Who We Are

The first co-op preschool in Santa Cruz County

Soquel Parent Education Nursery School is a non-profit co-operative preschool — one of three PENS (Parent Education Nursery Schools) serving Santa Cruz County. Established in 1949 by a like-minded group of parents, we have been a cornerstone of this community ever since.

Parent participation, alongside our skilled teachers, is the foundation of our unique program. Parents are involved in all aspects of running our school — from maintenance and clean-up to administration, fundraising, curriculum, and community building.

This participation results in lower tuition rates and a higher adult-to-child ratio than found in typical preschool settings. We believe the most important part of the parent education program is simply: the parent's participation.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Every dollar goes directly to our children, families, and school community. Parents serve on our Board of Directors and take on support jobs — making every family a genuine stakeholder in the school. We are affiliated with Watsonville-Aptos-Santa Cruz Adult Education, ensuring professional standards and ongoing teacher development.
To nurture and support the whole family through our unique parent education program. Together we create a meaningful community where children and parents learn side by side.
Soquel PENS Mission Statement
The Co-op Model

What is a cooperative preschool?

A parent cooperative preschool is a preschool managed and run by parent members alongside the teachers. Co-op preschools are usually administered and maintained by parents on a non-profit basis.

Parents assist the professional teachers in the classroom on a rotating basis and participate in the educational program of all the children. Each family shares in the business operation of the school — making it truly a cooperative venture.

Parents, preschool children, and their teachers all go to school together — and learn together.

Parents gain insight into child behavior by observing other children and how other parents and teachers handle various situations. Parents gain greater understanding and enjoyment of their own children through active participation in their education. Families have the opportunity to share experiences and expertise with others while working together in a cooperative setting. Parent participation results in lower tuition rates and a higher adult-to-child ratio than found in typical preschool settings.
Our Curriculum

A developmentally appropriate program

Preschoolers and their parents participate in a rich curriculum that emphasizes every dimension of a child's growth — and their parents' understanding of it.

Children's expression, ideas, and creativity are at the center of our curriculum. Art, music, and imaginative play are daily constants. Outdoor time, sensory play, and discovery activities build motor skills while nurturing a lifelong love of the natural world. Stories, songs, rich conversation, and vocabulary experiences build the language foundation children need for school and life. Positive guidance and problem-solving strategies are emphasized. Children learn cooperation alongside peers in a safe environment. Teachers provide training in supportive parenting techniques via weekly seminars, observation, and discussion after every class. Families share responsibilities — classroom days, fundraising, snack prep, support jobs — forging bonds that last well beyond preschool.
Parent Involvement

What parents actually do at Soquel PENS

Parent involvement is one of the most amazing aspects of our preschool. Parents actively work in the classroom, getting to know each child and every family. Friendships are developed, knowledge is shared, and children feel safe in a beautifully supervised environment.

Admissions Policy

Open to all families

At Soquel PENS we provide a wonderful, supportive, and stimulating learning environment for children and parents. We welcome every family.

Soquel PENS admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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