Tuition and Fees

Tuition Philosophy

A Reflection of our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe that all children deserve and benefit from a play-based education and we are dedicated to making CCC accessible to, and inclusive of, low-income and Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students. We acknowledge the impact of systemic racism, income inequality and the racial wealth gap, which create barriers to diversity within our school. To counteract these challenges, we actively reflect on and adapt our community culture, policies and decision-making. Our evolving tuition structure is one way we put this commitment into practice.

Rooted in our anti-bias education philosophy, we know children thrive when they learn in a diverse community. Exposure to peers from different backgrounds supports identity formation, cultural understanding, and social skills, while also helping to disrupt bias. Adults benefit too, gaining insight from the perspectives and experiences of others. As a cooperative, we strengthen our whole community when we each contribute to support one another and create an environment where every child and family feels valued and included.

Read “Buckets of Sand,” a parable about our tuition structure.

Understanding Our Tuition Structure

The Five Buckets

Our tuition structure consists of 5 “Buckets” or pricing tiers, designed to reflect each family’s ability to pay while keeping our cooperative accessible.

Five colorful buckets labeled A to E, each with a different color and attached handle.

Bucket A is the lowest-cost option, where families can write in the amount they are able to pay. Buckets B to E increase progressively, with Bucket E representing the highest tuition level. The middle option, Bucket C, represents the budgeted operating costs for CCC.

Picking a Bucket

Families select their tuition bucket based on their financial situation. Before the start of each school year, families complete the Family Finance Picture Questionnaire (FFPQ) and then select the tuition bucket that aligns with their financial situation. The FFPQ asks about household income, debt, savings, and access to resources like housing, healthcare, public assistance, and support from family or friends. Its purpose is to guide thoughtful reflection and help families choose a tuition level that works for them. You may complete the Family Financial Picture Questionnaire (FFPQ) at anytime.

Mutual Aid Assistance is Available (Bucket A)

At CCC, we believe every family should have access to our community, regardless of financial circumstances. Families who cannot pay the lowest listed tuition level may use Bucket A, which does not have a set price like the other tuition buckets. Instead, families can write in the amount they are able to pay.

This assistance is made possible through families contributing at Buckets D and E and through our collective fundraising efforts. Please note: Availability of funds depends on the success of fundraising and may vary year to year.

Tuition Calculator

Estimate your tuition based on your bucket and care add-ons. Reflects 2026-2027 rates.

1 Select main program tuition

This is our base tuition for our core Monday-Friday 9:00am-12:30pm program. The bucket you select also determines the pricing for the add-ons below.

Monthly tuition payment: —

2 Optional add-ons

Early morning care (8:00-9:00 AM)

Monthly EAM cost: $0.00

Early afternoon care (12:30-3:30 PM)

Monthly PM1 cost: $0.00

Late afternoon care (3:30-5:30 PM)

Monthly PM2 cost: $0.00

3 Discounts & Participation

Sibling discount

10% off total tuition for families with multiple children

Sibling discount: $0.00

Parent participation level

CCC offers limited reduced participation slots for families unable to participate weekly. Higher tuition applies for less participation as the school must provide coverage.

Participation adjustment: $0.00

Monthly Tuition Summary

Base tuition + add-ons: —
Sibling discount: -$0.00
Participation adjustment: $0.00
Total monthly tuition: —
Annual total: — (paid in 10 monthly installments, August-May)

Disclaimer: The calculator on our website is a helpful guide to understanding CCC’s tuition. While we strive to keep it accurate, the Schedule of Fees is the official source of truth. In the event of any discrepancies or calculation errors, the Schedule of Fees prevails.

FAQs

  • We provide discounted tuition through the mutual aid assistance fund (but we don’t use scholarships). 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.

    So why don’t we use scholarships? We've moved away from a traditional scholarship model in 2023 because it operated like charity, which can reinforce existing power dynamics. Under our previous system, scholarship recipients faced additional application requirements and had less privacy than other families.

    Our mutual aid model works differently: all families pay according to their financial means. This approach allows each family to reflect on their circumstances and take meaningful action toward our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

  • No. Your bucket choice doesn’t influence admissions decisions. Tuition selection comes after an offer is made.

  • Parent participation is a core part of CCC’s model. By contributing time, families reduce overall operating costs which directly supports lower tuition for everyone. When space allows, CCC offers flexible participation options:

    • Increased participation (1.5x or 2x) will reduce your tuition

    • Reduced participation (0.5x or no participation) will increase your tuition

  • For full list of fees, please view our 2026-27 Schedule of Fees

  • Read our full FAQ list or contact us at membership@cccpreschool.org