"Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb, animals to pet, hay fields, pine cones, rocks to roll, sank snakes, huckleberries and hornets.... Any child who has been deprived of these, has been deprived of the best part of their education..."

These words from the man for whom the City of Burbank is named could have been describing our philosophy at "Our Children's Place", Burbank's only cooperative preschool. As a member parent, your contribution is vital in attaining the spirit of these words in our school, every day. A trip to just about any preschool on any give day will tell how difficult it is to achieve an atmosphere of discovery, day in and day out. But ours is not just any preschool. As a parent-run organization, we bring something to our school no one else can: our love and sense of wonder for our own children.

So, as we begin our year, let's recommit ourselves to providing a special place for our children. It will take work and maybe even a little drudgery (we do have to clean the place, after all). But mostly, it will take our love and imagination, and our following through on the job to which we have committed: sharing in our children's preschool experience.

In return, you will experience a year of growth and joy, not only for your child, but for yourself as well. And if there are times you feel less than joyful, and your sense of wonder overwhelmed by your sense of fatigue, don't despair, and don't let yourself become isolated! Remember the organization you've joined. Remember that it's greatest strength is that we help each other. Communicate with those around you. We've all had those days, and will again, and we get through them "with a little help from our friends."

Welcome to Our Children's Place, a wonderful and unique preschool experience that will surely stay with your child...and with you...forever.