What is YCFamily Co-op?

York County Family Cooperative is a free market homeschool co-op.  Which means that parents, and sometimes youth, create classes as teachers and choose an appropriate fee for them. Classes are created entirely by each teacher. Many co-ops work with a top down model where the leadership outlines what classes they want taught and then teachers are found or “voluntold” (volunteered+told). With a free market system, classes tend to be higher quality and parents avoid burnout.

Who may join YCFamily?

Any currently homeschooling family that has at least one child who turns five before Sept 1, or older.  Younger siblings of the homeschooling child(ren) may also attend.

In the mission statement you mention “protecting childhood.”  What do you mean by that?

At YCFamily, we strive to protect childhood through these rights: the right for children to be with their families, the right for children to pursue academics at their own pace, and the right to a childhood free from sexualization.

Is this a drop off program?

No, parents are expected to stay for the duration each week.

How often do you meet?

We meet once a week on Wednesdays from 10:00-1:30 at 114 S Congress St in York, Lifeway Church.

Fall 2025 classes begin on August 27.

How long is a semester?

Each semester will be 12 weeks long.

How much does it cost?

There are two separate costs:

–The membership fee due on registration is $85. The membership fee covers the venue donation, insurance, website fees, cleaning supplies and other necessities needed for running a co-op. Everyone on the board is a volunteer. 

–Individual class fees vary and are paid directly to each teacher by each family.

Do you follow a specific learning philosophy or curriculum?

No. YCFamily is not intended to replace your homeschool; it is intended to add to and enhance the education you are giving your child at home. All homeschool methods and philosophies are welcome to join.

Do I have to join for the whole year to participate, or can I do just one semester?

Each family's needs are different.  Some families will want to join every semester.  Some families might take a semester off.  We hope most families will treat this as a community and join every semester, however signing up does not commit you for a whole year.

Is a nursery provided?

Not necessarily.  The co-op is a framework that provides a space and structure for families to share skills and passions with each other. If a parent sees a need or loves being with little ones and wants to offer a “nursery” class, or playtime class that is absolutely encouraged and will be appreciated by many. 

I want to join but am worried I can’t afford it.  What could I do to offset costs?

1. Teach classes.

2. Offer to assist in classes in exchange for part of the class fee.  This is very helpful to teachers, especially when there is a large class.

3. Ask if a teacher is willing to barter.  You might have a skill that would be valuable to them that they would be willing to accept instead of payment.

What are my minimum responsibilities as a parent?

The minimum responsibility is literally just being there. Each family needs a parent present at co-op at all times. Your children are your responsibility even while in classes. We welcome any other help you'd like to offer!

Do you have holiday parties, field trips, science fairs or park days?

Whenever a member wants to initiate an extra activity, the member is free to talk to the board, and head up the activity.

How long are classes?

50 minutes, with 10 minute breaks between classes

What type of classes do you have?

Every semester is different and is dependent on what classes parents offer. We hope parents will bring their passions and talents to provide a large variety of classes, including academic, enrichment, and “just for fun” classes.

How many class choices will there be?

This entirely depends on how many families enroll and how many parents decide to offer classes.  If you see a need for an age group that doesn’t have very many choices, please talk to the board about offering a class.

Are classes divided up by grade?

No. Classes are divided by whatever age range the teacher chooses for their class. Teachers also decide how many students will be admitted into their class.

Can I see the class schedule?

A new schedule is offered every semester and will be posted before class registration. After the schedule is posted, members will register for the classes they would like with each teacher and pay them directly.  For more clarification about the free market framework, classes and teachers, message us to see the Teacher Handbook.

Do you have certified teachers?

We don’t require our parent teachers to be certified.  The only requirements for teaching a class are being a parent and having a desire to teach.

What do I do if there isn’t a class for one of my kids to take while my other kids are in class?

–If you are interested in teaching, maybe there are other kids the same age without a class during that hour.  Talk to the board and ask if they would allow you to submit a class proposal after the schedule has been posted.

–If there is a class your kid is interested in, but is outside of the listed age for the class, email the teacher and ask if the teacher can make an exception.

–Your child without a class is always welcome in the rec room with you and can read or do school work or spend time with other kids that don’t have a class

Do I have to teach?

No. We understand that there are many stages of life and that some stages are more difficult than others.  However, we hope as you are able, you will want to teach and contribute to the co-op in that way.

Do parents have to be certified to teach?

We don’t require our parent teachers to be certified.  The only requirements for teaching a class are being a parent and having a desire to teach.

If members don’t have to teach, why will anyone bother to teach?

Members teach for a variety of reasons. Some parents want to and enjoy teaching, some want to teach something specific that they or their child(ren) have a passion for, some teach something they never can seem to get done at home, some want to teach to offset the cost of the co-op and many other reasons. 

For example:

1) Mary loves music and feels very comfortable teaching children to sing folk tunes and children’s songs.  She thinks it sounds fun to do, and maybe if she is lucky her kids will take the class, because they won’t ever sing with her at home. 

2) Suzan’s son has been begging to do science experiments and even though Suzan wants to do science experiments in her homeschool, it just never happens.  Suzan decides to offer a science experiment class at co-op because it will force her to finally do it for her son. 

3) Amy is flat broke and doesn’t have a spare cent.  The only way she can afford to do co-op is to offer classes.  Amy offers two classes and collects enough money to cover all of the supplies for her class, the class fees for her kids classes, the membership fee, and has enough money left over to go on a date with her husband.

4) Eleanor doesn’t like to hang out with the other moms because it causes her anxiety.  She would rather just plan out her lessons and be with the kids.

I am terrified to teach but am available to help out. What can I do?

There are lots of ways to help out in co-op.

1) If someone needs an assistant, step up and volunteer.  Often teachers would like a helper in class, and will waive the fee for your child if you are needed and willing to help out in class. 

2) Be willing to substitute for a class if the teacher is sick and can provide a lesson plan and supplies for you.

3) Plan a field trip or help with a holiday party.  

What do I do when my kids are in classes?

Moms and kids that aren’t in class can hang out in the rec room.  You can bring toys, books, or board games to occupy babies and other children that aren’t in class.