Our Philosophy
“… Things about children and for children are only learned from children. We knew how this was true and at the same time not true. But we needed that assertion and guiding principle..”
Petunia preschool is inspired by the early childhood schools of Reggio Emilia. We provide a fun environment where children can learn through their play. Teachers support this process by observing and listening to the children closely. We become a resource for them. By asking questions, we discover the children’s ideas, hypotheses and theories. Our curriculum is inspired by the children. As teachers we plan ahead and lay out general educational objectives, but the learning takes place through the continual research that happens with the children.
The metaphor “catching the ball that the children throw us” is a favorite in the schools of Reggio Emilia. When the children throw us a ball, the teacher tries to keep the game going. How are we going to throw the ball back? This is how a project emerges, and the learning continues…
Our School
Petunia Preschool is a 3 bedroom bungalow in NE Portland (on NE 53rd just south of Killingsworth), that has been fully converted into a fun place for children to explore materials and build relationships.
We are licensed by the state of Oregon as a certified family child-care home.
We provide a safe, comfortable environment where children can learn at their own pace and explore their wonderings without being forced to adhere to a rigid structure.
While most projects are organized spontaneously around the natural interests of the child, they'll also have the opportunity to participate in activities like gardening, baking, yoga, music and working with clay.
Our maximum enrollment is 15 children per day. There will always be two teachers if more than 8 children are attending on any given day.
Our school is a family-owned business. We welcome all types of families and we encourage children's families to participate.
We accept children from ages 2.5 to 5.
It's OK if your child isn't potty-trained yet, and there's no extra charge – just bring some diapers if necessary.
Documentation
Daily documentation is very important to us. Teachers will take pictures, audio recordings and transcriptions of children's interactions, conversations and play.
Documenting the learning process of both children and teachers helps us become aware of emerging projects and common interests within our school's community. It also helps parents become aware of their children's experiences and get involved in the learning process.
The intent of documentation is not only to display, but to explain. Children become very comfortable seeing their teachers with a notebook and camera in hand; documentation starts here.
Daily Schedule
8:00 – Arrive, discovery time, project work
9:30 – Morning snack
10:00 – Circle time
10:45 – Outside/discovery time
11:45 – Clean up/lunch
12:30 – Storytime
1:30 – Rest time
2:30 – Outside/discovery time
3:30 – Afternoon snack
4:00- 4:25– Outside/discovery time/ pick up
4:30 - Doors locked
The drop-off /pick-up door will be locked between the hours of 9:00 am through 4:00 pm. If you come between those times just ring the bell at the exit door in front.
Food & Nutrition
We provide 2 snacks (am & pm) and a lunch, every day.
Lunch is always a well-balanced meal, served family style.
Most snacks and meals are vegetarian.
We avoid foods with high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil.
We can accommodate most food allergies or dietary restrictions.
We use local and organic food as much as possible.
Children will help plant and care for our organic garden, which we will eat from when the season allows.
Children will be part of meal preparations and in doing so will learn about a balanced diet and keeping our bodies healthy.
Holidays & Closures
2023–2024
Monday September 4th ~ Labor Day
Friday November 10th ~ Veteran's Day
November 20th - 24th ~ Fall Break
December 18th - January 1st ~ Winter Break (2 weeks)
Monday January 15th ~ Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday February 19th ~ Presidents Day
March 25th - 29th ~ Spring Break (1 week)
Monday May 27th ~ Memorial Day
Wednesday June 19th - Juneteenth
June 17th – July 12th ~ Summer Break (3 weeks)
Tuition
5 days a week - $1025/month
4 days a week - $870/month
3 days a week - $720/month
2 days a week - $565/month
extra days - $75/day
Enrollment/Re-enrollment fee - $100 (non-refundable)
* Every January, we re-enroll for the next fall. At this time you will be able to request any changes you want in your schedule, or to secure the days you have.
Late pickup fee - $1/minute (please don't pick up late!)
Late payment fee- $10 per day (please don't pay tuition late!)
Notes for Parents
If you need to change your schedule or leave the school for any reason we ask for 2 full-months' notice. We do not pro-rate final month's tuition. For example, if notice is given on October 15th, payment is still required in full for the months of November & December.
If your child needs to miss school because of illness or vacation, tuition stays the same. We can't do make-up days, but you can pick up an extra day for $65 if there is space.
Tuition is a yearly contract - it's the same during months with breaks and holidays.
Tuition is due the 1st of every month, regardless of weekends or holidays. You can leave us a check and it will not be cashed until the first of the month.
Enrolling now!
Contact Us for a tour, or just to learn more!
petuniapreschool@gmail.com
503-288-5177
We are currently open and enrolling new students. To read more about how preschool works during COVID19, click here.
COVID19 and Preschool
Licensing
Petunia Preschool, like most licensed preschools currently open in Oregon, is once again operating under an standard child care license.
Guidelines
We closely follow the guidelines of the Oregon Early Learning Division, which have included past restrictions around drop-off/pick-up, visitors in the school, class sizes, safety and a lot more. The guidelines vary depending on risk and infection levels. As a parent, you’ll be kept personally informed on how changes in guidelines affect daily operations at the school.
Safety
Our top priority is the safety of our teachers and families. We closely following ELD guidelines on cleaning, contact and protection, and adhere to the recommendations of mainstream medical professionals and epidemiologists. Within state guidelines, teachers use their discretion on mask-wearing, food-sharing and contact and will always keep families informed on current school rules. Feel free to ask any question at any time!