Vashon-Maury Cooperative Preschool plans to relocate from the VFW Hall to the Vashon Youth & Family Services PlaySpace this summer.

The 35-year-old preschool, which has a high level of parent participation, will move to the brick structure on Vashon Highway at Gorsuch Road on July 1, and officials from the school and Vashon Youth & Family Services (VYFS) are excited about the move.

“The timing was perfect,” said Chuck vanNorman, president of the preschool’s board. “I believe it’s a better location, and our enrollment will go up. I’m very excited to see what we can do in the same building.”

About 35 families attend the preschool, which has three classes for toddlers up to 5-year-olds. The preschool will be a tenant of VYFS at the PlaySpace, and co-op preschool classes will be offered in the lower level of the two-story building, which formerly housed the Vashon YMCA, said Lori Means, VYFS birth-to-six program manager and a parent instructor at the co-op preschool.

“I am really excited,” Means said. “This allows us to share the space with someone with whom we also share a mission of supporting parents and children on Vashon. … It’s just a real win-win situation.”

The preschool will pay about the same to be housed at the PlaySpace as it currently pays to be at VFW Hall, said vanNorman. The VFW Hall, located on the highway just north of Judd Creek, was recently sold to Vashon Island Books.

“Our overall costs are going to remain about the same,” he said.

The co-op preschool will hold a spring-themed auction this weekend, hoping to raise funds for moving expenses and scholarships for families who cannot afford to pay the preschool’s full tuition.

“The auction is critical for making sure all families can come to the co-op,” said parent Zabette Macomber. “It’s going to be a very laid-back, fun affair.”

Co-op families will provide “copious amounts of yummy finger food,” Macomber said, and a lively iPod party mix at the April 17 auction, which will be held at the VFW Hall.

Items on the auction block include a wine tasting trip in Walla Walla, a house concert by Island musician Ian Moore and a custom tattoo by Island tattooist Paco Rollins.

“The parent body all pitches in to make it a success,” said preschool teacher Andrea Braganza of the auction. “It’s going to be fun.”