FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHICKPEAS
What's special about Chickpeas?
Where can I get more information about the educational program and philosophy?
How long is the school year?
What do parents have to do?
What are the different types of jobs that parents do?
Do parents have to be available during the school day to do their jobs?
About how much time does each job take?
How are jobs handled by families in which the parents live in more than one household?
Does Chickpeas offer "buy-out" options for families who wish to pay higher tuition instead of taking on a job?
Who makes the rules at Chickpeas?
Who are the paid staff at Chickpeas?
Do the teachers have training in CPR and first aid?
What are the scheduling options?
Can my child join in on field trips and other special activities even if s/he is not scheduled to attend on a particular day?
How does the after school program work?
How does the buy/sell system work?
When do parents pay tuition?
Does my child have to be toilet-trained?
Are children served food at Chickpeas?
How does Chickpeas handle food allergies?
Does Chickpeas accommodate special needs children?
Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend Chickpeas?
Are there any exemptions to the immunization requirements?
How does the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) system work?
Is the UPK a separate program?
What’s special about Chickpeas?
Chickpeas is a parent-run cooperative preschool, in which parents perform administrative and other tasks and teachers fulfill educational responsibilities. We like to think that a range of children and families can feel welcome here. Our emphasis on learning through play, social development, and creativity allows children to develop at their own pace within a supportive setting. The children are all part of one inter-aged group.
Where can I get more information about the educational program and philosophy?
Information is available at: www.chickpeas.org, as well as on the current brochure. An important way to learn about Chickpeas is through a tour, which takes place during the school day.
How long is the school year?
Our school year runs for eleven months, from September through the end of July. In general, Chickpeas has fewer days off than the public schools. A school year calendar can be viewed on our website. In recent years, families have had the option to sell their days in July to other members of the Chickpeas community, including alumni families.
What do parents have to do?
Each family is required to work one job. In addition, one parent per family must attend a meeting one evening per month. Parents also participate in Fundraising and Recruitment events, as well as occasional clean-up activities.
What are the different types of jobs that parents do?
The jobs range from various administrative tasks, to maintaining the physical facility, to teaching Movement or Music. The Executive Committee is comprised of two Co-Coordinators, three Treasurers, a Secretary, a UPK Coordinator, a Teacher Liaison, a Health Department Liaison and a Grants Writer. Other jobs include Fundraising, Indoor/Outdoor Coordinators, Alumni Communications Coordinator, Recruitment, purchasing Snacks, purchasing Supplies and serving as Trip Coordinator.
Do parents have to be available during the school day to do their jobs?
No. The only jobs that require availability during the school day are teaching Music (one hour per week), teaching Movement (one hour per week), and Trip Coordinator (approximately one morning per month, to accompany the group on trips).
About how much time does each job take?
Some jobs have a regular flow, while others are more seasonal. Families who buy Snacks, for example, do so on a regular basis. The Recruitment job, in contrast, has a busy period in the winter, but requires less time in the fall. The Co-Coordinators are responsible for monitoring how the jobs are going, and can adjust requirements or get more help as needed. So it’s difficult to say exactly how much time each job requires—and being a Chickpeas parent does require putting time aside to work. But there are safeguards in place to ensure that no job gets too overwhelming.
How are jobs handled by families in which the parents live in more than one household?
Chickpeas requires one job per family, regardless of living arrangements or family composition. In families with more than one parent, the family can decide how to approach jobs—whether one parent per family will take full responsibility, or if work roles will be shared among two parents, etc.
Does Chickpeas offer “buy-out” options for families who wish to pay higher tuition instead of taking on a job?
No, at this time all families are required to take on jobs, with no “buy-out” options available.
Who makes the rules at Chickpeas?
In general, administrative decisions are made by the parents, often after consultation with the teachers when relevant. The director/head teacher is generally responsible for educational decisions. An open system of communication among parents and teachers allows for a useful exchange of ideas. The parents are considered the Board of Directors. We follow a set of By-Laws and policies that are documented in our Parent Handbook. Parents vote on new policies and procedures as situations arise. Parents are also involved in hiring of new staff, as needed.
Who are the paid staff at Chickpeas?
The paid staff consists of a Head Teacher, a Teacher, and an Assistant Teacher. In addition, an After School Assistant works five afternoons per week, from 3:00 until 6:00 pm. Substitute teachers are available in the event of teacher absences.
