Albuquerque Pre-school Co-operative

Our Teachers

Yvette Asenap: Executive Director

Yvette Asenap holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working on her Bachelor Degree She has been at the Albuquerque Preschool Cooperative since 2005 (and before employment, she was a co-op parent.) She worked for Lovelace childcare for three years and PMS childcare for two years as a lead teacher. She was a stay at home mom for five years. Yvette is a proud mother of two girls with her husband Jon. Yvette enjoys cruising, horseback riding, reading and watching her talented girls perform in dance and theater which she is very involved with (helping to make costumes for their shows and hours and hours of rehearsals.) She loves to work with children as they give her such joy

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Katie Barley: Assistant Director/ Pre-k PM Teacher

I have lived in Albuquerque my whole life and have always wanted to be a teacher. I have a bachelor’s degree from UNM and did my early childhood education practicum at the Co-op in the spring of 2014. I started working as a teacher at the Co-op in August 2014. I love spending my time with children and watching them grow and learn. I spend my free time with my husband and daughter(who currently attends the Co-op.)

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Amador Minjares: 2/3yr Teacher

Amador Minjares holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Notre Dame.  He also completed a Master’s degree in Physical Anthropology from Texas A&M University.  His interest in early childhood education truly began during his last year of graduate school when he participated as an elementary school tutor at Neal Elementary School in Bryan, TX.  His one-on-one tutoring experiences with children from Kindergarten through fifth grade really sparked his interest in working more closely with children in a classroom setting.  Amador has spent the last school year as a substitute teacher for the Albuquerque Preschool Cooperative.  His two children have been attending the school since 2009, so he has been involved with the school as a parent and is familiar with the teaching philosophies and approaches of the school.  He is fluent and proficient in the Spanish language.  He is very excited to introduce the Spanish language in fun and innovative ways.  In his spare time, Amador loves to play tennis, hike in the mountains with his family, teach T-ball in the summertime, and watch as much college football (Go Irish!) as he can.

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Testimonials

Rating 5 out of 5 The teachers are excellent here and they make sure each child gets the attention they need. I cannot express enough how much my 2 daughters enjoyed their first experience going to APC and how much they wanted to go back. The teachers really do make a difference and it really shows from nurturing them during bouts of fit to teaching them social, practical and other skills throughout the day. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a great quality school. Parent 7 months ago Overall Experience

++Christina Amanda++ recommends Albuquerque Preschool Co-op. 6/06/2020

My 2 year old starts in august, hopefully and we’re very excited. The classroom settings are awesome. My son warmed up pretty fast to the place.

++Becca R.++++ ++Albuquerque, NM 10/4/2019

We just started our 3rd year at APSC, and we love it!  The foundation of this place is family involvement and that is what makes the Co-Op so special. I know my child’s friends and their parents well, and it’s just plain fun to be able to participate together in our children’s preschool education!  As a former preschool teacher, I really appreciate the love and creativity my daughter’s teachers put into their job.  Unlike classrooms that I have taught in that can feel crowded, the Co-Op preschool/pre-k classroom has a spacious feel, with an entire art room, dramatic play room, large group area, and a well stocked science area. The playground is huge, complete with nice playground equipment, seasonal garden areas, and a chicken coop.

Kate H. Academy Acres North, Albuquerque, NM 9/9/2019

As a preschool teacher myself, finding a place that felt safe and secure was a major concern for me. There’s a unique combination of diligence, affection, and compassion necessary to teach our tiniest, and this school has achieved it. The teacher:child ratio is low enough to allow for individual needs to be met, the environments consists of 5 star NAEYC accredited classrooms, with toys and materials that promote learning through play. The staff are both caring, and cared for and respected at the school, which is why they have such longevity and low turnover. My eldest went here and now exhibits a level of acceptance and empathy with friends in elementary school that has been commented on and complimented. My youngest will start this year, and it is the only place I would ever send her. I cannot sing the co-op’s praises enough.

