Our Cooperative
It Takes a Community
Brooklyn Free Space has been built around a simple idea: families and educators working together can create something special for children.
As a cooperative preschool, BFS is more than a place where families drop off their children each morning. Families are active members of our school community, contributing their time, talents, perspectives, and ideas alongside our professional teachers and administrators.
This shared participation strengthens the connection between home and school, builds relationships among families, and allows children to see the adults in their community working together to care for something they all share.
🤝 What Does Being a Co-op Family Mean?
Every BFS family is a member of the cooperative. Membership comes with opportunities to participate in the life of the school as well as shared responsibilities that help our community thrive.
Families contribute in different ways throughout the year—from completing a cooperative work assignment and attending General Meetings to helping with community events and sharing their talents with the school.
Cooperative participation works best with a spirit of flexibility, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
⭐ Member Responsibilities
BFS member families are expected to:
Pay the required Membership Fee
Attend required General Meetings
Complete a cooperative work assignment
Participate in required BFS community events
Stay connected to cooperative communications and community activities
Specific requirements, fees, meeting schedules, and participation expectations are communicated to member families each school year.
🛠️ Cooperative Work
Each member family contributes to the operation and community life of BFS through a cooperative work assignment. Co-op work may support areas such as community building, events, fundraising, communications, school projects, or other needs that arise during the year. Some families may also serve in leadership or committee roles.
Assignments vary, but every contribution plays a part in supporting the school and strengthening our community.
🗣️ General Meetings
General Meetings bring the BFS membership together to hear school and classroom updates, learn about the work happening across the cooperative, discuss community matters, and participate in decisions that require membership involvement.
They are also an important opportunity for families to stay connected to the larger BFS community beyond their child's classroom.
🎨 Sharing With the Classroom
Families bring a tremendous range of experiences, cultures, interests, professions, traditions, and talents to BFS—and we love when those become part of children's experiences at school. In collaboration with classroom teachers, family members may share a story, tradition, skill, celebration, music, art, occupation, or other interest with children. These experiences help children make connections between home, school, and the wider world while giving families another meaningful way to participate in classroom life.
🎉 Community Events
Community events are an important part of life at BFS. Throughout the year, families come together for celebrations, gatherings, fundraising activities, and other opportunities to connect and support the school.
Family participation helps make these events possible—and, just as importantly, helps build the relationships and friendships that make BFS feel like a community.
❤️ More Than a Volunteer Requirement
Being part of a cooperative does require time and participation, but the cooperative model is about more than completing a job or attending a meeting. It is about belonging to a community where families, educators, and children all have a meaningful role in the life of the school. That shared investment is part of what makes BFS such a special place to learn, grow, and belong.