People can take a close look at the newest of Bellevue Community College’s 17 public, parent-cooperative preschools from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.

The open house will be at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in the Factoria neighborhood, where the new preschool will be housed. The event provides an opportunity to meet BCC’s parent- and early-education program leaders and instructors, and to learn about the format and curriculum of the college’s parent-cooperative preschools.

St. Margaret’s is located at 4228 Factoria Blvd. S.E. in Bellevue. Attendees should use the church’s west entrance and proceed to the lower level.

BCC’s preschools provide active learning experiences for parents and children in the development of creativity, literacy, math, science, physical ability and social skills. The classes each focus on one of several distinct age levels, from infant through 5 years of age, with curriculum designed specifically for each stage of development.

Parents learn in the pre-school classroom, right along with heir children, as well as in small group discussions on discipline, nutrition, safety, family relationships, development milestones and the physical, emotional and social needs of children.

Parent/child classes typically meet one day a week – with daytime, evening and weekend alternatives to accommodate parents’ busy schedules. An additional two days of drop-off preschool without parents may be available as a further option.

BCC also offers one-day enrichment classes for parents and their 3-7 year olds, “Dad and Me” Saturday classes specifically for young children and their fathers, and Creative Development and Discovery (science and math) labs for children in kindergarten through second grade.

For further information on parent education or to register for BCC’s programs, parents may call 425-564-2365 or email sodonnel@bellevecollege.edu.

Information also is available online at http://bellevuecollege.edu/parented/.