The Lil Cottonwood Play Group is the community's longstanding co-op for parents and their preschoolers. Incorporated in 1959, it's an accredited school serving students from the surrounding areas of Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Cypress, Long Beach, Garden Grove and Westminster. Vicki Donahue is the school's director and teacher. Students range in age from three to five years old and fees range from $120 to $145 a month.
Parents at Lil Cottonwood are expected to contribute in a variety of ways from assisting in the classroom to providing snacks and participating in fundraisers.