Our Children's Place

Our Children's Place is a nonprofit organization designated as a 501(c)(3), operating in the educational sector. It is located in Burbank, California, and functions as a cooperative parent participation organization, offering a play-based and child-led preschool and pre-kindergarten program.

History

Established in 1992, Our Children's Place began as a parent-participatory nursery school. It emphasizes community involvement and has grown into a cooperative preschool program that reflects the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Mission and Activities

The mission of Our Children's Place is to foster an environment that honors the innate curiosity and diversity of young learners. It encourages risky play, problem-solving, collaboration, and community engagement. The organization places a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning, allowing children to explore and express their feelings while developing skills in conflict resolution and emotional awareness.

Through its caregiver-participation model, Our Children's Place creates intergenerational learning spaces where both children and adults feel valued and supported. The program integrates activities such as nature walks and ecological stewardship to enhance children's connection with the environment.

Curriculum

The educational approach at Our Children's Place is centered around play-based learning and child-led experiences. The curriculum includes components like feelings charts to build emotional awareness and mindfulness practices such as breathing meditation and whole-body awareness exercises. A calm corner is available for students who need quiet space to reflect.

Community Engagement

Our Children's Place is committed to community building and social responsibility. It organizes events like park clean-ups and participates in local activities to promote a sense of belonging among its members. The organization's values include advocacy, acceptance, democracy, community participation, curiosity, confidence, compassion, empathy, kindness, safety, inclusivity, and responsibility.

Financial Overview

As a nonprofit, contributions and fundraising activities are key sources of revenue for Our Children's Place. The organization's financial operations are disclosed through annual tax filings, which provide insights into its assets and liabilities over time. The key officers and employees do not receive compensation for their roles.

Governance

The governance structure of Our Children's Place includes a board of officers who oversee its operations and strategic direction. The organization is led by a president, treasurer, vice president, and secretary, all of whom are volunteers and do not receive compensation for their work.