Question 1

What is the Lighthouse Homeschool Co-op?

Accepted Answer

The Lighthouse Homeschool Co-op is a branch of the Pennridge Playgroup Non-profit, created by local homeschool moms who wanted to give our children a structured learning environment similar to preschool/kindergarten that would also promote healthy socialization & community. Having a classroom gives our group a homebase, allowing us to meet weekly to teach lessons, do fun activities, and have an indoor & outdoor space for free-play, all while supporting one another on the homeschooling journey. We work together to create the curriculum that we teach each week and every mom volunteers to fulfill a certain role. We are a team and our goal is to give our kids the best foundation for a life-long love of learning and friendship!

Question 2

Where do you meet?

Accepted Answer

We meet at the Haycock Township Community Center in Quakertown, PA, a former elementary school in Bucks County. We have access to a classroom for structured activities, a playground for outdoor play, and a full gymnasium for potlucks, parties, and seasonal celebrations.

Question 3

What ages do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Currently, our co-op is designed primarily for children ages 2–5, but siblings of all ages are welcome in the space. We even have a section in the classroom for babies and toddlers who aren't quite ready to participate in the group activities. As our children grow, our age range will also level up with the families that choose to remain in the co-op.

Question 4

How many families are currently involved?

Accepted Answer

Right now, we have between 30–40 children participating, with new families joining as word spreads. Our classes max out at 20 kids, babies included.

Question 5

What days do you operate?

Accepted Answer

Currently, each family chooses one day per week as their co-op day, which are Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-12pm. An additional hour of outdoor free play on the playground is optional at the end of each class.

Families are also welcome to join our Open Play days held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-1pm.

We currently have a waitlist for Mondays and will start that class when we have enough families wanting to join on that day. For now, we will use Mondays as Enrichment Classes that require a sign-up (so that we don't go over our classroom capacity.)

Question 6

How much does it cost to join?

Accepted Answer

Membership dues help us cover our classroom rent, insurance, supplies, classroom furniture, events and marketing expenses. Since we are a non-profit, nobody makes an income from our membership dues, they go straight to expenses.

Each family must contribute an initial donation of at least $265, as this is the equal share of start-up expenses that allowed us to bring this co-op to life. This "Initial Contribution" covers your first month of membership dues for all of your children.

After the first month, membership dues are charged monthly or annually, based on the number of children enrolled in the co-op. The more kids, the less we each have to pay to cover our monthly expenses, and vice-versa. Currently, we are looking at about $45 per child per month. We have to charge for babies for several reasons: 1) We must pay extra for our insurance to cover babies, 2) Our room capacity includes babies,  3) we will have at least two volunteers handling the baby section, and 4) they can be included in the lessons whenever they are ready to join in!

Question 7

What does a typical Co-op day look like?

Accepted Answer

Here is the general layout of each class:

Part 1. Welcome Circle & Themed Activity (10:00–10:50)
10:00–10:15: Welcome Song, Show & Tell
10:15–10:20: Theme Introduction & lesson/demonstration
10:20–10:50: Themed Group Activity

Part 2. Snack & Free Play (10:50–11:50)
10:50–11:05: Snack Time
11:05–11:45: Free Play Stations (Montessori Practical Life Station, Building & Construction Station, Art Station, Nature Exploration Station, etc. *we can change these up*)
11:45–11:50: Clean Up Time

Part 3. Storytime & Closing (11:50–12:00)
11:50-12:00: Theme-related Storytime & Good Bye Song

Part 4: Optional Outdoor Free Play (12:00–1:00)

Question 8

What is the enrollment process?

Accepted Answer

1. Reach our to our Executive Director, Carina Ottey, either through this website's contact form, on Facebook messenger (Carina Nicole on FB) or through emailing lighthousecoop.bucks@gmail.com so she can check the availability for each class. She will either put you on a waitlist or if there is a spot available, instruct you to complete the next steps.

2. Complete the Pre-enrollment form and provide your Initial Contribution of $265 in order to claim your spot. Payments can be made online via our payment link or with cash or check.

3. Complete the Membership Application & Agreement, sign the waiver & membership handbook, and upload your background check reports and child abuse clearances for each parent and trusted caregiver who may be in the classroom. (The website will walk you through how to obtain those documents.) *To ensure every child's safety and for contractual and insurance purposes, no adult is allowed in the classroom during co-op hours who has not submitted their approved background check & child abuse clearance.*

4. Volunteer for a role or be assigned to a role. (A homeschool "Co-op" is short for COOPERATIVE, which means we all must cooperate and work together to support the class.)

5. Join your class & have fun!!!

Question 9

Do parents stay during co-op time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lighthouse is a parent-participation co-op, meaning families learn and play alongside their children. This helps build a strong, supportive community while giving our children the joy of learning together. We are NOT a daycare or a preschool- as our insurance and lease does NOT include a drop-off program.

