I’m a Covid-cautious parent in the South Seattle area, and I’m exploring the idea of starting a community center / co-op schooling / daycare / event space that’s built around safety, flexibility, and connection somewhere in the Seattle Area (North, South or Centrally located).
Every time local families meet, this topic comes up — how to keep our kids safe while still giving them the social and learning experiences they crave. My own daughter is eager for in-person school, but traditional options don’t feel right for us. Spending $30K+/yr on private school only to still navigate safety concerns doesn’t make sense when we could invest those resources back into our own community.
What this space could offer:
**For kids under 5: A truly Covid-safe childcare or pre-K environment — something that’s currently very hard to find.
**For school-age kids: Co-op style learning, tutoring, enrichment, and safe play spaces.
**For teens: In addition to the Co-op, volunteer or paid opportunities to support younger kids and help run events and/or coffee and snack shop.
**For adults: Safe, community-based hangouts — book clubs, fitness classes, workshops, game nights, and more.
Additionally, we will need paid positions filled as well.
I’ve put together a survey to gather input — what kind of space you’d use, how far you can travel, how often you would travel, and how you could contribute (time, resources, ideas).
We may not get everything perfect right away, but we can start building something together.
Please share your thoughts, ideas, or ways you might want to get involved — whether that’s time, skills, or financial support.
