Spokane parent co-op preschools secure funding despite statewide challenges

SPOKANE, Wash. — Five parent co-op preschools in the Spokane area will continue operating next year despite funding challenges affecting programs across Washington state.

Each program serves between 15 and 60 families. Spokane Falls Community College has committed to funding all five local co-ops for the upcoming year.

The state changed how it funds parent co-op preschools over the past year. Programs used to receive funding based on enrollment. Now the state awards funding based on how many parents earn workforce credentials through the programs.

Many parent co-ops in western Washington are struggling to stay open under the new funding model.

“We are an independent small business. Each of our parents who are bringing their children here are business owners. They are part of this independent business, they are running the co-op,” said Laura West, a teacher at Northwest Parent Co-op.

Many parent co-ops allow parents to take classes at community colleges as part of the program. The Spokane co-ops plan to move in a different direction.

“Really what I see as the difference next year that’s changing is just a difference in our income source. Nothing about our operations, nothing about our ability to stay funded is going to change,” said Alexandra Lappano, chairperson of Northwest Parent Co-op.

Spokane Falls Community College has already budgeted for the Northwest Parent Co-op and four other area co-ops to function normally next year.

“They’ve already budgeted for us to be functioning as normal next year. They’re going to be spending that year to look for ways to continue supporting us. Even if it’s not through that direct parent ed model, it might be leaning more into our status as a non-profit,” West said.

West has been involved with the co-op as both a parent and teacher for seven years. She says the preschool helped prepare her children for kindergarten and hopes it will continue as a resource for local parents.

Northwest Parent Co-op plans to expand next year by offering a transitional kindergarten program for children who aren’t ready for full-day kindergarten.