Toddlers
Toddlers is a first step into preschool for both children and their grown-ups. Children explore an engaging classroom alongside a familiar adult while beginning to discover new materials, new people, and the experience of learning in a group. At the same time, adults gain practical parent education, support, and a community of families growing through the same stage together.
“I thought preschool would be mostly about what my toddler was learning. I didn’t realize how much I would learn, too, or how quickly we would both find our people.”
Toddlers at a Glance
Age
For children 12 months and older who are not yet 24 months by August 31.
Schedule
One class each week.
Participation
An adult attends class with their child
Children's Program
Toddlers learn by touching, moving, watching, experimenting, and doing. Our preschool teachers create rich environments where young children can explore at their own pace with a trusted adult nearby.
Children encounter sensory experiences, art, building materials, dramatic play, outdoor exploration, music, movement, and plenty of opportunities to climb, sing, dance, and discover.
Some children are already confidently walking when they begin, while others are still working toward those first steps. The classroom is designed to welcome children across that range of development and give each child room to grow.
The goal is not to push toddlers toward the next milestone. It is to give them a safe, engaging place to explore who they are becoming.
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What Class Looks like
Each class follows a predictable rhythm designed to help children feel secure, engaged, and ready to learn through play.
Play & Exploration
Children explore developmentally appropriate materials through sensory play, art, building, pretend play, and other hands-on experiences.
Movement
Toddlers have opportunities to climb, move, dance, and use their rapidly developing bodies in active play.
Music & Singing
Songs, rhythm, and movement give children playful ways to participate, communicate, and connect with the group.
Outdoor Experiences
When the setting and weather allow, children have opportunities to explore and play outdoors.
Learning Together
Children experience the classroom alongside their grown-up, gradually becoming comfortable with teachers, other children, and the rhythms of a preschool community.
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Support for Parents & Caregivers
One adult from each family enrolls through South Seattle College as part of the co-op program.
Toddlerhood brings enormous changes in movement, language, sleep, eating, emotions, independence, and behavior. Having other adults to talk with can make those changes feel much less mysterious.
A South Seattle College parent educator participates in class each week, checking in with families and facilitating discussions about child development and everyday parenting. Topics might include tantrums, picky eating, sleep, climbing, language development, brain growth, and whatever families are navigating at the time.
Adults also learn by watching children interact with one another and by practicing ways to support play, communication, and social development.
Over time, families build their own support network of friends who understand this particular stage of life.
How Families Participate
Co-op works because families are active participants in the classroom and the community.
In Toddlers, your family's participation includes:
Attending class with your child each week and participating in the classroom community.
Taking part in parent-education discussion time with the South Seattle College parent educator.
Participating in a monthly class meeting that combines preschool business, community-building, and parent education.
Taking on a co-op job that fits your interests, skills, and available time.
Attending a quarterly parent education seminar from a range of practical parenting and child-development topics.
Participation can be shared. Grandparents, nannies, aunties, uncles, and other important adults in your child's life are welcome to take part and help your family fulfill its co-op commitments.
Current Toddlers Classes
Find the location and schedule that works best for your family.
Cost & Financial Support
We are committed to making our programs accessible to as many families as possible.
Registration & Tuition
Registration fees are charged annually. Monthly tuition varies by class and location; current tuition is shown with each class above.
Financial Assistance
Tuition assistance is available through SSC Cooperative Preschools scholarship funds. Families can apply for support throughout the school year.