Help your toddler adjust to the school environment by being there for them with our Tots Program.
2025-2026 Tots Programs Offered
Tots 1 Class - child must have been born by or on March 1, 2024
Tots 2 Class - child must have been born by or on September 1, 2023
Our Tots Program is designed to help children become familiar with a classroom environment while being accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult.
Throughout their time in the classroom, the child's parent or support person, such as a nanny, grandparent or other caregiver, is present to share activities and guide the child. Toddlers are tactile explorers, and our hands-on program allows children and their adults to explore materials, navigate throughout the classroom, and participate in the activities led by their teachers.
When we enter the classroom we try to look at it from a perspective of being 34” tall. Young children see things differently than older children and adults, and so, take in information differently based on their developmental stage. As teachers plan, they choose activities and objects that support and stimulate children’s learning and growth: messy art, sensory play, sand, water, blocks, and toys for pretend play.
We may offer some activities more than once. When a child approaches an activity or object a second time, they might manipulate or explore it differently, drawing on that previous experience. If we see that many children are interested in a certain kind of play we will offer those objects again. While observing children we may notice that someone is hesitant about a certain type of activity. We may offer a similar activity the following week to provide an opportunity for that child to participate. When we notice that a child has a particular interest we will provide an activity to support the child’s natural attentiveness.
Park West Cooperative currently offers two Tots classes, each with sixteen children and two teachers. Parents and caregivers provide emotional support to their children as they explore classroom activities and socialization. Tots classes are held in our well-equipped preschool classrooms. Each class visits the gym daily and children participate in structured and unstructured large motor activities. Our gym is equipped with mats and tunnels for climbing and jumping, a rock climbing wall with firefighter pole, a slide and playhouse, large building materials, and various opportunities for large format writing and drawing.
SPRING 2025 saturday tots
We are excited to offer a Saturday Class geared towards the Tots community this spring! Children ages 18 months to 3 years old are invited to play and learn in our preschool classroom and gym with a parent or other trusted caregiver. Spend Saturday morning engaged with your child in joyous discovery!
Dates: Saturday mornings, April 5 - May 10
Times: 10:00-11:15 am on Saturday mornings
Ages: Children 18 months - 3 years old accompanied by a parent or caregiver
summer play group
Join us Friday mornings at Park West Co-op for our 6-week Summer Play Group!
Dates: Friday mornings, June 13 - July 25 (no class July 4)
Times: 9:30-11:00 am
Ages: Children 15 months - 4 years old accompanied by a trusted adult
Play Group Information:
Spend time in our preschool classrooms, gym, and outdoor classroom
Experience thoughtfully designed and developmentally appropriate play-based activities that encourage child-led exploration
Gain experience in a preschool setting with group time, stories, and songs
Facilitated by Jenna Heffernan & Camber Zeisler, Park West Tots teachers with extensive experience working with Park West’s youngest learners and their caregivers.
Teachers will provide opportunities and guide students in exploring new materials, learning new songs, and practicing social, fine, and gross motor skills.
Still deciding what to do for school in the fall? This class is a great way to learn more about our programs and the benefits of joining Park West Co-op, and will help your child(ren) become more comfortable in an environment outside of the home with a trusted caregiver.
Already enrolled at Park West for the fall? This class will be a great way to familiarize yourself and your child with school and some school routines.
We hope you'll join us this summer!
Enrichement partner TOts classes
We are proud to host several trusted enrichment partners at Park West, providing enrichment class opportunities to babies, toddlers and preschoolers in our community.