The Co-operative Principles

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

1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training, and information
6. Co-operation among co-operatives
7. 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.