Ann Arbor woman plans new preschool that boasts child-directed learning, parent participation

Posted on Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 5:58 a.m.

Ann Arbor woman plans new preschool that boasts child-directed learning, parent participation

By Danielle Arndt

Danielle Cassetta plays "guitar" with her son Ian in a playroom at Acorn Glen Cooperative Preschool.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Looking for a unique, interactive and intimate preschool experience? Ann Arbor parents may have a new option to consider come fall.

Child-directed learning and parent participation are the pillars of Acorn Glen Cooperative Preschool, set to open in September 2013.

Danielle Cassetta, a California native, is in the process of obtaining her child care license from the state of Michigan and hopes to launch the preschool out of her home at 1547 Miller Ave. on Ann Arbor’s west side.

During the past several months, Cassetta and her husband, Jered, a social studies teacher at Ypsilanti New Tech High School, have transformed their home and backyard into a preschooler’s paradise.

Three garden areas, roaming chickens, a sand pit, mud pie kitchen, “fairy forest” and a hammock-like xylophone now comprise the Cassettas’ backyard. Also, once the weather warms up, there will be a sunflower house and play structures.

Inside, all of the rooms are loaded with shelves and boxes of toys, instruments, hand-died pasta and arts-and-crafts supplies. Most of the toys are methodically labeled to promote literacy and to help the preschoolers learn various words.

Danielle Cassetta plays a kid-friendly instrument that she built and strung between two trees in the backyard of her home and soon-to-be preschool.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The cooperative preschool model will involve up to five parents being active in the daily operations of Acorn Glen and helping to ensure a safe learning environment and that children’s needs are being met, Cassetta said.

One parent from each family will assist and join in the play one morning per week from 8:45 a.m. until noon. The day of the week is agreed upon by the parent and Cassetta at the time of registration and may depend on space.

Cassetta said Ann Arbor has a number of excellent cooperative-style programs, like Little Lake Learning Community, but what sets Acorn Glen apart is its intimate and curriculum-free environment.

“The difference is the bulk of the day is planned and executed by the children,” she said. “… A typical preschool consists of a day where the moment they come into the classroom there is a set of ideas of what will be offered for the children that day. It’s planned and adult-directed. And I think you lose a little something when that happens. The children lose the ability to know how to have a voice.”

Cassetta said there is so much emphasis placed on kindergarten readiness and raising the bar of academic excellence earlier and earlier these days. Her preschool will allow students to subconsciously absorb academic standards, rather than having them force fed.

“I’ve always believed that optimal learning happens when there is optimal buy-in on the part of the students,” she said. “You can achieve this with adult-directed activities every now and then, if they are really intriguing to the children. But there are casualties to the child when it’s a model that is used everyday.”

Among the casualties she lists are children’s interest levels, diversity of thought, the ability for children to acquire planning or time management skills and the sense of power or fulfillment in learning.

Acorn Glen will accept up to 12 students per class, not including Cassetta’s own son, 2-year-old Ian, who will be part of the cooperative. Cassetta and her husband also are expecting their second child in early summer.

Cassetta has five years of experience in childhood development and daycare programs, including as a co-director for It’s A Small World in Ypsilanti. Additionally, she volunteered for a year at Ann Arbor Open, helping out in classrooms and during afterschool programs. Cassetta obtained her bachelor’s degree in global studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Cassetta’s dreams for Acorn Glen began percolating during her internship in 2009 with Rocky Mountain Participation Nursery School, a cooperative preschool in San Francisco. She saw this school as the perfect blend of parent involvement and support as well as child-driven learning.

She is excited about opening a cooperative preschool in Ann Arbor and sees her preschool’s philosophy in line with schools such as Little Lake Learning Community, Ann Arbor Open and Community High. Cassetta said she feels a movement could be in the making to offer more authentic and relevant educational experiences to Ann Arbor families.

Acorn Glen is open to the community now in the form of Saturday play-dates. Several open houses will take place prior to September. The next is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. A second open house will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 16.

Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.

Comments

Jules :)

Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.

