Pebbles

What Is a Parent-Run Co-op?

 

Pebbles is built around family participation.

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Rather than being led and supervised by RTS staff, Pebbles families work together to create the rhythm of the program. Parents and caregivers share responsibility for supervising the group, helping facilitate activities, caring for the space, and supporting one another.

Some parents may enjoy taking a lead role in planning activities or guiding the group, while others may prefer a supporting role. Families work together to find a structure that makes use of everyone's strengths.

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A parent or trusted caregiver must remain on campus while their child participates in Pebbles. This does not mean that the parent must be directly engaged with their child during the Pebbles program.

 

What Do Pebbles Kids Do?

 

Pebbles is intentionally playful, flexible, and child-led.

 

A morning might include:

• Exploring the garden and outdoor spaces

• Visiting animals

• Art and sensory activities

• Stories, songs, and imaginative play

• Nature walks and discovery

• Building, digging, climbing, creating, and getting wonderfully messy

• Spending time with children and adults throughout the larger Rock Tree Sky community

 

There is no expectation that every child participate in the same activity at the same time. Children are given space to follow their curiosity, build relationships, and become comfortable within the community at their own pace.

 

Community Is the Curriculum

 

One of the most important parts of Pebbles is simply being together.

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Children build relationships with other children, parents, and the larger Rock Tree Sky community. Families get to know one another, share responsibility, and help create the kind of environment they want their children to experience.

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Pebbles also gives young children an opportunity to become familiar with Rock Tree Sky before eventually moving into Roots and the larger RTS community.

 

Parent Participation

 

Because Pebbles is a cooperative, enrollment includes a commitment from families to participate in making the program work.

Parents and caregivers may rotate between different roles, including helping supervise the group, supporting activities, preparing or cleaning shared spaces, and occasionally taking the lead for the morning.

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Families are not expected to arrive already knowing how to run a co-op. We provide an orientation to help parents understand the expectations, safety practices, shared agreements, and rhythm of the program.