Tweety A. LOS RNCHS ABQ, NM 9/8/2019

Albuquerque Pre-school is the best place that I had visited for my Grandson that I must say, they have the best interest of his academics, as well as his development in school. The staff there was very informational on my questions and concerns, and I feel this would be the best place to recommend and also for him to attend.

A P. San Francisco, CA 8/20/2019

I have sent both of my children to this school and we all have absolutely loved it! The learning environment is terrific, includes a little bit of Spanish language time, and the teachers have been amazing. The parent participation component creates a very close-knit community and provides a lot of opportunity for families to engage overall. As a parent-run school, the concerns of the families are first and foremost. I’d recommend this school to any family looking for play-based learning.

++Darcy H.++++ ++Albuquerque, NM 8/24/2019

We are beginning our 9th, and final year at the Albuquerque Preschool Co-op (3 kids, 3 years each). I couldn’t be happier with the choice we made 10years ago. The curriculum is play based, and age appropriate. There isn’t an artificial push toward academic proficiency, but rather a deeper focus on social-emotional development, problem solving, and curiosity. These are the skills young children need to be successful later in school (and life really). My two older children sailed seamlessly into kindergarten, confident and prepared. The preschool’s faculty met each of my children where they were, and helped bring out the best aspects of themselves, while also building them up where they struggled. For my shy, introverted daughter this involved giving her space and time to find her voice, listening to her needs and encouraging her to push past her comfort-zone. My extroverted, impulsive son needed a firmer hand for impulse control, activities to increase focus and cooperation, and a general delight in his energy. For my youngest (who has vision issues), the faculty worked alongside his occupational therapists and with his IEP to get him caught up to his peers. I would pick this preschool over and over again.

++Ashley K.++++ ++Albuquerque, NM 8/16/2019

I really love this school and I am so happy I found it last year. My kiddo is now in the Pre-K program and I know with the dedication and passion these teachers have, he’ll sail into kindergarten with ease. I love the parent involvement that the school has with their program. You get involved with their learning and help this little school at the same time. Can’t say enough about this program, they are simply the best!

++Mary H.++++ ++Albuquerque, NM 5/3/2019

My daughter attends this preschool, and we love the community environment and play-based learning. Every month new toys and books are set out for the kids to stay stimulated. The student:teacher ratio is low, which we love because each child gets a lot of attention. The school is run very efficiently, facilities are clean, and they’ve got a chicken coop in the back playground area. They emphasize spending a nice amount of time outdoors and are excellent about applying sunscreen. Plus they have weekly Spanish class! Educational, caring environment.

++Dwight H.++++ ++Pueblo, CO 4/26/2019

I have watched the operation of this preschool for over eight years now.  My three grandchildren all have attended, with my oldest now being in 5th grade and the youngest in his second year at the preschool. I have watched from a grandparent’s point of view and also from a college instructor’s position which I was for many years. The older of my grandchildren are at the top of their respective grades and entered school with a big head start on the majority of their classmates.  The co-op’s teachers are wonderful and caring educators (yes I said educators), they are not babysitters.  I feel that this educational environment prepares children to enter school as socially well adjusted kids.  The parents are required to work (thus the term co-op) occasionally based on their abilities and desires.  I would not hesitate to recommend this school to any parent who is looking for the best opportunity for their child.

++Lee R.++++ ++Albuquerque, NM 2/25/2019

I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the staff and teachers at this school. They prioritize parent involvement and make sure the kids have fun in a safe, wholesome environment, in my experience.