I am really interested in a cooperative preschool for my son. My husband and I have visited numerous cooperatives in the area. I was interested in this one, but my hesitation is the fact that the teacher has a young child and one due this summer (not too long before school will start). I know co-ops are more family involved than other preschools (since parents volunteer each day for class), but having two young children while teaching seems like it could be very distracting and time consuming for the teacher.

Rebecca Anne Szetela

Fri, Mar 1, 2013 : 3:08 a.m.

I'm surprised by the hostility of the comments to this article, directed both towards the author and Mrs. Cassetta. Mrs. Cassetta's preschool sounds like a lovely school and I wish her the best of luck with her new business.

Katy Czarnecki

Mon, Feb 4, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.

The set-up of the environment is also HighScope....with the diffferent activity areas (reading, dramatic play, music, science etc.) As well as the curriculum..."shaping the curriculum for the children." Both taken directly from your website. Hm...

Katy Czarnecki

Mon, Feb 4, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.

I'll say it again: This is the HighScope curriculum...even if you aren't calling it that. This is taken directly from your website: We are child-directed and highly value providing children with ample time and materials to explore and play at their own pace and at what they are interested in. THAT is HighScope.

kengriffey

Mon, Feb 4, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.

No offense, but saying something again, and then a third time doesn't mean any one will care any more. Plus, what's your point? Teachers openly admit all the time to "copying" good ideas. Further, most places boast something of the same. ....oh no, it's high scope! hm

lucky5s

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 2:50 a.m.

Thank you for your response. I just think the discussion should be about why child-led learning is beneficial/needed in our current academic climate. We should be praising all the preschools that do this, rather than setting your program aside as better than others. That is what makes this whole article seem like an advertisement.

Danielle Cassetta

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 2:10 a.m.

Hello Lucky5s, I cannot speak to Allen Creek as I am not terribly familiar with their program, however, Green Apple Garden is markedly more child-directed than the average preschool, and is a wonderful nature-based play school in the area. The do still have a curriculum, which for a curriculum, I find to be lovely. They are not a parent co-op, but conversely, they do offer full-time care for families that need it - which is great. Parent cooperatives do offer vastly reduced tuition to parents who can commit the time, and many stay-at-homers depend on this kind of price cut to be able to enter their children in a preschool setting. Green Apple Garden aside, I do think that my response to Sue, written just moments before your comment, addresses the main differences (which may seem subtle to some as we as a society have come to see preschool curriculums as a given) between one play based center (Acorn Glen) and another (most other preschools) as well as my credentials. If you would like specifics, I have 24 units of Child Development and Early Childhood Education from Mission College in Santa Clara and City College of San Francisco, not to mention years of experience and a vast interest in educating myself informally through reading and networking in these subjects. Thank You, Danielle

Danielle Cassetta

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.

The main difference I do see between what we are offering and what traditional preschools and day care centers are offering is that most places balance free play and structured activity time (like you described above), and allot very specific times for each activity as well as outside time. At Acorn Glen, we offer an alternative to the community: complete free 'child directed' play with adult supervision, guidance, and companionship – including unlimited freedom to play outside. That is what is meant when the article refers to 'child-directed'. I have worked for and run centers which provide amazing care for children, and where it is evident that the staff cares for the children deeply (and to me that is the most important aspect of a child care provider); but I do see a difference in the curriculum and simply feel that families in our area should think about the benefits of 'less structure' at the pre-school age and be able to chose what fits best for them. Lastly, I do agree with you that 'child directed learning' is 'the oldest, most natural form of intellectual, social, psychological and physical child development, through childhood play, interaction and exploration' and that is even more reason why it plays such a large role in the philosophy of Acorn Glen and why we feel children of this age can and will flourish in such an environment. Thanks, Danielle

lucky5s

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 1:55 a.m.

I agree that this sounds like a sales pitch and nothing more. If you want to write a news article, please focus on some aspect of this particular preschool that is newsworthy. For example, the trend of increased academic pressure in preschool and the need for programs that do not bend to that pressure. It is inaccurate to claim that a child-led approach sets this program apart, when there are many lovely programs right there in the same area of town (Green Apple Garden and Allen Creek to name two very close ones) that do this very well. You are hoping to be a co-op which is something different. However, the other co-ops in town provide child-led approaches, too. Your program sounds eerily similar to some other ones in the neighborhood. I would like to know more about credentials, too. Something seems a little fishy to me. But, I will assume all is well, and wish you luck. I certainly do applaud those who promote respect for children.

