Presented June 1994 on the 25th anniversary of the founding of CCP
On February 29, 1968 George and I moved to Reading with our two year old son Ted. It snowed that night, and we awoke the next morning to Lenny and Randy Sims shoveling our driveway, a neighborly and warm welcome on our first day in town. That same warm welcome was extended when we first attended Old South. It wasn't long before one of the friendliest visitors of all was in our home. She not only made us feel very much at home, but she was able to find ways that we might like to be active in the church. Of course, many of you know I am speaking of Edie Sias, who was then Director of Religious Education.
Edie had read about a program in one of the Methodist Publications called Mother's Day Out. At a time when many young families were moving to strange communities and no extended families were available, here was a way to provide a play-group for children of all ages, for parents to meet, for mothers to have a little time for themselves, and an opportunity for the church to serve. Edie gathered four or five young mothers, all new in town, including myself and Martie Pressey, who now teaches at Killam School. She proposed the idea of Mother's Day Out. We opened the doors just one day a week in September 1968.
From the very beginning parents rotated and took turns staying to help. Lead teachers were volunteers and our only funding was the $.50 we collected for juice and snacks. The cash box was an apron pocket. From the first day we often had 15-20 children, babies to 5 years old, all together in the back of the vestry which used to be the nursery classroom. There was no registration. It was a drop-in program. Some days were pretty wild when 25 little ones dropped in all at once. It soon became apparent that the first adjustment, due to growth in a successful program, must be made. Now there would be two classrooms (infant/toddler and 3-5 year olds).
Mother's Day Out was always an extension of Old South's Christian Education program. Word spread quickly and we were soon an ecumenical cooperative Nursery School. From one day to two...from 2 days to 3...from 3 days to 4... and now the afternoon....from 2 classes to 3...and 3 classes to 4.
As we discovered, long before the Office for Children mandate, there is an optimum number of children for each classroom and teacher even with parent helpers. It is important to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for growth and learning. Therefore...NO MORE DROP-INS!!! We must register. Some parents have been know to greet our custodian, John Doucette, on his 5:30AM arrival, just a little early for 9:00AM registration.
One of our ministers, Gary Campbell, felt that we needed a name that more adequately reflected the purpose and spirit of our school. Those of you who searched for a new name for the Social and Service group know how difficult that can be. However, one of our past teachers, Marie Ammer, suggested Christian Cooperative Preschool, and we've been CCP ever since. CCP is truly a family affair. Roc O'Connell, the husband of our teacher of threes, designed our logo that even more graphically represents CCP. Jack Kelley has been very generous helping with the printing of the mountain of paperwork that is necessary to operate smoothly. Not only are our immediate families and their support so important, but the wonderful support of all the families enrolled. Most important of all is the warmth, caring, and love of our Old South family. These family ties are represented in our day to day contacts with Phyllis and Joan in the office, John Doucette (what would we do without his morning coffee???). Harold Thoma, with his wit, wisdom, and "fix-it-up" talents., and of course our ministers, Rev. Bob Sweet and Rev. Jean Russo-Parks. Christian Cooperative Preschool couldn't exist without all of you.