Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool Raphael, now 5 years old, started in 2021 when he was 3 years old. We were looking for a high-performance school, NAEYCaccredited and rated five stars [with the statewide child care ratings]. It was during COVID-19, so we also wanted a place where we knew our child was safe. Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool has an amazing FAVORITE COVID-19 committee with clear child care and efficient rules and procedures. They have in place a very efficient close contact-tracing and mask policy adapted to the case number fluctuation at the state level. We lived in Chapel Hill when Raphael first started, then moved to Apex, but we continued taking him there because we loved the school so much. Emma, his 2-year-old little sister, joined the school last year in the Panda (toddlers) room. Not only does the school provide an inclusive and diverse environment, but it also prepares students to thrive and be successful at the top private schools in the Triangle. Raphael will graduate this Co mp i le d by summer, and he will attend Ravenscroft J e ss ic a St r i n g e r School for kindergarten. Big shoutout for Ms. Emma, Ms. Shavonne and Ms. Jeanne for preparing and supporting Raphael throughout the application process. We love the school culture – at CHCP Courtney’s Drop In Kids Care you feel that you belong to a family. It was a Thursday afternoon when I went to pick I was an anxious mom, nervous about returning back to work after having our last baby. It was midup Emma and Raphael and I stopped by Ms. 2021, COVID-19 was still at its peak, and I was working hard to meet my breastfeeding goals. I was Jeanne’s office to let her know how happy terrified about finding somewhere we could trust with our baby and that would honor the value I our family is with having our kids at CHCP. She told me, ‘I grew up in a large family, placed on ensuring he had access to breast milk and a sanitary environment. During a La Leche and we loved to get all together, to listen to League meeting, a fellow mom recommended Courtney’s [Drop In Kids Care] for my upcoming one another, to support one another and to job interview as it was the only place she trusted with her children. It was a virtual interview, and show our appreciation. This is what I want to bring to CHCP as well.’ And she did! We can I have to be honest, I completed it in the parking lot of Courtney’s because I was so anxious about feel her warm touch in everyday school life. leaving him. I called immediately after the interview to check on him, and he was perfectly fine. We loved to participate in the fall festival They ensured me that he had access to all of the breast milk I provided. So I went to a nearby coffee where each class made an art object and posted it to a silent auction. We had music shop for the first time without a baby in tow. It felt great! Soon after, I had a follow-up, in-person and games at the party, and it was a big interview, and Courtney’s was the first place I turned to. Those visits have now become a safe and success. Raphael and his friends were fun place for all of our children. Courtney’s was a lifesaver for our marriage. We didn’t have friends excited and felt empowered to present their artwork to parents. My favorite show was or family around with whom we could entrust the children. Being able to have an affordable drop-in the art show, where the children wore artist child care option that the kids look forward to attending is an incredible asset to our community. costumes and presented their art to the It allowed me to reenter the workforce on my terms. It allowed my husband and I to have time to parents. It was a delight to see how creative our children can be in their paintings, crafts invest in our marriage. Additionally, the staff treat us like family. It’s always a warm handoff with the or sculptures.” children. They know them by name and not just watch them but engage them in meaningful play – Raluca Liacu, parent of Raphael, 5, and conversation. We are grateful to have such an asset in our community!” and Emma, 2 – Latisha Watson, parent of Kingston, 2, Zaire, 8, and Savannah, 13
IN GOOD CARE We asked parents what they love about their child care spots
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chapelhillmagazine.com
July/August 2023