HELPING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THRIVE SINCE 1970.
The Southwest Parent-Child Collective is a vibrant nonprofit, co-op preschool, administered by parents and staffed by experienced teachers. Leveraging a play-based approach and principles from Reggio Emilia, our teachers help students learn about themselves and their surrounding world through play, art, experimentation, outdoor time, books, dance and song.
We offer three programs: Young Toddler, Toddler and Preschool.
We offer three programs: Young Toddler, Toddler and Preschool.
OUR PROGRAMS
All run from 9:05-12:45pm every day, with students typically attending 2, 3 or 4 days per week.
Young ToddlersAge 1 by Sept. 1
Led by Teacher Karen, the Young Toddlers room is a bright, happy place where our youngest students participate in everything from art and singing to gardening and outdoor exploration.
Ratio: 1 adult to 2.5 children |
ToddlersAge 2 by Sept. 1
Teachers Maria and Ryan creates a nurturing learning environment where Toddlers can express their individuality, make friends and build life skills, laying an excellent foundation for preschool.
Ratio: 1 adult to 3 children |
PreschoolAge 3 or 4 by Sept. 1
While keeping Kindergarten readiness at the forefront, Teacher Amanda fosters her students’ curiosity, creativity and social skills through movement, creative play and experimentation.
Ratio: 1 adult to 4 children |
OUR APPROACH
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.
-Fred Rogers
PLAY-BASED LEARNING
At SWPCC, our approach is anchored on the belief that play is children's work. We have found the recipe for our children's success is a rich, stable, safe environment with affectionate, supportive grown-ups and lots of opportunities for exploration and play. Leveraging principles from Reggio Emilia, our teachers help students express their individuality, gain confidence, make friendships and explore the world around them through play, art, experimentation, outdoor time, books and song.
Our goal is to foster curiosity, creativity, and caring within our students because having these leads to lifelong success.
Our goal is to foster curiosity, creativity, and caring within our students because having these leads to lifelong success.
OUR SCHOOL
WHERE LOVE AND LEARNING GROWS
Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in Southwest Portland, SWPCC has fantastic facilities for indoor and outdoor learning. The school boasts a quarter acre outdoor play area, complete with play structures, sand boxes, swings and a blacktop for riding trikes, and shares a parking lot with the Community Garden (in which we have plots!).
Each program has a dedicated classroom, equipped with age-appropriate toys, books and activities. Add children, parents and our experienced teachers, and you have a love-filled, well-equipped learning environment.
Each program has a dedicated classroom, equipped with age-appropriate toys, books and activities. Add children, parents and our experienced teachers, and you have a love-filled, well-equipped learning environment.
SWPCC is affiliated with Parent-Child Preschools of Oregon. SWPCC is committed to an anti-biased and multicultural play curriculum and welcomes diversity in its member families. SWPCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, gender, religious preference, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, language, age, color, veteran status or family composition.