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Live
$3,801 raised by 22 donors
38% complete
$10,000 Goal
Denver Cooperative Preschool relies on support from our community to stay strong and sustainable, especially this year as we grow into our new home. After more than 50 years in our old building, we made a huge move and are now expanding to welcome even more families. We did not grow to be bigger or more impressive. We grew because the need for high-quality, independent, play-based early childhood education keeps rising. Donations help us make this growth stable and accessible for everyone. Moving and expanding was a huge leap, and your support helps us grow into the new space, support our educators, and make sure every family can fully experience what makes this community special.
A big part of that work is scholarships and tuition assistance. Every year, roughly 18 to 25 percent of our families receive support, and we have been able to meet those needs for the past eight years. Keeping DCP accessible to as many families as possible remains one of our top priorities, especially as our community grows.
We also want every family to be able to fully participate in the life of a cooperative school, without worrying about extra costs. That includes things like our community picnic, Sunflower Farm outing, movie matinee, in-house field trips, Fall Festival, and reimbursing committee-related expenses. These are the moments that make DCP feel like a real community, and cost should not get in the way of that.
Another major priority is our educators. Fair and competitive pay is what allows us to keep incredible teachers, reduce turnover, and maintain the consistency and quality that make DCP feel like home. As we grow, supporting our team matters more than ever.
And finally, if the past few years taught us anything, it is that we have to be able to adapt quickly. Having flexible and accessible funds makes it possible for DCP to evolve with the needs of our families and stay steady through unpredictable years.
All donations made through Colorado Gives Day go directly toward these priorities. Your support strengthens our growth, our community, our teachers, and the long-term sustainability of Denver Cooperative Preschool.
I knew I wanted to send my children to DCP before I even had them! Years ago I had the pleasure of nannying for two children who attended DCP. I witnessed their joy and excitement on school days and watched their love for learning flourish. And let's not forget the adorable art projects that they brought home!
My daughter is now in her second year at DCP and is thriving. I was slightly (just slightly!) worried about leaving her the first day- it was the first time she had been left with someone other than a family member! She took to her teachers and classroom instantly. She simply loves going to school! The environment that DCP provides for the kiddos- from the teachers to toys to activities to other students is beyond wonderful. It can be summed up in one word: magic. - Hadley
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Hi, I'm Emilee. My brother Tyler went to DCP and loved it. My mommy and daddy made friends with the community and teachers just like Tyler did. When it was my turn to come, my mommy was sick and we needed help so I could have a great first start in school like Tyler did. Because of kind people like you, my family received a scholarship and I got to find out why my brother, mommy, and daddy love DCP.
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Receiving a scholarship from DCP has helped our family in many ways. Our son, who is an only child, has gained social emotional skills that have helped him to express himself more effectively to relate with children and adults in more positive ways. At home we primarily speak Spanish, so learning English at DCP is giving our son the chance to be a dual language learner from a young age. DCP has provided countless positive models for behavior and learning for our son and ourselves.
Being invited into the community on our parent helper days has given us new insights and ideas as to how we can help our son. Thanks to this scholarship we've been able to enjoy all the benefits DCP has to offer. It has been very fulfilling to participate in the community and not only learn with our child but be able to help and give back to other families by participating in the cooperative model. Our son absolutely loves coming to school and
we are thankful for the scholarship that has allowed us this invaluable opportunity.
- Heffron Family
Denver Cooperative Preschool envisions an active society where children and adults join in the exploration of life, the quest for understanding and the journey to wisdom. We believe:
-A child’s early experience is the foundation for adult potential
-Parents are a key to a child’s unique development
-Play is essential in the learning process of a child
Our mission is to guide young children on the adventure of self-discovery through play.
The Denver Cooperative Preschool (DCP) is a play-based, parent cooperative preschool. The joy, instinctive sense of wonder, and delight that play brings validates it as the most central, natural and important aspect of childhood. Operating under a play-based philosophy is simply accepting that children naturally engage in and enjoy play as a means of learning on their terms and at their own pace. Our job as educators and parents is to provide a safe, nurturing environment with developmentally appropriate activities and opportunities for children to creatively explore and learn through play.
History Past & Present
Denver Cooperative Preschool has a long and interesting history. We were founded in 1960 by a group of parents from the discontinued Colorado Women’s College Nursery School. The head teacher of that school, Mrs. Kim Randolph, helped us to get started in a space at Montview Presbyterian Church. By 1962, the preschool had grown and a group of parents from south Denver branched off to establish the University Park Cooperative Nursery School near Denver University. In 1964 the preschool split again: Montview Community Preschool remained at the church and our preschool moved to 8th and Cherry. It was then named the Medical Center Cooperative Nursery School. The name “Denver Cooperative Preschool” was adopted in 1966.
We moved to 480 Marion Street in 1983, where we remained until the summer of 2025. In June, 2025, Denver Cooperative Preschool found a new home in Denver at 3507 Ringsby Court. This new space has allowed us to grow our capacity, serving more children and families! As we celebrate over 65 years of excellence in early childhood education in Denver, we are reminded of and thankful for the families who began DCP.
Organization name
Denver Cooperative Preschool
other names
DCP
1960
Tax id (EIN)
84-0535656
Category
Education
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
3507 Ringsby Ct #101, DenverDenver County, CO, US