Danielle Cassetta

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 1:55 a.m.

Hello Sue, Thank you for your comment. You are right in that I do not have a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood; however, I am qualified to serve as a Director of a Child Care Center and have for years. I do have an educational background in child development, but I also believe that formal education is not the only nor the most qualifying way in which someone can prepare to be successful in their field and offer contributions to the community. I find nothing wrong with day care centers as they offer an essential service to many families who need full time care. I have chosen to operate on a smaller home-based scale as a part-time parent cooperative not only because it has been a dream of mine and aligns with my philosophy, but because it fits in nicely with my ability to commit more time to my own young children. I do not, however, agree that Acorn Glen is a 'glorified day care center', and the 'child directed' aspect of the program is the most notable reason why. I do agree that routines are helpful in providing children with a predictable and stable environment and help them to feel secure and confident as they participate in the day, and we do have a brief morning circle, snack and closing circle for this reason. Children are not forced to participate in these routines though should they find something else more worth their time. ...to be continued...

Donna Samuelson

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 1:13 a.m.

Excellent job Danielle! As an early childhood educator-turned stay at home mom, I admire your ambition and philosophy. Thank you for bringing such an important way of thinking into our the minds of the readers. You hit the nail on the head about children loosing interest when activities are adult-initiated. Young children gain MUCH more "readiness" by having the skills to navigate their day with confidence and thought than if they just learned abc and 123 all day long. :) Looking forward to hearing more about your preschool. Do you have a blog?

Danielle Cassetta

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 4:16 p.m.

Hi Donna, If you'd like, you can visit our website at www.acornglen.org and click on the Our Blog tab on the left... Thanks for your support! Danielle

Me717

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 11:45 p.m.

Ann Arbor Co-op Preschool is a non-profit, non-sectarian preschool operated by and for its members since 1938. That's before WWII. It's the oldest in co-op in the state. Many, many kids have gone through this wonderful school, including my own 21, and 18 year old kids. Open House February 9th, 2013. Co-ops are absolutely the best, but they require parents who can afford the time to be involved. It would be great if all kids could be in a co-op with their parents...yes...call me a socialist, but it's good for young kids and their parents. Everyone benefits.

Sue

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 10:42 p.m.

This sounds like nothing more than a glorified daycare, being pitched as a "child driven learning center". There was no mention of any actual college credentials in early childhood development, preschool education, child psychology, etc., such as at least an associates degree that qualifies her as to operate a preschool. Children do well with regular daily routines, not rigid, every last detail laid out minute by minute, but with meals, play time, nap time, clean up time, bath time, story time, bedtime, etc., all approximately at the same time every day. It's been shown that young ones are actually comforted and reassured by routines because they feel safer knowing they can trust those in charge to meet their needs. And any learning that happens during the baby/toddler/preschool years happens naturally through play, communication and repetition, especially if the activities are fun, whether it's in a structured or unstructured environment. "Among the casualties she lists are children's interest levels, diversity of thought, the ability for children to acquire planning or time management skills and the sense of power or fulfillment in learning." Having a daily schedule will not cause "casualties" to children in any of these areas. As long as there are a variety of interesting, fun, hands on activities, games, toys, etc. available during "free" or "play" time for the children to choose from, as well as room for them to run and play and vocalize and socialize, they will learn to think and plan and manage their time and have a sense of power and confidence in themselves, as well as learn how to communicate, share, follow directions and get along with their peers. So what she refers to as child driven learning sounds more like the oldest, most natural form of intellectual, social, psychological and physical child development, through childhood play, interaction and exploration. The kind any decent daycare center pr

a2citizen

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 5:07 a.m.

My mom had five kids but, alas, no college education. None of us ended up in prison (yet).

Danielle Cassetta

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 1:42 a.m.

Sue

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 10:51 p.m.

*provides.

Katy

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 9:48 p.m.

This sounds exactly like the HighScope curriculum.

PeteM

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.

