Business Details
Parent Participation Preschool Programs in Newport Beach
At Sunshine Cooperative Preschool, we believe that a child's educational journey begins with family involvement. Our philosophy centers on extending the nurturing home environment into the classroom, creating a warm, collaborative community where lifelong learning is modeled and celebrated. With a curriculum built on balanced, engaging themes, we address diverse learning styles through social, physical, intellectual, and emotional opportunities. Our cooperative model integrates parents as active participants, ensuring small learning units and personalized support guided by experienced educators. We cherish each child's uniqueness, fostering self-esteem, social-emotional development, and a love for learning.Our teachers, many of whom are former parents at Sunshine, bring decades of expertise in early childhood education, including Montessori and Reggio-Emilia methodologies. By aligning with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District's holiday schedule, we simplify family planning. As a long-standing member of the Orange County Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools, we uphold a legacy of excellence. Our programs emphasize kindergarten readiness through themed learning, music, science, and outdoor play, all within a safe, supportive environment. We are committed to building a community where children thrive academically and socially, guided by values of kindness, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Services
2-Day Preschool Program
3-Day Preschool Program
School House Program
Parent Participation Classes
Monthly Field Trips
Highlights and features
- We integrate parents as active partners in early childhood education.
- Our 4-to-1 child-to-adult ratio ensures personalized attention and safety.
- Teachers hold expertise in Montessori, Reggio-Emilia, and cooperative methodologies.
- Themed curriculum balances academic readiness with creative exploration.
- Community-driven environment prioritizes kindness, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Associations and certifications
- Orange County Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools
What people say
Loving teachers
Amazing experience
Special community
Great parent community
Teachers know their craft
Services
2-Day Preschool Program
Our 2-Day Preschool Program (Tuesday/Thursday, 9am-12pm) serves children aged 3+ with a 4-to-1 child-to-adult ratio. The curriculum blends themed learning, music, and outdoor play to build social-emotional skills and kindergarten readiness. Parents participate actively in classroom activities.
3-Day Preschool Program
The 3-Day Preschool Program (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, 10:30am-1:30pm) offers structured academics and creative play for children aged 4+. Parents contribute to lesson planning while children develop independence, cooperation, and pre-literacy skills through hands-on activities and field trips.
School House Program
Designed for ages 6-12, the School House Program provides 16 hours of weekly instruction (Monday-Thursday). It combines core academics with enrichment activities like science experiments and dramatic play. Parents collaborate with teachers to reinforce learning at home.
Monthly Field Trips
Monthly field trips extend classroom learning to real-world experiences. Activities align with thematic units, promoting curiosity and social development. Parents chaperone trips to locations like museums, parks, and cultural centers in the Newport-Mesa area.
Parent Participation Classes
Parent participation classes teach caregivers to support child development through play-based learning. Topics include early literacy, conflict resolution, and creating home learning environments. Parents earn classroom hours while gaining practical educational strategies.
People
Portia Fischer
Director & 3-Day Teacher
With 25+ years in early childhood education, Portia holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Irvine. She has led Sunshine since 2009, blending public school and cooperative preschool expertise to create a nurturing, academically rich environment for children and families.
Crystal Delle
2-Day Teacher
Crystal brings Montessori certification and dual degrees in Human Development and Psychology to Sunshine. A parent and teacher at Sunshine since 2015, she emphasizes safety, kindness, and structured play in her classroom.
Jenny Novakoff
Preschool Aide
Jenny joined Sunshine in 2023 as a preschool aide after her daughter enrolled. A youth soccer coach and former parent, she contributes warmth and energy to classroom activities while supporting social-emotional learning.
Grace Fischer
School House Assistant
Grace, a former Sunshine student, assists in the School House program. With a degree in Recreation and Tourism, she specializes in literacy and kindergarten readiness, guiding children through structured academic and play-based activities.
Claire Wilburn
School House Assistant
Claire has supported Sunshine for a decade as both parent and assistant. She models nurturing care in the School House program, fostering peer relationships and providing individualized support for children aged 6-12.
Questions
What preschool programs do you offer?
We offer 2-day, 3-day, and School House programs for children aged 3-12 with structured academics, themed learning, and parent participation.
How does parent involvement work?
Parents contribute classroom hours, assist with lesson planning, and participate in cooperative workshops to support their child's learning experience.
What is your child-to-adult ratio?
All programs maintain a 4-to-1 child-to-adult ratio, ensuring personalized attention and safety for every child.
Do you follow local school holidays?
Yes, our calendar aligns with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District's holiday schedule for family convenience.
What curriculum do you use?
Our curriculum combines themed monthly learning, music, science, and outdoor play to develop social-emotional skills and kindergarten readiness.
Are meals provided?
Children bring healthy snacks daily; parents coordinate seasonal potlucks and special event meals as part of the cooperative experience.
