On behalf of Overlee 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. 

As one of the oldest Cooperative preschools in Northern Virginia,  Overlee Preschool was founded in 1945 and has been a place for parents to actively participate in their children’s early 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. Our parents volunteer on average only 50 hours a year in the classroom. Parents who are volunteering their time are simply not going to be able to complete the same orientation and training requirements as our paid classroom teachers.  

We 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 Overlee 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 and trained classroom teachers.

 I have had two childern go through Overlee and have been so pleased with their growth and development while at Overlee.  We have also liked playing an active role in their education.  My husband and I, however, are a dual income family and the burden of the additional training required by these proposed changes may make it difficult (if not impossible) for people like our family to be part of this amazing organization.  We have a third child we plan to send to Overlee, but may not happen if these proposed changes are not modifed as indicated above.  

Thank you for your time and consideration of our comments.  

Amanda Jo Dezaki

Parent at Overlee Preschool