Question 10

What are parents’ responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Every family contributes to making the co-op run smoothly—whether by helping in the classroom, planning activities, assisting with events, or bringing snacks. We believe collaboration makes the experience richer for everyone. The following volunteer positions are served in terms that work for the parent, as many of us are still going through seasons of pregnancy and postpartum. When life allows a larger role, feel free to step up into one and when life requires a smaller role, feel free to step down into one. We pride ourselves on being very flexible and designed with the natural cycle of motherhood.

Some volunteer positions are:
Board Member: President, Vice President, Secretary,  Treasurer
Class Representatives (1-2 per class)
Curriculum Facilitator (1)
Event Planner (1)
Head Teacher (2 per class)
Assistant Teacher (2 per class)
General Volunteer (clean up, baby section, snacks, etc.) (multiple per class)

Question 11

Do you require background checks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For the safety of all children, parents and trusted caregivers must complete Pennsylvania’s required background checks and child abuse clearances before participating. These documents can be uploaded securely through your membership profile and our enrollment process will walk you through the process of obtaining them.

For safety, insurance & contractual reasons, NO adult will be allowed in the classroom during co-op hours without an approved background check and child abuse clearance.

Question 12

Is Lighthouse a religious program?

Accepted Answer

No. We welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds. While many of us are spiritual,  our co-op is not affiliated with any particular religion. We are committed to keeping the classroom and community as neutral as possible to ensure that everyone feels welcome and accepted.

We also aim to leave political beliefs and judgements aside so we can work together in harmony and unity.

Question 13

Can I visit before joining?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only during hours where the co-op is not in-session. Please arrange a meeting with one of the Board members.

Question 14

What is your Curriculum style/ Education Model?

Accepted Answer

Our curriculum will be a group effort each quarter, however, it will likely take bits and pieces of each of these education models:

Montessori: This child-centered method emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and hands-on learning. Montessori classrooms use specially designed manipulative materials that encourage exploration and engagement of the senses. Children often work individually or in small groups at their own pace, fostering self-confidence and a love of learning. The curriculum covers practical life skills, sensorial exploration, math, language, and cultural studies.

Waldorf: This holistic approach prioritizes imaginative play, creativity, and the development of a rich inner life. Waldorf preschools employ a regular daily routine that includes free play, artistic work (drawing, painting, modeling), circle time (songs, games, and stories), outdoor recess, and practical tasks (cooking, cleaning, gardening), with rhythmic variations. Technology is generally avoided in the classroom, with a focus on real-world experiences and connection to nature.

Reggio Emilia: This approach views children as capable, creative, and active participants in their own learning journey. It emphasizes collaboration, communication, and self-expression through various mediums like art, drama, and movement. The environment is considered the "third teacher," with thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage exploration and creativity. Learning often occurs through long-term projects based on children's interests.

Play-Based: This approach centers on the belief that children learn best through play. Activities like role-playing, building blocks, and problem-solving games keep children engaged and help them develop essential cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. Play-based learning encourages children to explore, be creative, and develop crucial life skills in a playful, stress-free environment.

Project Based: For preschoolers, project-based learning (PBL) involves children learning through hands-on, collaborative projects that investigate real-world questions or problems. This method fosters their natural curiosity, allowing them to explore, experiment, and find solutions through activities like building or storytelling. PBL promotes critical thinking, communication, and teamwork, helping children develop crucial skills for both learning and life.

Question 15

What is your curriculum model?

Accepted Answer

To provide a neutral/secular, well-rounded and age-appropriate education, the curriculum is inspired by the visible light spectrum (hence The “Lighthouse” Co-Op), using the themes of ROYGBV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet/Purple). This framework sparks creativity for course creators, guiding the development of lessons, demonstrations, and activities while providing a natural progression for teaching.

The educational purpose of the color spectrum is to help children explore the themes and life lessons associated with each color, fostering a deeper understanding of how to live a balanced and harmonious life.

For example:
Week 1 – RED: Taking action / Movement
Week 2 – ORANGE: Creativity / Self-expression
Week 3 – YELLOW: Confidence / Joy
Week 4 – GREEN: Growth / Health
Week 5 – BLUE: Emotions / Communication
Week 6 – VIOLET: Compassion / Kindness
Week 7 – RAINBOW: Celebration / Gratitude
Week 8 – WHITE/BLACK: Balance / Peace

(Kindly note, this Color Spectrum curriculum is designed to maintain a neutral learning environment and is not connected to the LGBTQ flag. If you’d like to incorporate those discussions, you are free to include them in your at-home curriculum. Thank you for your understanding.)

THE LIGHTHOUSE
Homeschool Cooperative

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)