Coops to Co-ops Child Development Pandemic Pod Program
Are your kids tired of being cooped up? Join the Coops to Co-ops Pandemic Pod Program, which offers supervisory support for remote learning, safe socialization and life skills activities for your children.
Dates and Times
September 14th – Until
Monday thru Friday
Track 1: Supervised Remote Learning: 7am - 12pm
Track 2: Enrichment Program: 12pm – 4pm
Track 3: All Day (Remote Learning + Enrichment Program: 7am-4pm
Cost
Track 1: $1500 per month per pod
Track 2: $1200 per month per pod
Track 3: $2700 per month per pod
-
Rate is $15/hour/pod.
-
With a pod maximum of 5 children, childcare and learning costs are as low as $3 per child per hour.
What might my child do and learn?
-
Participate in their school’s remote learning offerings and still interact with other children safely
-
Socialize with other pod families
-
Nature walks
-
Outdoor classrooms – coop, lake, stream, forest, garden, goats, chickens, field
-
Nutrition- wild foraging, food preparation, benefits of a plant-based diet
-
Gardening- plant identification, planting, farming, harvesting
-
Wildlife- native species- birds, reptiles, insects, mammals, adaptation, habitat
-
Free play- sports, games, team activities
-
Survival skills- building structures like bridges, dams, shelters, fire
-
Art- painting, drawing, leaf pressings, pressed flowers, basket weaving, flower crowns, potato stamps, etc
-
Crafts
-
Journaling
-
Movement and mindfulness- yoga, meditation, dance, theater
-
Musical instruments- ukulele, drums and other percussion, singing
-
Child-led query and investigation
How do I make a Pod?
You can either create your own pod (up to 5 children) with families you are already comfortable and familiar with or have us match you with compatible podmates! Pods can include siblings, similar ages, cater to your family's specific needs (i.e. - medical, language, etc.), be formed from families that are comfortable with each other, or be as diverse as you like.
Don't have a pod?
If you do not have a pod, the Coops Team will work with you to meet your child’s needs. Please fill out this survey below to get on a list for a pod, so we can find your podmates! (There is no payment or commitment.)
Sign up via this link.
Parent Involvement
Parents are encouraged to be part of the experience. We provide a paid caregiver during remote-learning hours (7am-12pm).
A parent or Pod-approved supervisor is required between the hours of 12PM-4PM. This is to maintain your pod’s desired approach to social distancing and COVID-19 etiquette, as multiple pods will be joining our provided guided experiential classes. This keeps our programs affordable and inclusive, encourages community interaction and support, and allows children to explore themes in nature using farming, art, nutrition, mindfulness, and more, while practicing safe, social distancing.
Are you planning to be a supervisor?
Parents typically trade off duties, or a stay-at-home or homeschooling parent agrees to take on that responsibility on behalf of their pod. In these cases, when one parent offers to be the full time supervisor, often pod-decided discounts for their child's tuition can be worked out. This should be decided within a pod, however, Coops can make suggestions if needed.
Benefits
During this time, it's difficult for kids to safely socialize. But experts show that socialization is critical during this development stage of their lives.
Pandemic Pods are a solution to limit your child's exposure to hundreds of kids during the COVID19 Pandemic, but still allow for safe interaction, exploration, and outdoor play to continue critical development.
Coops Pandemic Pods offer:
+ Outdoor learning environment
+ Supervision for remote learning
+ Experiential life skill classes
+ Safe socialization
+ An opportunity for your child to learn and develop their interests and talents
+ exposure to nature and new skills
+ a place to play and expel energy from remote learning in front of a screen
+ an opportunity for parents to share the load of childcare and supervision
+ incredibly affordable learning and supervision opportunities
+ a chance to get involved in your children's curriculum
+ an opportunity to teach (ask us how!)
Meet the Facilitators
Janet Phillips - Enrichment Course Leader - Cooking, Wild Foraging
Raw vegan chef, environmental author, steward and educator.
Edgar- Enrichment Course Leader - Music
Edgar is a certified musician.
Emiliano Espinosa- Farming Program Leader
Emiliano is a college student majoring in community development.
Juan- Enrichment Course Leader - Building
Juan is an experienced builder.