“Slippery Fish, Slippery Fish, sliding through the water…” Sara O’Neill, mother of three-year-old John Haley, wiggles her hands in a fishlike motion as she sings the tune to the children’s song that gave name to the innovative Slippery Fish Cooperative. The parent-run cooperative was formed in 2007 by four mothers, with funding support from a First Five grant and space provided by Axis Café.
Slippery Fish started out as a babysitting exchange, with four families taking turns hosting play groups at one another’s homes. But as babies become toddlers, keeping them in confined spaces became more challenging. The parents decided to launch a formal cooperative, with enough space for their children to roam and explore. Slippery Fish was born.
The founding parents – Sara O’Neill, Elizabeth Buchanan, Shiraaz Bhabha, and Anita Ahmed – quickly realized that leasing space would be too expensive. However, they discovered that Axis Cafe was willing to offer their studio free of charge. “It was just too good to be true, and it still is,” O’Neill exclaimed. According to Hannah Walker, Axis Community Project’s (ACP) lead coordinator, “We as a cafe decided they can have the space for free. We’re a cafe that’s nonprofit making. We just didn’t feel comfortable with making them pay a monthly amount.”
Located at the intersection of Eighth and 16th streets, Axis Café’s ACP has goal of serving families, children and Potrero Hill residents. ACP hosts weekly art events, a family night on Monday evenings, and a monthly Movie Night. “Our vision is not to be just a cafe. It should be more than that, and it’s all about community,” said Walker.
Slippery Fish children are able to interact with one another in a childproof atmosphere full of toys stored onsite. Participating children enjoy free play, snack, storytime and a planned craft activity. They regularly dance, play with trains, or pretend play with a toy kitchen. Special guests, such as a musician or yoga teacher, are often invited. “I look forward to the days my daughter goes to Slippery Fish, even when I have to work, as I know she will have fun with her friends and have an enriching morning,” Lisa Tehrani, one of the cooperative’s parent-teachers explained. “It is nice to be involved in this sort of experience with her before she heads off to preschool,” she added.
Children ages 18-months to three-years can participate either two or four days a week, Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Parents are required to work half of the number of days their children attend, volunteering to manage the morning program or signing on for a particular job, such as maintenance or purchasing.
Slippery Fish is in the process of becoming an official nonprofit organization. The founding members hope that newer families will take over cooperative management as the inaugural class moves onto preschool. Eight children ages two to three currently attend the cooperative, with six on Monday/Wednesday and four on Tuesday/Thursdays, which gives them and their parents an opportunity to get to know their neighbors.
For more information visit www.slipperyfish-sf.com.
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