ECPC Summer playdate
Thank you to all of the families who made it to the July 18th playdate. It was a beautiful day and new friends were made. Our next summer playdate is being held on August 2 from 10am-12pm at ECPC. All new families and returning families are welcome. This is a great casual way for the…

Layers of paint reveal 75 years of co-op life
For nearly 75 years, the El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative has supported Bay Area children and families with play, learning and community. The layers of paint on our teachers’ chair are a testament to the generations of preschoolers (and parents!) who have grown on our grounds. For years, children have shared their news in this chair…

Kids learn about veterinary medicine
Our kids got to learn about veterinary medicine recently when ECPC parent Matt visited to talk about his work. Matt showed the kids x-rays of animals, including before and after pictures of a cat’s broken leg, along with model hearts, bones and joints. Then, the kids got to practice a little medicine of their own…
ECPC online auction is NOW OPEN!
Welcome to ECPC’s “Play Matters!” Spring 2015 Online Auction! It is open and ready for bidding, now through June 1 at 9:00 PM. Click here to browse through the amazing travel, adventures, museums, restaurants, shows, and concerts you can win–no need for an account to view. When you’re ready to bid, it’s a few simple…
Online auction coming May 22!
Take this fun quiz to find out, “What ECPC Online Auction Item Are You?” The auction launches May 22, with lots of tempting items to bid on (stay in London, anyone??). What will you go for?

Hummingbirds nest in our backyard
Science brought itself to our children this spring, when hummingbirds nested in our backyard. With so many beautiful outdoor areas on our campus, ECPC kids get to experience the natural world in all kinds of ways, from tending plants to collecting bugs. Watching these little ones was just one of those special opportunities to observe…
Research supports play-based learning
Recent child development research indicates that academic preschool may be harming children’s ability to think creatively. This research supports play-based early learning like the El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative has offered for decades. The article below discusses cutting-edge studies about why child-led play actually supports long-term learning. Why Preschool Shouldn’t Be Like School New research shows that…
Open House May 3
Please join us for our spring Open House on Sunday, May 3 from 10 am to 12 noon. Parents and children are welcome. This is a chance to explore our spacious and beautiful school; experience ECPC-style art, snack and free play; and engage with current and prospective families. It will be a fun morning for prospective…
Yard sale May 2
When: May 2, 9 am-2 pm What: The ECPC yard sale featuring housewares, furniture, kid and baby clothes and gear, etc contributed by our more than 60 families. Our Snack Shack will serve treats throughout. No early birds please. Where: At ECPC, 7200 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito

Reptiles, insects and a lesson in respecting our planet
During a visit from the East Bay Vivarium last week, a presenter introduced the enthralled ECPC kids to a variety of reptiles and insects. At one point, he showed them a Whip Scorpion and explained that it produces vinegar in its tail for defense. “You know vinegar — we put it on salad,” he told the…