Our mission
The SJICC supports families in the upbringing of emotionally resilient babies and toddlers through a cooperatively run childcare environment built around child-led play and parenting education.
About the SJICC
The San Juan Island Childcare Cooperative (SJICC) partners with the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center and Skagit Valley College to offer affordable childcare and parenting education to families on San Juan Island. We offer care for children between three months and three years of age. The SJICC’s goal is to create a nurturing community within our classroom where children grow and thrive; and where parents learn from experts and one another how to confidently navigate the baby-and-toddler years.
Co-op parents/caregivers are integrated into care provision and classroom management, building early childhood skills as they participate. One caregiver from each enrolled family must participate in the classroom one half-day session (4 hours) per week. The children attend class without their caregiver the remaining days that class is held. Once a month, parents attend an educational parent meeting as a part of a Skagit Valley College course in early childhood education, resulting in college credit. (See ‘Parent Expectations’ for more details)
SJICC offers caregivers hands-on experience and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the education of their own child and others in the community. In the process, they build relationships with other families with young children who may be part of their child’s life for many years.
Our ratio of children to adults in the Toddler Class is 3:1, and in the Infant Class, 2:1.
SJICC is a license exempt childcare center. It is located in the Town of Friday Harbor.
Program schedule beginning January 2025
Toddler Class takes place mornings, Monday through Friday. Toddlers are approximately eighteen months to three years old.
Infant Class also takes place mornings, Monday through Thursday. Infants are three months to approximately eighteen months old, depending on individual readiness to graduate to Toddler Class.
| Toddler Class | Infant Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30am-12:30pm | 8:30am-12:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am-12:30pm | 8:30am-12:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am-12:30pm | 8:30am-12:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am-12:30pm | 8:30am-12:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am-12:30pm | – |
Program costs
Tuition
- Infant class (3-18 months): $750 per month
- Toddler class (18 months – 3 years): $600 per month
Financial aid
The SJICC offers a tuition assistance program. Financial assistance comes from a broad base of community support including the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center, Skagit Valley College, and many group and individual contributors. Any family that needs a reduced tuition for their child to attend the SJICC is urged to apply. All families are offered a financial assistance application with their initial application packet. All award decisions are confidential and approved by the Family Resource Center.
Classroom philosophy
SJICC aims to provide a rich and exciting learning environment for babies and toddlers in which they are supported to learn social-emotional skills while enjoying play. Curriculum includes a balance of structured activities, child-led play, circle time, snacks, and outdoor exploration every day.
Our classroom management approach draws heavily on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, which is an evidence-based practice that fosters well-being and confidence in young children. Parents are coached in positive, supportive approaches to behavior management with their own children and their classmates.
Our facilities
Our facilities are equipped to provide a safe, stimulating environment to babies and toddlers. The secure outdoor play area features a playhouse, a swing set, slides, and other assorted play structures. The indoor area features a dining area, separate bathrooms for adults and children, a reading nook, a playhouse with a play kitchen, as well as a rotating roster of developmentally-appropriate toys, games, and activities. The space also features a separate classroom for quiet/nap times.
The classroom space doubles as a meeting space for our monthly parent education classes and board meetings.
SJICC eligibility and expectations
Child eligibility
Children must be three years old or younger at the time of enrollment. If a child turns four after September 1, they may enroll in the September term and remain in the toddler class until the end of the Skagit Valley College term (December 31) but will not be eligible to enroll in the toddler class that commences in January of the following year.
Parent responsibilities
The SJICC is a member-run organization where families work together to build the childcare program we want to see for our own children and for the community. Every enrolled family contributes to co-op decision making and performs a “parent job” supporting the operation of the co-op in roles including Safety Officer, Cleaning Coordinator, or Class Coordinator. The co-op is overseen by an Advisory Board composed of elected parents/caregivers and appointed community leaders. This co-operative model of member involvement helps us keep tuition costs low.
