Hippo School

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Vaughan Co-operative Nursery School (known affectionately as "Hippo School") was started in 1943 by Daisy Dotsch in her home. It was incorporated in 1951 as a non-profit, parent-teacher run nursery school. We are located near St. Clair and Christie in Toronto.

Vaughan Co-op Nursery School was one of the early pioneers of the pre-school co-op movement in Toronto, and much of the philosophy that evolved here is now taught in early childhood education programs in colleges and universities.

Vaughan Co-op is a licensed nursery school with a capacity of 42 children. All the teachers on staff have diplomas in Early Childhood Education.


	Summer Camp Registration 2010 Opens April 26 for the public at 9:15 a.m. first-come first serve. Please do not write your cheques until time of registration to ensure that the weeks you are requesting are available. If you would like to check what is available, there will be a log at the Hippo School foyer for you to view during the week of April 19th. . Download the information package and registration form. (PDF) If you require more information about our summer camp program, please contact Beth Kwavnick, Camp Registrar at hippocampregistrar@yahoo.ca. Registration 2010-11 Limited space available for children born from between January and August 2007. If interested, please call 416-651-6718. Registration 2011-12 If you are interested in registering your child for 2011-12, please check back mid-September 2010 as we will begin our waitlist Monday, October 4, 2010.

The Co-op Experience
The parent and guardians of the children in Vaughan Co-op Nursery School own and run the school cooperatively, in partnership with trained and certified nursery school teachers and other staff.

One parent or caregiver from each family participates in a weekly duty day at the school, assisting teachers for 2 1/2 hours one morning or afternoon per week. Families also choose a parent job that supports the operation and maintenance of the school. As well, each family provides a nutritious snack for the children about once a month.

A parent executive board, elected by the members, makes the decisions necessary to run the school: hiring staff, setting policy, budgeting, etc.

Vaughan Co-op is a member of the Toronto & District Parent Co-operative Pre-school Corporation. For more information about P.C.P.C. (or to find a co-op in your neighbourhood), please visit their website at www.pcpctoronto.org.

The Book
A few years ago, a committee of dedicated staff and parents worked on a book about the history of Vaughan Co-op. Copies of A Patchwork of Memories are available at the school so that you can read about the Co-op, its community and the history of childcare over the last 60 years. Please email or phone if you are interested in purchasing a copy.

Vaughan Co-op Nursery School
E-mail: info@hipposchool.com
Phone: 416-651-6718
729 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6C 1B2
Copyright © 2004-2010 Vaughan Co-op Nursery School, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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