Operated as a parent cooperative since 1940, the El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative lays claim to being the second oldest preschool west of the Mississippi. Although parents own the school, the program is administered by a professional staff. Parents participate in various ways such as fundraising and maintenance. It offers morning and afternoon programs with options for lunch and extended-hours care. It also offers music classes once a week, a wildlife garden, nearby nature walks and a camp-out at the school and at Tilden Park. The school is located across the street from the El Cerrito Community Center.