Carolyn Lyons is our Head Teacher. She joined Chickpeas in 2002. She holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and an M.S. Ed. degree in School Counseling from Hunter College. Before joining the Chickpeas staff, she worked as a tutor and summer school teacher for the the Bell Foundation in Harlem. After completing her Master's degree, Carolyn worked in the counseling departments of P.S. 506 and P.S. 120 in Brooklyn. She later went on to be a Child and Family Therapist at Joseph J. Peters Institute in Philadelphia. Carolyn has over 10 years of experience working with children in both educational and therapeutic settings.
Sidoney Daley joined Chickpeas in 2011. Before joining the Chickpeas staff, Sidoney was a paraprofessional in an inclusion setting and extended-day teacher for Brookline Public Schools in Massachusetts. She has also taught in the NYC public school system as a substitute teacher. Sidoney holds a B.A. degree in Philosophy from Barry University in Florida and a M. Ed. degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts.
Yliana Gonzales has been a full-time Assistant Teacher at Chickpeas for over 10 years, having begun here as a substitute teacher. Yliana’s Peruvian background comes alive at Chickpeas through her teaching of Spanish. She has babysat for many Chickpeas over the years.
Margo Gregory is our After School Assistant. She was born and raised in New York City and is a graduate from St. Ann's school in Brooklyn Heights. She has an undergraduate degree from Vassar College in Africana Studies and has continued her education in graduate school at Hunter College in Early Childhood Education. Margo has been working at Chickpeas since February 2010.
Do the teachers have training in CPR and first aid?
Two full-time teachers are certified in CPR. Carolyn is CPR and first aid certified.
What are the scheduling options?
Children may attend three, four or five days per week. Parents may designate their scheduling preferences on the application. Children who turn four by December 31 are eligible for our Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program, which requires full-time enrollment of five days per week.
Can my child join in on field trips and other special activities even if s/he is not scheduled to attend on a particular day?
Yes. Children may attend field trips, Music class, Movement class and other special activities on any day, even if they are not scheduled to be at Chickpeas on that day.
How does the after school program work?
It’s flexible. Parents can decide on a pick-up time for their child on any given day. Children can be picked up at 3:00 pm, or may stay until any time between 3:15 pm and 6:00 pm, for an additional charge. This year, the cost of the after school program is $7.00 an hour, based on actual usage. Families may use the after school program as often as needed.
How does the buy/sell system work?
Families may buy and sell days within the Chickpeas community. If a family wishes for their child to attend an extra day on a given week, for example, they may request to buy that day from another family who may be selling it. Conversely, if a family knows that their child will not be able to attend on a particular day, they can offer to sell the day to an interested family.
When do parents pay tuition?
Parents pay tuition in monthly installments. A deposit equivalent to one month’s tuition is required when parents accept a space.
Does my child have to be toilet-trained?
No, it’s fine for children to be using diapers at Chickpeas.
Are children served food at Chickpeas?
Snacks are provided at mid-morning, in the afternoon, and in the after school program. Children bring their own lunches, which are stored in the refrigerator. Food for lunch can be heated in the microwave oven. The Parent Handbook contains guidelines for providing nutritious food for lunches. Children who arrive early may also bring breakfast
How does Chickpeas handle food allergies?
Food allergies are handled on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to talk to us for more information.
Does Chickpeas accommodate special needs children?
Chickpeas has collaborated with local special education programs to accommodate children who receive special services during the school day. Feel free to talk to us for more information.
Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend Chickpeas?
Yes (but please see below for information about exemptions). Chickpeas is a fully licensed day care center for children between the ages of 2.9 and 5.7 and must comply with the legal requirements of the New York State Department of Health. Every child must provide a record of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP or DTP); poliomyelitis (OPV/IPV); mumps, measles, rubella (MMR); Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib); hepatitis B (Hep B), and varicella (aka chicken pox). Parents can call 311 or check the Health Department's website for details about school immunization requirements.
Are there any exemptions to the immunization requirements?
A child may be exempt from the required immunizations for medical or religious reasons. A medical exemption is a certificate from a physician that states one or more immunizations may be detrimental to the child's health. A religious exemption is a written statement stating that the parents object to their child's immunization due to sincere and genuine religious beliefs which prohibit the immunization of their child. This statement must be approved by the Bureau of Day Care.
How does the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) system work?
Children who turn four by December 31 are eligible for enrollment in our UPK program. Through a grant from the New York City Department of Education, families of UPK children receive a significant tuition reimbursement. Children must attend five days per week.
Is the UPK a separate program?
In keeping with the Chickpeas orientation, all of the children are part of one inter-aged group, including UPK children.