago, along with my two older brothers. I knew when I had my own children, I wanted them to attend CVPP as well. My oldest just turned four and started there almost 2 years ago. As a co-op parent, full-time nurse, CVPP welcomed us like family. Having my second son in the nursery next-door, took a lot of stress off me. Last year at the beginning of Covid , I decided to pull him....Because of my nursing duties in the hospital. Not once did I ever question the safety protocols Teacher Dee Dee worked so hard to learn/prepare. She has been committed to the safety of our children the whole time! We recently re-joined CVPP, and I couldn't be more pleased and thrilled for my child. Play-based preschool in early education is imperative. She has gone above and beyond, all of the board has done an exceptional job. I'm so thankful for CVPP and all it's done for my son, and family. Looking forward to the years to come with my second child. Highly recommend this fantastic Preschool! read more

Co-op preschools are unique and not very common. We got lucky finding CVPP after a quick Google search one day when we moved to Concord in 2012. 2 kids, 6 years, 5 classes, and 3 years on the Executive Board later I'm sad to say that chapter in my family's life is over. The friendships my family and I have made with those once strangers came when we least expected it and are now like family and our emergency contacts for the kids. Unlike regular drop-off schools you have to interact with other parents on a regular basis when you volunteer in the classroom, attend monthly parent workshops, fundraisers, work parties, and field trips. You will definitely get what you put in and I'm sad to see how some parents got the wrong idea of the school dynamic, how much work the Board does behind the scenes, and other parents simply because they either did the bare minimum to meet the requirements that are mentioned during classroom tours and paperwork that every family reads and acknowledges when they sign their children up or had the expectation that other parents will automatically be their best pal off the get-go. The majority of the families that are apart of the school take tremendous pride in doing everything they can to help the school succeed year after year. If the school doesn't succeed and do well then it not only affects the family dynamics but it also affects the kids. Teacher DeeDee has not only been a mentor to me the last 6 years but she's also become a good friend. I know that I can always count on her to reassure me that my kids aren't the only ones going through whatever phases they're going through but also that I'm doing a great job as a parent. I will forever be grateful for her guidance and all of the parenting and life advice and lessons I've received from her and the other families that we've been lucky to get to know during our time there. read more

Both my children attended CVPP and we have been in this amazing school for 3 awesome years. Like what the other reviewers had mentioned, it has an amazing community spirit.. like a village. Teacher Dee Dee is one of a kind amazing, not just towards the children, but also the parents. What I found most fulfilling throughout my experience in this school, is the once-a-month parents' education/meeting. I had learnt so much, from Teacher Dee Dee herself, as well as fellow parents. AMAZING school! read more

We recently finished our first school year at CVPP, and are thrilled with the experience! My daughter was in the 3's class, and is enrolled for Pre-K next year. Teacher Dee Dee is an experienced, dedicated, passionate, fun teacher! My daughter adores her. The co-op experience was exactly what my family was looking for. It is affordable, play based, and supportive. I love helping at the school and seeing my daughter learn, play, and socialize. The sense of community and support I receive from her teacher and the other parents is priceless. I have learned so much about gentle disciple, child development, and other parenting strategies that help me understand my children at home and at the school. One of the things that sets CVPP apart from other co-op preschools in the area, is its parent run nursery for younger siblings. It's adorable, right next to the school, and an amazing place for babies and toddlers who are too young for preschool. This is a wonderful school and we are so grateful to be part of the CVPP family. read more

I've spent a year at Clayton Valley Parent Preschool. It is not for a working parent, or one that is busy with multiple children at different schools. The amount of fundraising, meetings, emails and ridiculous fee's has left me feeling ill towards their pretentious board and question what they are all about. Lots of drama with the board and very rigid with parents and attitudes all the wayFor me, I was miserable, never made connections and thought they were too uptight for a play based, family run school. With that said, my child liked playing there and the play ground and manipulatives are great. There are a lot of hidden fees and expectations I was not aware of going into it and barely finished the year. Also, if you feel your child needs a bit more routine structure, this might not be for them. Very laid back teaching and parenting techniques which I wanted a bit more structure to be prepared for kindergarten. . read more

I cannot begin count all the ways CVPP has made me and my husband better parents. It's given us the gift of time and presence at school with our children. We have been given parenting and educational tools that have helped us with all three of our kids at every stage, both in their education, and in strengthening our relationships. I have been given a community that has supported me and my family and that's grown into amazing, lasting friendships. Deedee is a gem, and a true authority in her field. The parent education provided at our monthly meetings has been priceless, and the nursery and childcare have made it possible to juggle siblings while fulfilling school responsibilities. Coop-ing isn't for everyone. You have to be able available to work in the classroom, clean, organize, fundraise and you have to be open to new people and experiences. All expectations are explained up front and in writing. There are no surprises- but it is a lot. You get what you give. And for us, it's been so worth it. I'm going on year 4, and still love our little school! read more

We're starting our 4th year at CVPP and have loved every minute of it! My children have been beyond blessed to have this as their first school experience. Plenty of opportunities to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively- all through play!!! They have so much fun here & I have fun working in the classroom right alongside them. I've learned so much from our fabulous teacher/director and through the sharing of ideas amongst parents. We've found the school to be totally warm & welcoming for all kids & families who join the school community. When I was researching preschools, I was looking for more than a preschool, I needed a "village". I certainly found that at CVPP & am so thankful we are a part of the CVPP family! read more