Albuquerque Preschool Co-Op

Jason Adams _{on Google}

Aug 12th, 2023

APC was everything we hoped a preschool would be for our daughter! Comfortable, caring, professional. A fun, loving place for personal growth. Chickens! A place totally centered around the kids, not some quasi -elementary prison like some we visited. The whole staff is amazing and we never questioned that they have anything but her best interests in mind. The volunteer requirements meant we had chances to get to know her teachers and classmates very well. This review doesn't do it justice but we were so sad to have to leave the school when we moved. We miss you all!

Jennifer Boyd _{on Google}

Oct 26th, 2015

I went for a visit in January of last year and liked it so much that I opted to pull my child out of his then preschool. The teachers are amazing. The administrative staff is very responsive. My child went from having a really tough time to thriving. I know have my two boys enrolled and I couldn't be happier.

Monika Myers _{on Google}

Mar 7th, 2019

I know that it can be challenging to sort through the many preschool options, so I want to provide as much information as I can to help other parents decide.
I looked at dozens of preschools, in person and online, before choosing this program. I looked for three things when I was trying to find a preschool: (1) Is it really a preschool or is it daycare? Answer: This program is definitely a preschool, not a daycare. There is a specific start and end time to the day with specific activities at different times. It is not a drop in/drop out center. I like this. I am not looking for a babysitter, I am looking for a real chance for my kids to grow.
(2) Do the teachers seem like they enjoy their jobs? Are they present? Answer: Of all the schools I have toured, this one had the most engaged teachers. I have continued to volunteer a few times a month for over a year and I have now had multiple more opportunities to observe the teachers. They sit on the ground and play with the kids. I have never heard a teacher raise his or her voice. The teachers seem to like their jobs. At many other schools, teachers seemed sort of dazed and bored.
(3) Does it use a play-based curriculum (which I believe is better for young kids) or does it push academics? Answer: this program uses a play-based curriculum. Children have multiple different stations that they can choose from throughout free play time (science, art, manipulatives, blocks, dress up, etc.). Each of these areas has enough space for many kids to comfortably play without crowding each other. Notably, art is always available--kids can paint pictures or do crafts anytime. These stations change monthly. I know that many preschools have stations, but I just didn't see the variety of activities at other schools I toured and visited. I also didn't see much emphasis on art. My kids come home almost everyday with some kind of art project that they have created.
The last thing I really like about this school is that there are always two to three parents volunteering at any time. This means that (1) teachers are always held accountable to the highest standards because they are always being observed and (2) kids get exposure to a caring community of other adults. Each parent brings their own personality to volunteering and my kids benefit from having this variety, even while their main teacher stays the same.
There is nothing like this school. It is a genuine preschool (not a daycare), the teachers are engaged and happy, the kids have enough room and space to explore a variety of activities, art is emphasized and valued, and parents are always present. I highly recommend this program.