The Co-operative Principles

As a co-operative, PCPC ascribes to the following seven principles of the International Co-operative Alliance:

  • Voluntary and open membership

  • Democratic member control

  • Member economic participation

  • Autonomy and independence

  • Education, training, and information

  • Co-operation among co-operatives

  • Concern for community

PCPC expresses its co-operative principles through:

  • Its governance model (one member – one vote)

  • Seeking the membership and affiliation of co-operative
    nursery schools and daycare centres

  • Engaging in business opportunities and collaboration with other co-operative organizations (e.g. The Co-operators)

  • Membership in co-operative federations (e.g. Organization for Parent Participation in Childcare and Education, Ontario – OPPCEO)

  • Valuing and encouraging parent involvement in children’s
    education and programming within all of their member centres

For further information on co-operatives check out the Ontario Co-operative Association website at www.ontario.coop.ca or www.coopscanada.coop. For a report on childcare co-operatives in Canada and internationally, follow this link: Childcare Cooperatives in Canada 2007.