No, we are not a drop off daycare. We are a cooperative program for parents and their children. Parents stay with and are responsible for their own children except during "discussion time." As part of our co-op program, parents are assigned jobs each week. One of these jobs is to be a daily assistant and help watch the children in the main room during free play. The rest of the parents have a discussion group in the next room. Our program allows families to have special time in their busy day to have one on one play, while also giving parents a chance to separate from their child in a gentle way and have much needed adult conversation. We are also not a drop in playgroup. While prospective families may set up a 1-day free trial anytime with the Registrar, all families must register and pay a membership fee before they can join our weekly sessions.

One of Waltham Cooperative Playgroup's primary goals is to bring parents and children together. Due to this structure, our program is open to parents or legal guardians and their child(ren). Under special circumstances, alternate caretakers (grandparents, nannies, etc.) are allowed to bring your child. However, parents are still expected to participate and the alternate caretaker will also assist in the co-op model. It is important for your child (and for the other children attending WCP) that the same person attends on a regular basis. (For more information please see section VII. Policies and Procedures in the handbook )

A schedule will be created at the beginning of the semester letting you know which job you will cover each week. ​Daily assistants (A/B opening or C/D closing) ​Leading circle time Helping on the advertising or craft committees There is a General Membership Meeting (GMM) and a Cleaning Party to attend each semester, plus joining the Craft Committee, Advertising Committee, or taking on a leadership role. Please see our CO-OP page for further details.

Most jobs required take place during the actual program hours. You can choose which day fits your schedule best: Tuesday or Thursday (based on availability). There are only a few meetings that occur outside of playgroup time. We are very accommodating with members' schedules and realize that time is limited when you are a parent. We are willing to work with members as needed so that all the needs of the program are met, but so are the needs of the families.

Members recognize separation anxiety as a healthy sign of a strong bond between parent and child; but just as a deep parent-child attachment is good, so is a child's growth towards independence. If your child cries, an assistant will hold, comfort and try to entertain him/her. Should your child cry uncontrollably and refuse to be comforted, you will be called out of the discussion to console him/her. When your child is calm you may return to the discussion group. This may happen as many times as is needed. If a child is not ready/able to cope with separation, often times parents will choose to remain with them instead of joining discussion. They would then take over an Assistant role and help supervisor all the children, allowing one of the assigned parents to join discussion. ​ Non mobile and/or nursing infants are always welcome in discussion.

Membership fees pay for facility rental, cleaning supplies, toys, crafts, and weekly snacks of a fruit/vegetable and a non-perishable snack. There are also scholarships for qualified program members.

We invite anyone who is interested in joining Waltham Cooperative Playgroup to attend our playgroup first, to see if you and your child enjoy it. Once you have registered, if you decide to leave WCP prior to the second week of the semester, you will receive a full refund. Choosing to leave after the second week and prior to the third week will result in a 50% refund. After the third week no refund will be granted. In the event of unusual circumstances refunds may be granted at the discretion of the Program Coordinators (Co-Pros).

Yes. We encourage all new and prospective co-op members to visit our program prior to beginning a semester. We have several open houses throughout to the year for prospective families to see what we have to offer. Please contact the Registrar to find out when the next open house is scheduled. In addition to open houses, if there are open spaces available in the program, 1 Day free-trials are available Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 9:15 am, while WCP is in session. We encourage you to join us to get the full experience of an I to I day. Plan to be here until 11:15 am if you can. If there are no open spaces on the roster free-trials are not available. Free trials can be arranged by contacting the Registrar. ​

If you prefer to register without first visiting an open house or a free trial you can click here to fill out a registration form.

Membership Fees​ (due at the 3rd week of attendance) Children over 12 months Per-semester fee is $120 for one child and $30 for each additional sibling over 12 months. Children under 12 months Infants under 12 months are $70. ​Attending multiple days Families who attend both Tuesday and Thursday playgroups will pay an additional $30. We accept payment by cash or check. Checks can be made out to I to I Waltham, Inc ​ Prorating and refunds The registration fee is prorated for families that join after the first week. ​ If a family chooses to leave the co-op any time prior to the third week of a semester, they will receive a full refund. Choosing to leave after the third week and prior to the fourth week of a semester will result in a 50% refund. From the fourth week on, no refund will be granted. In the event of unusual circumstances, refunds may be granted at the discretion of the officers.  Scholarship Fund A scholarship fund is available to our members. Scholarship funds are equally distributed among our members requesting access. ​ Please contact the treasurer for further information about membership fees.