News Flash!

(as reprinted from THE CALIFORNIAN 9-14-06)

Preschool co-op plants new roots

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer

MURRIETA -- The 11-year-old Ready, Set, Grow! Preschool in Murrieta has been through a tough couple of years lately, with tens of thousands of dollars in savings embezzled by a former parent volunteer and being compelled to move from its downtown location because of a rent hike.

But this month the nonprofit, parent-participation preschool is embarking on a rebirth of sorts.

The preschool is now situated ---- and thriving ---- in a classroom at Alta Murrieta Elementary School thanks to Murrieta Valley Unified School District officials agreeing to lease the classroom for about $6,000 a year under their civic center rates for nonprofits, preschool officials said.

The preschool reopened earlier this month after a summer break and parents said they are thrilled to be on a campus, which is a homecoming in that the preschool was launched at Rail Ranch Elementary a decade ago before moving to its former commercial location on Washington Avenue.

"It just feels like this is where we are supposed to be," said Cheri Ortega, the preschool's main teacher and director, as she was surrounded by about two dozen children in their new classroom Wednesday.

The preschool's philosophy is that parents can pay for tuition with their time, not their wallets ---- everyone has a job at the school and helps out about three times a month in some way, from field trips to arts and crafts projects, said preschool President Jennifer Hess.

About 50 families are members of the co-op. Tuition is $105 a month for 3-year-olds and $125 a month for 4-year-olds, Hess said, adding that there is a waiting list of about two dozen families.

The nature of the program creates deep friendships among the parents as they volunteer and get to know each other, creating a family atmosphere, Ortega said. What's more, the preschool has a strong emphasis on allowing children to express creativity through hands-on projects, she said.

There were moments in the last year when members of the co-op were afraid they would not find an affordable new location because of the high cost of rent throughout the area and would have to close the preschool's doors, said Caryann Braicovich, who has had three children go through the school.

That struggle, coupled with the theft of about $40,000 by a former parent volunteer who has since been convicted of embezzlement, was tough, Braicovich said while fighting back tears.

The school district's decision to help out shows it sees a need for qualified preschools, she said.

"We are very appreciative," Braicovich said. "Without them, we wouldn't have a home."

Kate Hamaker, director of family services for the Murrieta school district, said officials leased the classroom to Ready, Set, Grow! to give area parents another "school readiness" option in addition to the several other preschool programs in the district for low- and middle-income families.

"It's a win-win situation," Hamaker said. "It gives them a place to be, and gives us another opportunity to provide parents options. We want to make sure we offer a wide menu."

-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com .