3-5s Class
Children have a natural ability to learn and grow through play. As they explore the world around them through their play, they begin to find their place in it. Our 3-5s Class encourages a child’s natural curiosity through its play-based curriculum, sunlit classroom setting, and spacious outdoor play areas.
Our 3-5s Class is for children who will be between 3 and 5 years old by August 31st. The class is taught by Teacher Apurva and meets three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
Our 3-5s Class also has an additional Pre-K Class extended day program for children who will be 4 years old by August 31st. Our Pre-K students stay in class for an extra hour and fifteen minutes, getting individualized lessons tailored to their abilities and practicing their kindergarten-readiness skills.
Class Schedule
The class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All students attend from 9:00 am to 11:45 am. The Pre-K students stay for an extra hour and fifteen minutes, ending at 1:00 pm.
The schedule is…
- Welcome circle time featuring student-led activities, songs, movement, and an overview of the activities that will be available during free play;
- Free play at the various centers in the classroom – including art, sensory, dramatic play, block, fine motor manipulative, library, and more;
- Small group and snack time;
- Large motor play in the outdoor play areas;
- Closing circle time featuring songs, stories, and more student-led activities to say goodbye.
Classrooms
Teachers
Teacher Apurva
Apurva Bahukhandi has a PhD in Social Work, with experience working with children in educational and therapy environments. She has been active in the North Seattle College cooperative preschool system since 2012, first as a parent and now as a teacher. She strives to provide a class environment that is consistently secure and inclusive.
Teacher Lea – Parent Educator
Lea Evans (she/her/hers) has been on the Parent Education faculty at North Seattle College since 2018 and has taught and advised adult students in various subjects, states, and countries since 2001. Since her child was born in 2013, she has focused much more on supporting families and is a Positive Discipline certified parent educator.
What to expect
Cooperative preschool is about involvement. Children attend class three times a week – twice on their own and once with their parent, grandparent, or other caregiver – to engage in a fun, learning experience.
As the caregiver in class, you get the unique opportunity to play an integral role in your child’s first educational experience. You can expect to work together with other caregivers and the teachers to create a safe, dynamic environment for the children to explore. Basic co-op duties include periodically providing snack for the class, helping with classroom cleanup, participating in school events, and holding a Board, committee, or class position for the year.
As the caregiver in class, you can expect to…
- Learn more about child development;
- Explore your own goals for your family;
- Deepen your bond with your child;
- Strengthen your communication and parenting skills.
Parent Education
NorthLeaf is part of the North Seattle College Cooperative Preschool Program. Their mission is to provide high-quality, affordable preschool education for children and education and support for parents. All of our classes have a dedicated Parent Educator who works with the class every week. The Parent Educator incorporates current research with the personal concerns and diverse experiences of our community in her lessons and discussions. Over the course of the school year, you can expect topics such as Early Child Development, Nutrition, Sleep Challenges, Temperament, Guidance, Adjusting to Parenthood, and more.
Parent education in our 3-5s Class takes place at two different times. The first is through in-class interactions with the Parent Educator. You can expect to see your Parent Educator roughly once a month in class on your working day.
The second is through a required monthly evening parent meeting. At these meetings you can expect to dive even deeper into parenting and child development issues, as well as cover business items related to the co-op. These meetings provide an opportunity to ask questions and discuss a variety of topics relevant to the class and your child’s development.
Co-op Community
You can also expect to meet other families with children going through similar milestones, joys, and challenges as yours. One of the many benefits families experience while participating in our co-op is long-term family friendships. It’s true when they say it takes a village, and a village is just what our preschool provides.
Tuition, FEES, and Fundraising
You are expected to pay monthly tuition to the preschool for your child, as well as quarterly tuition (three times per year) to North Seattle College for your parent education portion of the class. If you choose to park a vehicle on campus, there is a quarterly (three times per year) parking permit fee. There is also a non-refundable registration fee. Finally, every family has a goal of raising at least one month’s tuition through fundraising over the course of the school year. See our Admissions page for specific tuition and fee amounts.
If costs are prohibitive for your family, you can apply for a scholarship through our Parent Advisory Committee. See Scholarship Information.
Interested in joining our Class?
Come in for a Tour
An in-person tour during class hours provides an opportunity for you to meet our teachers, see our classroom, and watch us in action. The tour will help you determine if our preschool will be a good fit for your child. We love our school, and we want you to know that you will, too.
We are located on the North Seattle College campus in the Instruction Building, rooms 1304 (find us on Google maps). The street address is 9600 College Way N. Parking on campus is by paid permit, but we have free load zone spaces for drop off, pick up, and tours. Street parking is also available just off campus. The North Seattle College website has a clickable map of the campus, an outline of transportation options, and the most up to date permit prices.
submit an application
After touring our preschool and confirming it’s a good fit, we encourage you to apply online. Applications will be processed according to the schedule set by the North Seattle College Cooperative Preschool Program. See our Admissions page for specific dates.
Your non-refundable registration fee is due within 48 hours of admission notification to accept a spot in our class.