This sounds interesting, and as with any new enterprise I hope that it makes it. That said, I have a couple of thoughts. First, while I agree that preschoolers shouldn't have to shuttle from elementary Russian to violin lessons to get a leg up on the other 3 year-olds, I also think that it's important that they learn to accept adult direction. I see many kids of early grade school age who struggle in structured environments more than I believe earlier generations did. Second, it seems that this school could only work for two-parent families with one stay at home parent, or for parents with very flexible jobs. I can't imagine that there are many single parents, or couples where both work, where a parent could commit to taking a morning off once a week.

Danielle Cassetta

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.

Hello Pete and Lorayn, I wouldn't call the parent work days a 'drawback' simply because everyone cannot participate in them; They do not offer the opportunity for each family in the community to participate, but for the families who can they appreciate that the program brings them into the classroom and community on a more frequent basis without requiring commitments outside of the school day. Danielle

lorayn54

Sun, Feb 3, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.

@peteM - that is one of the drawbacks of this kind of program, when the coop requirement is classroom participation. In the coops I participated in there was a range of different ways to contribute, so the program was open to different types of families. This could include in classroom participation, but also weekend "workdays" when larger projects could take place, weekly chores such as laundry, etc.

lorayn54

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 3:43 p.m.

This sounds great and is much needed in our area. both of my children attended parent coop preschool/day care centers here in ann arbor (Corntree and Community Daycare) and in Seattle. It was a wonderful experience for our family. I'm concerned that this article makes it appear as if there are no other similar coop programs here in Washtenaw county. I don't think that's true. this article sounds a lot like a "pitch" for this new program and not really journalism.

Danielle Cassetta

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 6:12 p.m.

Hi Lorayn54, There are many great cooperative preschools in the area, and lots of families love them and stand by them. I think the goal of the article was really meant to highlight the differences that can exist within play-based centers as a group and to elicit thinking about the degree of control that is given to children versus retained by adults within that group. But, yes, you are right - Ann Arbor is lucky to have so many choices when it comes to Parent Cooperatives, notably Triangle, Stone School, Glacier Way, Ann Arbor Cooperative Preschool, and FUMNC.

say it plain

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 3:57 p.m.

I agree about the tone of this piece, and about the implication that this is filling some sort of totally unmet need in Ann Arbor. There are other coop preschool/daycares, and there are other "child-centered" programs that don't have an official co-op component (like Community Day Care, a center you mention @lorayn54, which is nicely 'child-centered' and not a co-op as I understood it). It may not be as common as we'd like it to be; I think the piece is correct about over-emphasis on pushing 'curricula' that claim to get the kids ready for grade school. But it's not close to unheard of in Ann Arbor to have any of the features that it seems like this new school will have. It does come off like a 'pitch', which is sad to see.

Danielle Cassetta

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 3:24 p.m.

Hi Billy, You are correct - the open houses/play groups are really from 1030 - 1200 (so Jered and I were boogying trying to get ready a half hour earlier today); but in the end our motto is "nuestra casa, su casa", so people are welcome anytime they arrive! So excited to hear about your interest and can't wait to meet you! Call or email anytime with questions or to schedule a visit! See you on the 16th and hope you feel better! Danielle

Billy

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 2:17 p.m.

I really like the co-op aspect of this. Let me say that again....I REALLY like the co-op aspect of this. By having parents assist you for a bit each day, they get to watch and learn from you. My child will be turning 4 this summer and we live off of Dexter so we're right around the corner from you. This sounds VERY intriguing to the wife and I. I would have loved to check out the open house today but I'm currently down with some food poisoning so we're planning on checking you out on the 16th. Just wanted to note though, on your website it says the open house on the 16th starts at 10:30. Either way I'm looking forward to your open house.

Danielle Cassetta

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.

Hello Everyone, Danielle Cassetta here! The article is wonderful but there is one part which I want to clear up. Little Lake Learning Community, which is very akin to our philosophy, offers this kind of learning approach for school-aged children, and is highly recommended by Acorn Glen as an alternative education model for families in the area... Thanks for the comments!

Morris

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 12:16 p.m.

Too bad ALL preschoolers don't get this kind of attention. The country would be much better off, if children were allowed to and assisted in developing at their own speed and in their own ways.

Jane Heibel

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 : 12:07 p.m.

This sounds wonderful!