The Cooperative Play Preschool Program is operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) Office of Educational Services (OES) Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12 pm, during the school year.  Through the Cooperative Play program, young children, ages 18 months to 5 years old, are introduced to a structured play setting with activities that engage the whole child - mentally, socially, physically, and emotionally - in preparation for entering the formal education system.  Emphasis is placed on socialization such as learning to take turns; cognitive growth through music, painting, and cutting; and gross motor development by running and jumping. 

 

Children must be age appropriate by September 30, of the enrollment year.  For the 2008 - 2009 school year, Cooperative Play will run from September 8, 2008 - May 29, 2009.  The Cooperative Play program follows the DC Public Schools schedule for holidays and vacations.

 

All parents/guardians also serve a duty day one day per week, per child, to assist with organizing, implementing, and planning of activities. Each site will determine the parent duty days. Any parent/guardian that will be serving a duty day, must complete a DC Department of Health - Health Certificate for Staff*, and must also complete a criminal background check.

 

Learn more in the DPR Cooperative Play Preschool Program Parent and Child Manual*.

 

Registration is open throughout the year until enrollment slots are filled, and can be completed online or in-person at the Office of Educational Services.  A waiting list is available.

 

Non-refundable registration fee: $30.00.

DC Residents: $1,176.00 for the school year (made in 4 payments).

Non-Resident: $1,352.40 for the school year (made in 4 payments).

 

The following items must be completed as part of enrollment and before your child begins in the Cooperative Play program:

 

Name of Center	Address	Ages Served
Brentwood Recreation Center	2311 14th Street, NE	2½ - 5 years
Chevy Chase Community Center	5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW	2½ - 5 years
Chevy Chase Playground	41st and Livingston Streets, NW	2½ - 5 years
Friendship Recreation Center	4500 Van Ness Street, NW	2½ - 5 years
Hardy Recreation Center	4500 Q Street, NW	2½ - 5 years
Columbia Heights Community Center	1480 Girard Street, NW	18 - 23 months 24 - 30 months
Kennedy Recreation Center	1401 7th Street, NW	2½ - 5 years
Mitchell Park Recreation Center	1801 23rd Street, NW	2½ - 5 years
Palisades Community Center	5200 Sherrier Place, NW	18 - 23 months 24 - 30 months
Stoddert Recreation Center	4001 Calvert Street, NW	2½ - 5 years
Volta Park Recreation Center (formerly Georgetown Recreation Center)	1555 34th Street, NW	2½ - 5 years