++Monika Myers++ 09/18/2018

I know that it can be challenging to sort through the many preschool options, so I want to provide as much information as I can to help other parents decide. I looked at dozens of preschools, in person and online, before choosing this program. I looked for three things when I was trying to find a preschool:

(1) Is it really a preschool or is it daycare? Answer: This program is definitely a preschool, not a daycare. There is a specific start and end time to the day with specific activities at different times. It is not a drop in/drop out center. I like this. I am not looking for a babysitter, I am looking for a real chance for my kids to grow.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2) Do the teachers seem like they enjoy their jobs?  Are they present?  Answer: Of all the schools I have toured, this one had the most engaged teachers.  I have continued to volunteer a few times a month for over a year and I have now had multiple more opportunities to observe the teachers.  They sit on the ground and play with the kids.  I have never heard a teacher raise his or her voice.  The teachers seem to like their jobs.  At many other schools, teachers seemed sort of dazed and bored.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

(3) Does it use a play-based curriculum (which I believe is better for young kids) or does it push academics? Answer: this program uses a play-based curriculum. Children have multiple different stations that they can choose from throughout free play time (science, art, manipulatives, blocks, dress up, etc.). Each of these areas has enough space for many kids to comfortably play without crowding each other. Notably, art is always available–kids can paint pictures or do crafts anytime. These stations change monthly. I know that many preschools have stations, but I just didn’t see the variety of activities at other schools I toured and visited. I also didn’t see much emphasis on art. My kids come home almost everyday with some kind of art project that they have created.

The last thing I really like about this school is that there are always two to three parents volunteering at any time. This means that (1) teachers are always held accountable to the highest standards because they are always being observed and (2) kids get exposure to a caring community of other adults. Each parent brings their own personality to volunteering and my kids benefit from having this variety, even while their main teacher stays the same.

There is nothing like this school. It is a genuine preschool (not a daycare), the teachers are engaged and happy, the kids have enough room and space to explore a variety of activities, art is emphasized and valued, and parents are always present. I highly recommend this program.

++Jennifer Boyd++++ ++ 09/11/2015

I went for a visit in January of last year and liked it so much that I opted to pull my child out of his then preschool. The teachers are amazing. The administrative staff is very responsive. My child went from having a really tough time to thriving. I know have my two boys enrolled and I couldn’t be happier.

++Julie Kimble++++ ++ 05/15/2015

Awesome school. My son is wrapping up his last year here and has benefited so much from the curriculum even going just twice a week. My daughter will also be attending..

++Paulina Aguilera-Eaton++++ ++ 08/30/2012

Both my daughters attended 3 years at the Albuquerque Preschool Coop and I feel that my entire family benefited from those years. My oldest was an ornery rascal when I brought her in, and after a few months with Ms Yvette and Ms Brenda’s loving yet firm coaching and structure, she started to evolve into the delightful child she is now. My children were encouraged to explore and care for their environment and they learned how to be good friends. As a parent, I learned a great deal about early childhood development by talking to teachers and by working in the classrooms on aide days. I feel like my experience as a mother was deeply enriched by the Cooperative. For those who doubt the benefit of play based learning, let it be known that both my daughters started kindergarten at the top of their class in terms of social adjustment and reading skills. I am frankly surprised by the negative reviews. All parents do have to volunteer time - that’s what makes it a cooperative, and it’s also what makes it a great community - but in my experience, staff made every effort to find out parents’ strengths and use those to benefit the school. The school facility is a sweet, well cared for, intimate family space that both my children absolutely loved. They still ask to go back and visit their teachers and I will always cherish my memories there.

++Lexi Petronis++++ ++06/07/2014

I cannot say enough about how wonderful the Albuquerque Preschool Coop is; the staff and teachers have truly become part of our extended family. They are warm and caring and always completely invested in the wellbeing of our children. Their knowledge about child development top-notch and up-to-date. As my kids learned through play, I watched them blossom under the teachers’ care in ways that were both personal (consideration, communication, cooperation) and topical (science, reading, Spanish, the environment, animals). Families are actively involved in all aspects of the school, which makes for a fun, vibrant community atmosphere–we’ve made many friends that we will have for the rest of our lives. How do I know? Because I also went to school at the Albuquerque Preschool Coop! The school will always have an important place in the heart of our family.

