On behalf of Annandale Cooperative Preschool I am requesting changes to the Proposed
Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers, specifically in regard to the requirements for staff
orientation and ongoing training. 

 Since 1947 Annandale Cooperative Preschool has been a place for parents to actively participate
in their children’s education by working directly in our classrooms as teachers’ aides.  The new
requirements for staff orientation (22VAC40-185- 240) and ongoing training (22VAC40-185-
245) would impose an undue burden on our parents by expecting them to complete 16 hours of
orientation and 20 hours per year of ongoing training.  Parents who are volunteering their time
are simply not going to be willing or able to complete the same orientation and training
requirements as our paid classroom teachers.   

I request that the total number of training hours (both orientation and ongoing, collectively)
for cooperative preschool parents be limited to the current 4 hours. Please remove the language
"who are not considered staff"; from section 22VAC40-185- 245C describing the required annual
training for cooperative preschool parents. Please include an exception for cooperative preschool
parents in the new orientation training section 22VAC40-185- 240. 

Parents working in classrooms at Annandale Cooperative Preschool complete all of the
background checks outlined in Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies.  They work
under the direct supervision of well qualified classroom teachers in our award winning, NAEYC
accredited program.

If the orientation and ongoing training sections of the proposed standards are not changed,
cooperative preschools like ours will be forced to hire additional staff, making the cost
prohibitive for many of our families.  Cooperative schools may have to close as parents are
unwilling to enroll their children in programs which put unreasonable burdens on them.  Either
outcome robs children of the high quality, affordable early education that cooperative preschools
provide.

 I currently have two children enrolled in Annandale Cooperative Preschool.  I have enjoyed spending this quality time with my children in their classroom, watching them grown and learn and interact with their peers.  Personally participating in their education has given me new insights into my children and my parenting. I have learned new approaches, new skills, and a fresh take on the challenging job of teachers.  Of course, in addition to high quaility education, one of the primary factors for consideration when choosing a preschool is cost, especially with two children in preschool.  The affordability of a cooperative preschool was very attractive to us, considering the very high cost of preschool in the D.C. metro area.  A cooperative preschool has allowed our family to enjoy high quality, affordable education.  These proposed changes would create an additional burden on our family.  We do not want to see cooperative preschools close or increase their costs. Please include an exception for cooperative preschool parents in the required training hours!