San Marcos Parent Child Workshop

The San Marcos Parent-Child workshop (SMPCW) is a non-profit 501(c)3, licensed, cooperative preschool and parent education class. The lecture/lab instructor is provided by the Continuing Education division of Santa Barbara City College.

San Marcos Parent-Child Workshop opened on the San Marcos High School campus in 1959 and relocated to the Grace Gathering campus in 2016.

It is operated by caregivers under the supervision of a Director and Assistant Director educated in Early Childhood Education and Parent Education. Caregivers enrolled in the co-operative morning program participate actively one morning a week in the preschool setting. Caregivers also attend a weekly evening parent education class at the school, where a variety of parenting issues are discussed and speakers from the community share their expertise. Our program is an extension of the SBCC School of Extended Learning. These classes are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Learn more about the parent curriculum here.

Children between the ages of 2.5 - 5 years are introduced to a quality preschool experience, using developmentally appropriate practices. The nurturing, loving environment makes an ideal first school experience for your child and brings out the best in you as a parent. We practice gentle separation for both parent and child and promote non-violent conflict resolution. We provide a natural classroom setting with a wholesome, organic snack.

The afternoon play-based care program offers the cooperative parent as well as all community families an opportunity for all-day child care in an enriching, safe, and stimulating environment.

Day-to-day operations are the responsibility of the members. All preschool families are required to participate actively within the co-op administering day-to-day operations through work on school Committees. Members may choose to participate in the way that best suits their talents.

The management of the school is the responsibility of a Board of Directors, elected from the caregivers of the school.

We are very proud of our long history spanning over 60 years serving the families of Goleta and Santa Barbara.

What People are saying about SMPCW

“Delighted with how my kids WANT to go to school and are recieved with so much warmth, as if part of the family, from both the teachers and other parents.”

— Chail Norton
“Children busy and delighted in outdoor exploration... shadow tag, rope climbing, bug identification, hammering nails into wood. Enter inside and hear youth conversations over a nest display, stacking tall towers, and writing practice at tables with paperpads. It’s a special place for learning and living, both for big and small.”

— Sarah Avila-Battle
“Loved, loved, loved SMPCW - was fantastic for our daughters and for us as parents. So much richer an expereince than paying and dropping off.”

— Paula Cassin

Areas of Exploration

Indoor Experiences

Block area

Dramatic role-playing and housekeeping

Books, games and puzzles

Manipulative toys

Writing

Cooking

Science

Crafts and art activities

Outdoor Experiences

Zip-line

Space to build, run, explore
Crafts and art activities
Woodworking
Animal Care

Sandbox
Water play
Climbing structure
Bikes, trikes and scooters
Large blocks, ladders, planks

Cooperative Group Time

This part of the day is our closure for the children. It develops community and offers a wonderful time for observation of children in a group. Children have the opportunity to learn new songs, explore curriculum concepts a little more closely and build on pre-k skills.

Extra Curriculars

Throughout the year we offer a variety of classes and experiences such as music classes from local artists and teachers, visits from dentists, fire fighters, tow trucks and more!

Parent Curriculum

Fall Course

Title: ECE NC 10: Child Development at the Parent-Child Workshop

Course Description:
Within the context of a cooperative preschool and parent education program, students will learn about typical social, emotional, physical, language, cognitive development of children aged two to five, healthy patterns of separation, importance of play, and strategies that support a strong foundation for future learning. Students will help create a healthy, safe, inclusive environment for children and observe and interact with children in the cooperative preschool lab.

Summer Course

Title: ECE NC 11: Child, Family, and Community at the Parent-Child Workshop

Course Description:
Within the context of a cooperative preschool and parent education program, students will develop a foundation for positive, reflective parenting. They will investigate the influence of temperament and family patterns and learn effective communication skills and strategies for conflict resolution as they create a framework of child guidance principles and practices that contribute to the optimum development of children. They will discover community resources, learn about kindergarten readiness, and develop strategies to support children’s ongoing education at home and at school. Additional topics will address parenting challenges such as: the influence of media and technology and helping children cope with family illness, and divorce.

Daily Schedule

Morning Schedule

8:30-8:45 – Workday caregivers arrive and help setup the morning.

8:45-9:00 – Children arrive and School begins. Children enter the program, greet their friends and teachers and choose from several activities to participate in. They move freely from outside to inside activities as their interests dictate.

10:00-10:30 – Snack

10:30-11:30 – Children play outside

11:30-11:40 – Clean-up

11:40-12:00 – Group time (3 groups)

12:00 – Cooperative Morning Program Ends - Caregivers arrive to pick up children. Final cleanup by workday caregivers and daily wrap-up discussion with Director. Afternoon Program children arrive and have lunch in the back yard.

12:00-12:30 - Workday caregivers to assist with cleanup (12:00-12:15) and attend the end of the morning meeting (12:15-12:30)

Extended Day Schedule

Morning program end at 12:00
12:00-12:30 – Lunch for afternoon program children and workday caregiver’s children. Children may engage in free play.
12:30-1:00 – Transition to inside quiet time
1:00-2:00 – Rest time and quiet time activities
2:00-2:30 – Snack time
2:30-3:30 – Children play inside or outside - Caregivers arrive to pick up children
Afternoon Program Ends.
The PM Program is based on the same play-based, exploratory learning model that the cooperative program is, but will be staffed by professional educators exclusively (no parental involvement required).

SMPCW Staff

Suzy Granziera

Program Director, Co-op Morning Instructor and SBCC Parent Education Instructor
Amanda Gilbert

Assistant Director, Co-op Morning Instructor, SBCC Parent Education Instructor
Krista Moore

Head Afternoon Care Teacher
Haiyan Wu

Afternoon Care Teacher