++Carrie Rodriguez++++ ++8 years ago

We would like to say Thank You to the teachers/staff at the Albuquerque Preschool Cooperative for their dedication, commitment, and professionalism to our youngest students and families!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 As a family, with 3 young daughters (our youngest continues to attend), APSC has been, hands down, the best introduction to education we could have ever asked for.  As a "cooperative," we, the parents, are obligated to PARTICIPATE in running this wonderful preschool.  We are required to attend maintenance days (twice a year) and participate in the classroom, monthly (this includes interacting with the kids, providing snacks, cleaning, etc).  As full-time working parents, the school has been very flexible in working with our schedules, so that we can fulfull this participation day.  We are thankful that during this time, we are able to experience what our child is doing on a day-to-day basis.  The staff are extremely knowledgeable and inform all parents of upcoming events/activities via email, handouts and notices on the bulletin boards.  There is a volunteer list of parents willing to substitute on participation days, in the event of a cancellation.

As for our oldest daughters, who are now in a “mainstream” educational setting, APSC has paved a solid beginning foundation for them and because of this, they will thrive in their future academic years! WE LOVE the ABQ PRESCHOOL COOP!!!

We strongly recommend this high quality preschool program!!! Having 3 daughters, who have all attended, we have 7-years of experience to back it up! :)

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Carolyn Hammack 05/13/2012 Provided by Citysearch - 

Overall I love APSC!

APSC has a wonderful, involved community of parents, teachers and staff. It is a fun, welcoming environment. We sent both of our children to APSC where they got a creative, age-appropriate start to their school years. I highly recommend APSC!

Philosophy

Our child-centered philosophy believes each child is a unique individual. Our school follows the Creative Curriculum, providing a caring, respectful, supportive, enriching, and inclusive environment. We plan and implement a wide variety of developmentally appropriate learning experiences to enhance your child’s physical, motor, language, literacy, social, emotional, and creative development. We work daily to maintain an environmentally aware program, striving for diversity in families, the learning environment, and activities offered. Our philosophy emphasizes that children grow and learn best in an unhurried, non-stressful environment where peers, teachers, and family all play an important role.

Location

Albuquerque Pre-school Co-operative is located off of Candelaria Rd NW, in the city of Albuquerque.

About our program

Albuquerque Preschool Cooperative is Albuquerque’s first parent-involved cooperative preschool. Founded in 1965, we have been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1995. We hold a five-star license from the State of New Mexico.

At our school, families play a unique and important role. Family members serve on various committees, comprise the Board of Directors, and assist in their children’s classroom on a regular basis. We offer parents a resource library and child lending library.

Family Participation Requirements

When you enroll your child at APSC, your family commits to the following expectations:

1.  Attend a mandatory orientation session at the beginning of the school year.
2. Participate in your child’s classroom a specific number of sessions per month, dependent on your child’s schedule.  One-half day equals one session.  The participation requirements are as follows:

•    If your child attends 1-3 sessions per week, you participate 1 session per month.
•    If your child attends 1-6 sessions per week, you participate 2 sessions per month.
•    If your child attends 1-10 sessions per week, you participate 3 sessions per month.

3. Attend two scheduled maintenance days. 4. Serve on one parent committee, or on the Board of Directors.

Admissions

Join the Albuquerque Pre-school Co-operative community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Tour our program

Come see what makes Albuquerque Pre-school Co-operative unique. If we are currently hosting tours, you can request or schedule a tour at the top of this page. If we are not currently hosting tours, you’ll see a “Request Info” button at the top of this page; if you submit your information using this button, we will notify you when we start host tours again in the future.

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application at www.wonderschool.com/albuquerque-pre-school-co-operative-7530/apply – note that we require tours for all prospective families. Please do not submit an application if you have not visited the program.

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation you’ll pay your enrollment fee, fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.