Mayfair

A Co-Op School: Working Together

Mayfair is a nonprofit, nondenominational cooperative organization administered by an elected board of parents who work closely with the certified teacher. 

Parents and Teachers working together is the heart of a co-op preschool.    As part of our co-op, parents are involved members of the school actively participating in their child’s first steps into an educational environment.

Our Three’s and Four’s classes are full co-op members.  Parent and Tot families may elect to participate in the co-op, but are not required to do so.  To fulfill their co-op responsibilities, each parent in the Three’s and Four’s class provides an adult volunteer to serve as a classroom aide 1-2 times a month. In addition, each Three’s/Four’s family provides extracurricular support to the school.   Families may elect to provide support by either serving on the school board or by serving on a service committee.  Board parents attend monthly meetings and oversee the service committees.  Service committee parents volunteer a set number of hours providing support services such as making playdough, doing laundry, bleaching toys, or assisting with school fundraising, social or outreach events.   For more details on volunteering requirements contact the school and ask to speak with the membership chair.

Benefits of a co-op

Mayfair preschoolers in red shirts sitting in a line smiling

Co-op preschools are a unique educational system which places high value on the input and involvement of its member parents.   Some of the benefits of attending our coop school include:

  • Exceptional adult to student ratios

  • Low tuition rates

  • Unique hands on involvement opportunities for parents

  • Community support

  • An onsite nursery for parent with older/younger siblings

  • Flexible potty training requirements

  • Age exemptions for fall birthdays

Early Years — Idealism, Community Spirit, and Hard Work

Mayfair preschoolers smiling in front of banner at park

Mayfair Coop Preschool has been a Farmington area tradition for over 60 years.  The Mayfair Cooperative began in July 1955 when a group of eight mothers, concerned over the lack of playmates for their children, met to discuss a nursery school. From these humble beginnings Mayfair was born and grew. By 1959, Mayfair was  one of the largest preschools in the greater Detroit area.  In 1967, Mayfair moved to its current location in the Orchard United Methodist Church. In 2015 Mayfair celebrated its 60th year as a Co-op Preschool! The great sense of cooperative spirit and responsibility for our children’s education that began in 1955 continues to thrive at Mayfair.

Today, Mayfair enrolls up to 45 families each year.  Over the years, Mayfair has expanded its programs to include not only traditional half day preschool, but also extended day for 4 years olds, as well as Parent and Tot classes for the 2 year old set.  Please visit our description of classes and curriculum pages to learn more.