For some of us, reading about picking preschools is a walk down memory lane and for others it’s a process we are just starting into or haven’t given much thought to yet.
I don’t know if this comes as good news or bad news, but as the parent of an almost 9 year old and, shocking for me, an already 12 year old, I can comfortably say the process that starts with picking your first caregiver, day care or preschool continues on a similar theme for many years. The mental list of what’s best for your child, your family and your bank account gets revisited time and time again with every program, summer camp and public or private school decision.
Michelle LaFollette, director and owner of Wren’s Nest Preschool, a Montessori in-home preschool for 20month olds to 5 year olds just a few blocks away from the Swap Shop on Yamhill, has an almost kindergartener and a middle schooler of her own. If Michelle and I could somehow transfer all our observations and knowledge from a decade of placing our own kids in schools and from touring parents through the programs we’ve created, what an email post this would be!
Or would it? Walking that path from holding our babes in our arms to attending graduation ceremonies raises up adults as much as the journey helps our children grow. We learn as much about ourselves as we do about our kids picking places to give our support and energy to over the years.
Other than saying – go with your gut instincts – I wouldn’t for one minute want to get in the middle of telling you what schools or programs are best or try to suggest the best way to evaluate the next caregiver for your child. I can tell you that every Montessori teacher that I have ever known has a calmness and a lively spirit about them that allows for inspirational learning day after day.
Also, there is something developmentally magical about those trays full of natural materials presented with awe and wonder to tiny bodies and little busy minds inspiring even the youngest toddler to give up their crash and thrash tendencies while they take out a little rug to sit on and patiently sort buttons.
Michelle and I both come from Silicon Valley and can laugh while sharing a cup of coffee in her livingroom turned classroom about 2 hour commutes (each way) and high strung parents with big agendas for their offspring. In part as a retreat from that lifestyle but also in response to the way SE Portland lives are shaped, Michelle has set up Wren’s Nest Preschool with a couple of unique features not usually found in a preschool or a daycare. Preschools tend to take the summers off. Wren’s Nest is a haven for children all year round. Day cares are open from the early hours until just before dinner time. Wren’s Nest families arrive between 8:30 and 9 and every child is back with their family by 4pm.
The very best part news for parents of toddlers reading this post: most preschools require children to be potty trained and at least three years old. Michelle’s youngest learners are not yet two and potty training is not a requirement to attend.
Before you pick up the phone to see what days she has available for your not-yet or just-barely two-year-old, I can tell you what you might already imagine, spots for toddlers are popular and go quickly. She already has a full toddler program for the summer and fall. Rather than keep a waiting list she just asks that you check in with her now and again for openings.
If you have been wondering what your three year old is ready for, Michelle opened Wren’s Nest almost three years ago and her first set of toddlers are now moving on to kindergarten leaving 9 open spaces for new 3 to 5 year olds. Jed Arkley’s daughter is one of those first students to go all three years at Wren’s Nest. I got a chance to ask him . . . why Montessori and why Wren’s Nest?
He looked at a lot of different schools and found Michelle’s program more affordable than some of the other Montessori schools he looked at. He loved the intimate setting with less than 10 kids together in the toddler or 3-4 classrooms and he loves the community building that happens along with academics matching each child’s true interests and readiness.
If you haven’t already gone through the sticker shock: preschool, day care or a nanny can sometimes feel like a second mortgage. I understand full time care hovers between $1,200 and $1,500 a month.
More like a college student’s rent than a mortgage: two mornings a week at Wren’s Nest for a toddler: $475. Full day, five days a week for a 3 ½ year old to 5 year old: $740.
While we can put a price on days of the week, we can’t put a price on the best parts of preschool . . . a break for parents, friends for our kids, and, in the case of Wren’s Nest, moments picking berries and tasting herbs in the back yard and a great Montessori classroom experience.
Just like at The Roost, the need for a place to be (for toddlers or teenagers) isn’t just about the parent’s work schedule but about some of the important work of childhood that gets done a bit away from home, in a place where parents aren’t near by, but caring adults are right there with subtle guidance and a calming way.
Wren’s Nest is a very low key place without a sign out front or even a web site. You can drive or walk by and see the front yard play area and families coming and going at 3815 SE Yamhill Street (last block of Yamhill before the Belmont Library). You can call or email Michelle at (503) 235-0093 or vassarlearningcenter©yahoo•com .
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