The Co-operative Principles
As a co-operative, PCPC ascribes to the following seven principles of the International Co-operative Alliance:
- Voluntary and open membership
- Democratic member control
- Member economic participation
- Autonomy and independence
- Education, training, and information
- Co-operation among co-operatives
- Concern for community
PCPC expresses its co-operative principles through:
- Its governance model (one member – one vote)
- Seeking the membership and affiliation of co-operative
nursery schools and daycare centres - Engaging in business opportunities and collaboration with other co-operative organizations (e.g. The Co-operators)
- Membership in co-operative federations (e.g. Organization for Parent Participation in Childcare and Education, Ontario – OPPCEO)
- Valuing and encouraging parent involvement in children’s
education and programming within all of their member centres
For further information on co-operatives check out the Ontario Co-operative Association website at www.ontario.coop.ca or www.coopscanada.coop. For a report on childcare co-operatives in Canada and internationally, follow this link: Childcare Cooperatives in Canada 2007.
