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Now enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year. Our admissions process begins with a school tour.
Eligibility
A child is eligible to enroll in the Front Yard (younger class) if they are at least 2 years, 9 months old by September 1 of the upcoming school year. To enroll in the Back Yard (older class), a child must be 4 years old by September 1.
Children who are just shy of the cutoff may still apply and could be considered; however, priority is given to children who meet the stated age requirements.
Admission Process
Step 1
Tour the school
Your admissions journey begins with seeing CCC in person on a tour. This is your opportunity to experience the co-op in action, seeing how teachers and parents work together to create a nurturing, playful space where children can thrive. All applicants are required to attend a tour within six months prior to applying.
Step 2
Complete Application
After your tour, you’ll be invited to complete a CCC application. Submitting an application is your chance to share more about your child, your family, and your interest in the co-op model. It also helps us understand how CCC might be a good fit for your family, and how your family’s strengths and interests could enrich our community.
Applications are due by January 15, but we encourage families to submit early whenever possible. Early applications give our Admissions Committee more time to thoughtfully review each family’s information and help us plan for the year ahead.
Step 3
Application Review
Admissions are reviewed each year by a team including members of the CCC Diversity & Equity Committee, Membership Committee, and Teacher Directors.
Factors including families’ representation from diverse communities, currently enrolled students and their siblings, as well as children’s age, gender, alumni status, and extended care needs are taken into consideration.
Step 4
Receive Decision
Offer letters are typically sent out in February or March. Families who are offered a spot will receive detailed next steps about enrollment, orientation, and how to get ready for the school year.
For families who apply after the deadline, or who are not offered immediate placement, CCC maintains a wait pool. Families in the wait pool will be contacted if space becomes available.
CCC welcomes all families.
CCC strives to admit a diverse class of students across many dimensions.
We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Asexual, Intersex, Trans and Gender non-conforming people; families from under-resourced communities; immigrants; disabled and neurodivergent people; and others with diverse perspectives and experiences to apply.
We strive to create an inclusive environment where all children and families feel valued and supported. Our admissions process is designed to reflect our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
FAQs
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CCC enrolls up to 25 children in each yard, for a total of 50 students. The number of openings each year depends on how many current families return. Because about 95% of Front Yard children continue to the Back Yard, there are typically fewer openings in the Back Yard. Occasionally, a few families choose to repeat a year in their current yard, which can also affect availability.
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We open applications each year around September for the following school year. We know many families are eager to plan ahead, however CCC does not offer any advance registration beyond the current enrollment window. Families are invited to apply once the annual enrollment period begins.
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CCC graduates move on to a variety of elementary schools — public, private, and alternative throughout Berkeley and the surrounding area. Since we focus on social-emotional togetherness (and not academic competitiveness), we don’t highlight or compare school placements.
What matters most to us is that children leave CCC confident, curious, and kind — ready to thrive wherever they go next. Families choose the next step that best fits their child and their values.
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We provide discounted tuition through the mutual aid assistance fund. This fund is supported primarily by families who pay tuition in Buckets D and E. Their contributions help cover tuition costs for families who need additional financial support to attend CCC. Buckets A and B represent the mutual aid-supported tuition options. Learn more
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Yes, CCC does maintain a waitlist after all open spots for the current year are filled. Families may be contacted from the waitlist if an opening becomes available. The waitlist does not carry over to the next year.
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Read our full FAQ list or contact us at membership@cccpreschool.org