History of Irvington Cooperative Preschool
Irvington Cooperative Preschool opened as Westminister Cooperative Preschool in September 1955 in the Irvington neighborhood’s Westminister Presbyterian Church. The preschool described itself as a democratic organization with bylaws, elected officers, and appointed committee members open to ”families of all races, nationalities and creeds.” In 1956, it was granted status as a nonprofit organization. In 1985, the preschool changed its name to Irvington Preschool (not officially changed with the State of Oregon until 2003), and in 1987 the preschool moved to its current location in the Augustana Lutheran Church.

In the early days, the preschool required both parents to serve on committees but asked only mothers to serve as parent helpers. The preschool offered parent education classes and conferences in the association with the Parent Child Preschools of Oregon and in an October 1968 pamphlet showed keen insight into the nature of at-home parenting: “the time your child is away from home provides a necessary period of relaxation for you.” Registration was limited to three and four year olds, and the school calendar was similar to today’s schedule. The preschool employed a teacher who determined the curriculum, which focused on play, social development, and the respect of others. The preschool offered music, storytelling, dramatic play, science projects and an outdoor space for gross motor skills development.

Since 1955, hundreds of families have participated in the program, but the philosophy of the school is the same after all these years: to provide a stimulating and creative learning environment that encourages the development of each child’s positive self image and social skills through both structured and unstructured play experiences in the areas of art, music, science, physical education, dramatic play and reading and math readiness.