Beans for Bags: Port Townsend Cooperative Playschool

Port Townsend Cooperative Playschool (PTCP) provides creative play and social interaction for children 9 months to 4 years, and supports parents with early childhood education.  Founded in 1968, PTCP is one of the longest standing non-profit cooperatives on the peninsula. Playschool brings together about 50 families from around the county each year. Children and adults form life-long relationships and PTCP prepares preschool age children for a life of learning in our local school districts, setting the foundation for success and strengthening our community. 

Children benefit from the mental, emotional and physical stimulation they get from being part of a group. Playschool offers a fun, nurturing environment where kids can learn to work and play with children their own age; identify their interests through varied art projects and activity centers; learn through experimentation with sensory play; build warm relationships with adults other than their parents; develop self-discipline and self-confidence; improve their physical coordination by playing with safe, age-appropriate equipment; and develop a foundation to be successful as they move into elementary school.  

Parents also benefit enormously through the cooperative environment of playschool.  During each quarter, parents are responsible for class duties and are encouraged to participate in group discussions led by the Parent Instructor from Peninsula College’s Family Life Education Program.  Parents enlarge their community and support network by working closely with each other each week. Many lifelong friendships have been forged through playschool.