The Lacey Parent Cooperative Preschool is a self-funded, non-profit preschool serving the Lacey-Olympia-Tumwater area. Incorporated in 1982 as the Olympia Preschool Parent Cooperative, the school can trace its beginning back to 1933 as the Olympia Preschool Playschool, a child study group to aid parents in raising their children. Out of that, a playgroup was formed to care for children while their mothers helped in the war efforts of 1943-1945.

Since then, a continual effort has been made by the parent members and associated educators to develop a high quality, low-cost early childhood program, which has served thousands of Olympia area preschoolers over the years. Many families of these children would not be able to afford the higher tuition of other preschool programs. Lacey Co-op Preschool provides approximately $1800.00 in scholarships each year to assist low-income families in attending our program.

The Lacey Parent Cooperative Preschool operates with a membership Board of Directors which oversees the running of all aspects of the school, including recruiting and hiring our teachers. Our school is part of the parent education program at South Sound Community College, and our parents attend parent education classes, work in the classroom, and earn college credit. After having the experience of being directly involved in their children's education, our parents often go on to be active in the public school system as volunteers and assistants, and as leaders in parent organizations, etc.