Our Story

Imagine a place where you are never judged, your voice is heard, diversity is celebrated, and everyone knows your name

Our Story

Imagine a place where you are never judged, your voice is heard, diversity is celebrated, and everyone knows your name

Our Story

Imagine a place where you are never judged, your voice is heard, diversity is celebrated, and everyone knows your name

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How It All Began

Northaven Co-operative Preschool has been in existence since 1969. It was started by a group of mothers interested in an alternative, quality preschool that was different from others they had found in Dallas. In the Co-op environment, parents take turns assisting the teacher in the classroom. The parents whose children are enrolled in the school operate the Co-op.

The Co-op community is richly diverse. Our families are representative of every culture, religion, ethnicity, and configuration; the philosophy of inclusion is deeply rooted in our preschool’s framework and educational philosophy. Families from all walks of life come together here to participate and actively engage in their children’s education.

“It is important to start life with a good feeling about people. The place to begin is with the preschool child.”

Mrs. Mary Jabara, one of the founders of Northaven Co-operative Preschool

Our Vision

Our first priority, always, is to nurture students and families, creating an environment for learning and growth.

We create this environment by partnering with families to provide early school experiences that offer opportunities for children to:

use their large muscles vigorously and with increasing control;
explore small muscle skills;
experience the environment through all their senses;
become aware of their own feelings and emotions as natural and acceptable and to learn to express them in constructive ways;
enjoy the company of other boys and girls;
see themselves as individuals in relationship to other children and adults;
grow in independence, self-confidence, and self-control;
explore books, abilities to observe, pay attention, follow directions, and communicate while nurturing a sense of wonder.

What Our Families Say

After having such a meaningful, warm, full of core memories pre-school experience as a Co-op kid, I knew this was the type of first school experience our children should have as well. The vast field trips, muscle room, cooking, carnival, celebrating different cultures, and creating books are just a few memories I recall off hand. Fast forward thirty plus years and that is exactly what Northaven Co-operative Preschool is still providing. Our son is thriving! He loves to go see his classmates and teachers and explore the many new sensory-enriching activities his teacher so purposefully planned. Northaven has provided an environment that is knowledgeable on different types of learners and ensured our child is doing age-appropriate activities while focusing on learning socio-emotional regulation skills. We could not be happier with the community Northaven has provided us as well as the educational opportunities given to our child. Plus, it is the best when we get to volunteer in our son’s classroom! We love watching him interact with his peers first hand and see the fun learning going on in the classroom. We can’t wait for our youngest to join the Co-op family!

Lisa Ann S - Co-op Parent & Former Co-op Kid

How It All Began

“It is important to start life with a good feeling about people. The place to begin is with the preschool child.”

Our Vision

What Our Families Say

Contact Us

About Us