About Families

About Families’ mission is to create a village of support by educating families on the emotional, mental, and physical experiences involved during pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. In 2015, About Families brought the cooperative (co-op) preschool model to the Coachella Valley to enhance and strengthen family and community bonds by encouraging parental involvement in the classroom. Each weekday morning, 25 students and several parents walk into the Indio classroom eager to learn with three supportive teachers prepared to focus on child-led learning.

Guided by child-development professionals, parents are encouraged to explore with the children while simultaneously expanding their own parenting skills through classroom interaction as well as monthly parenting seminars. By working and learning together, a true community is formed and, subsequently, a strong support system and social network that extends outside of the classroom.

The class utilizes a variety of resources such as guest speakers, panels, group discussions, and videos, which provide a forum for exploring issues in child development and society. For parents, we provide the opportunity to gain insight into their own and other children’s development. The evening classes are planned by the instructor and adult students to meet individual and collective needs. A flexible and evolving curriculum may include child development, early childhood curriculum, parent child relationships, and cultural and social factors, affecting families.

Mariposa offers children a rich learning environment in well-equipped indoor and outdoor spaces. Books, music, drama, blocks, tricycles, climbing structures, swings, animals, paints, puzzles, sandbox, gardens and games are all part of the daily activities. As children leave the love and security of their family circles, our friendly and welcoming school community awaits them. The Mariposa play environment supports children in learning to enjoy and learn from other children and relish in the many new experiences. The lab experience helps parents and other adult students understand the process of human growth and development and the principles of early childhood education. We welcome all families to share in creating an optimal atmosphere for parents and children to grow together.