Parents and guardians enrolling in the co-op commit to the following:
- Serve as classroom assistant one half-day shift per week (four hours per week)
- Attend monthly parent meetings (two hours per month)
- Hold a Parent Job such as Health Officer or Class Coordinator and execute all related tasks and duties (around four hours per month)
- Adhere to SJICC’s health and safety guidelines
- Participate in one-off fundraising, deep-cleaning, organization, or other projects as they arise in a co-operative fashion
- Occasionally volunteer to assist with special projects, covering absent parent shifts, and fundraising activities
SJICC is an inclusive organization
Bilingual staff
We welcome families whose first language is not English. Our teaching staff is bilingual in English and Spanish and welcome the opportunity to interact with children according to their needs.
Statement of non-discrimination
The San Juan Island Childcare Cooperative embraces inclusiveness, diversity, and equal opportunity as core values and does not discriminate in either its enrollment or employment practices based on race, color, disability, age, gender, political beliefs, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital or family status.
The San Juan Island Childcare Cooperative is a secular organization. We strive to provide an environment that respects each family’s culture and beliefs and is comfortable for all.
Our staff
How to apply
- Interested families should contact the SJICC Director by emailing abbyh@jlsfrc.org or using the application form. The Secretary will collect information such as the contact details of family members and the age of the child to be enrolled. Most families will be placed on a waitlist until space is open in the class appropriate to their child’s age; in some cases, space is available immediately.
- When space becomes available, the Secretary will reach out to the family to arrange an initial interview which gives them the opportunity to learn more about co-op membership and gives the Lead Teacher the opportunity to meet the child(ren) being considered for enrollment. A co-op Advisory Board member is also present for this meeting.
- In the days following the initial interview, if both parties agree that the co-op seems like the right fit for the family, an application packet will be provided by the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center. Families have a maximum of two weeks from the date of the initial interview to complete and submit their completed application packet, the application fee and one month’s tuition. Once all submissions are received and approved by the Family Resource Center, the family’s place is secured.
- Final steps for the family are an administrative onboarding meeting for the parents during which key policies and protocols are introduced, along with the Brightwheel app; and a classroom orientation during which the child and one or both parents/guardians has the opportunity to visit the classroom space outside of class hours. The family is now ready to start regular sessions.
Volunteer your time to the SJICC
Not a parent/caregiver, but want to be part of the SJICC’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality childcare to working families on San Juan Island? We welcome volunteers to work with us in the classroom! This is a joyful and uplifting way to serve the community (as well as one that keeps you on your toes!).
The SJICC maintains a roster of volunteers 18 years and older who are able to cover staff absences during classroom sessions and keep the co-op open. These volunteers are contacted on a rotating basis by a co-op member when the need arises – ideally, these arrangements are made a few days ahead of time, but it sometimes happens that volunteers are contacted at short notice with a request to cover a shift. Volunteers may opt out of any shift that won’t work with their schedule.
Volunteers can specify their general availability (mornings/afternoons, days of the week, months of the year) and their preference for working with infants vs. toddlers. Volunteers are never expected to cover shifts on their own and will always be working alongside experienced staff members. Those interested should contact the SJICC Advisory Board President at president@sjicc.org. All volunteers are invited to a short interview and must pass a background check.
Donate to support the SJICC
Families with young children ages 0-3 have been underserved on San Juan Island, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some working families have struggled to make ends meet while providing adequate care for their young children. The SJICC helps to fill this gap by providing high-quality, affordable care to its members and a fair wage and benefits to its teachers. Our favorable ratio of staff to children and commitment to keeping tuition low means we must rely on community donors to keep the program running.
Donating to the SJICC means directly improving the quality of life for the island’s youngest inhabitants. Without generous financial support from our community, our program never would have left the ground. After significant work on the part of our founding parents with support from the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center and Skagit Valley College, we are a vibrant, functional childcare cooperative. Please consider helping our community continue to thrive. To donate, please email Stephanie Coffey at the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center: stephaniec@jlsfrc.org.
