Enrollment

Classes & Tuition

We offer two class programs running September through June. Both programs include weekly parent education seminars after class.

Program Times Ages
MWF · Three-Day
Mon · Wed · Fri
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Workday* 8:45 AM – 1:30 PM
3 years, 9 months to 5 years
TTH · Two-Day
Tue · Thu
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Workday* 8:45 AM – 12:30 PM
2 years, 6 months to 3 years, 9 months**

* Parents work one day per week in the classroom. On workdays, parents arrive 15 minutes early to set up. After class: 30 minutes for clean-up, then 30 minutes for parent education seminar.

** Children must be 2½ years old by September 1st, or 3 years old by the date of enrollment if enrolling later. Age requirements can be flexible upon teacher approval.

Payments

Tuition & Fees

Monthly Tuition

All tuition must be received by Soquel PENS on the 1st of every month, no later than the 5th. Pay via PayPal, or place cash or a check made out to Soquel PENS in the black box — with month, child's name, and class in the memo line (e.g. January Tuition, Jane Jones, MWF).

Even if your payment is postmarked by the 5th but arrives after the 5th, it will be deemed late and you will be charged a late fee of $25. One late-fee leniency may be granted provided the Treasurer is made aware before the due date.

Children enrolled in a second class will receive a 10% discount on the lower tuition fee.

$100
Non-Refundable
Enrollment Deposit
$50
Refundable
Attendance Deposit
$100
Annual Materials Fee
per family, per year
✓ 10% sibling discount on the lower tuition when a second child enrolls

Additional Fees

  • Fall Registration — $50: Attach cash or check payable to WASCAE (memo: "Fall REG Fee / Soquel PENS") to your Registration Packet. Drop off at WASCAE, 319 La Fonda Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062.
  • Spring Registration — $50: Same process as Fall. Attach check payable to WASCAE to your Spring Registration Packet.
  • Materials Fee — $100/family/year: Due at your convenience during the first semester. A $25 late fee applies if paid after first semester ends. Mid-year joiners: due April 30th.

Class Size

Classes are limited to 14–16 children + 4 siblings on Tue/Thu and 15–16 children + 6 siblings on Mon/Wed/Fri.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to families who need assistance with tuition. Please talk to the Membership Coordinator or your teacher if you're interested.

Learn About Scholarships
"I wish more families knew that Soquel PENS was such a fabulous place for both preschoolers and parents to learn and grow into incredible members of the community." — Mary H., Soquel PENS alumna parent
Daily Schedule

A Typical Day

Every day at Soquel PENS is filled with purposeful play, creativity, and community — just structured enough to give children security while leaving room for discovery.

Morning · Setup

Free Choice Activities

We start each day setting up the classroom with age-appropriate activities for children to explore freely — indoors and out.

Open Play

Outdoor Activities

Children choose inside or outside: climbing, painting, water play, imaginary play, building with blocks, exploring the garden, and much more.

Group Time

Circle Time

Children gather for a structured circle led by our teachers — featuring music, song, dance, storytelling, books, and creative activities inspired by parents and teachers.

Together

Snack Time

One family provides a healthy snack to share. Children sit together at tables and practice the social skills of dining as a community.

Closing

Goodbye Circle

The teacher gathers children and parents for a goodbye circle — providing closure to the day and a moment of shared connection before heading home.

Throughout the Year

Field Trips

We visit farms, pumpkin patches, the monarch butterflies, and many more local adventures — expanding the classroom into the wider world.

Parent Involvement

Parent's Role

Parent involvement is one of the most amazing aspects of our preschool. Parents actively work in the classroom, getting to know each child and the other families. Friendships are developed, knowledge is shared, and children feel safe and free in such a well-supervised environment.

  • Work in your child's class one day each week, arriving early to assist with classroom setup and staying after to clean up and attend the weekly parent education seminar.
  • Fun, Inspirational Education (FIE) Nights are included with your tuition — attend as many as you like with your partner or adult caregivers.
  • Attend small group Class Meetings two times a year.
  • Provide a nutritious snack for your child's class approximately once a month.
  • Take on a support job — Board Director, class photographer, gardening, shopping, and more.
  • Participate in all special events and community-building activities. Families make a fundraising commitment per year.
  • Supervise a group of 5–8 children during Child Watch while other parents meet with the teacher for the parent education seminar. Responsibility rotates.
  • Attend 3 out of 4 yard workdays each school year — a setup day, two mid-year cleanings, and a closing cleanup day.

FIE Night Topics

  • Amazing Guest Speakers (Julie Olsen Edwards, Janis Keyser!)
  • Kindergarten Readiness
  • Non-Violent Communication
  • Creating Nutritious Meals
  • Self-Care
  • Positive Discipline
  • Co-Parenting Night
  • Children & Art
"We have had two children go through the co-op. I can't imagine a stronger, better foundation for our children — or for us as parents." — Soquel PENS parent
Community Support

Fundraising

Fundraising is crucial to Soquel PENS's continued success. All expenses must be covered through fundraising and tuition. Each member is required to work at least 2 events and raise at least $150 per school year.

Opportunities to volunteer time

  • Promote Pizza My Heart Night (September)
  • Help with Soup Night (October)
  • Help with Story Night (January)
  • Help with the Spring Event (April)
  • Help set up Education Nights
  • Prepare food for events

Opportunities to Raise $150

  • Attend and invite others to Pizza My Heart Night, Soup & Story Night, Spring Event, and Read-A-Thon
  • Make and solicit cash donations to the school — you receive 100% of what you raise
2
Fundraising events worked
required per year
$150
Minimum to raise
per family per year
100%
Of cash donations
go directly to PENS