Preschool
Classes and playgroups for ages 3-5 years
Enroll in the 2024-2025 School Year
All of our classes are mixed-age, ranging from 3–5. This means that there is not an age restriction for any of our class choices. You can pick the schedule that fits best with your family, and your child will spend time with peers that are both older and younger. We have found that this helps with cooperation, confidence, and building community in the classroom.
When you enroll, your child will be assigned a homeroom teacher based on the schedule you choose. If you have a teacher preference, you may let us know and we will do our best to honor your request.
Sellwood Schoolhouse registration links:
2-Day Morning
Tues, Thurs
9 AM – 1 PM
$450/month
3-Day Morning
Mon, Wed, Fri
9 AM – 1 PM
$650/month
5-Day Morning
Mon–Fri
9 AM – 1 PM
$900/month
2-Day Afternoon
Tues, Thurs
1—4 PM
$375/month
3-Day Afternoon
Mon, Wed, Fri
1—4 PM
$525/month
5-Day Afternoon
Mon–Fri
1—4 PM
$675/month
Sign up for Preschool Spring Break Camp!
March 25th-29th
Full-Day Camp: 9–4 pm | Half-Day Camp: 9–1 pm
Upcoming Events
Sellwood Schoolhouse Philosophy
At Sellwood Schoolhouse...
We believe that each child has an inner will to develop, thrive and create.
We believe in supporting and nurturing the joy of childhood through a play-based environment.
We offer opportunities for children to grow in appreciation and gratitude for their community and the world around them.
We give space for children to explore, create and nurture friendships in a loving, supportive environment.
We are mindful that our environment is the additional teacher in our spaces.
We believe that collaborating with children is key to fostering healthy group dynamics and individual growth.
We believe that the classroom is the third teacher. We are intentional as teachers to create sustainable environments which encourage your children to be partners and collaborators in their education.
We are a Reggio Emilia and Montessori Inspired School.
Our Curriculum
Our learning units are centered around play and project based learning. Each day our teachers will set up inviting provocations and meaningful projects that children want to explore. This includes loose parts play, process art, science experiments, math manipulatives, and dramatic play props and costumes. Each day our teachers will thoughtfully plan around the unit of study and create opportunities for the child to engage playfully with the curriculum.
We draw inspiration for our thematic explorations from the children’s interests. We study a wide variety of themes throughout the school year, from rocks and dinosaurs to insects and robots, to name a few! We use a variety of resources to support the interests and curiosities of our students.
Daily Rhythm and Routine
The daily rhythm will vary from classroom to classroom. Here is a general schedule that will likely be changed according to individual class needs and dynamics.
Sample Schedule
arrival and wash hands
open play
morning circle
morning snack
morning focus workshop + open play
bathroom break and wash hands
gross motor play
bathroom break and wash hands
lunch
rest time + quiet activities indoors
closing circle
Snack
Our preschool students are provided a daily, healthy snack.
A typical snack for our preschoolers might be homemade banana bread and apple slices, or homemade granola, yogurt, and fresh berries.
Our Preschool Teachers
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My Name is Molly Hodge and I have been working as a teacher for 6 years. I hold a Masters in Education and I have taught ages pre-k through grade 5. I love all ages, but in the past two years I have found that my passion lies in working with early childhood. I am so happy to be at Sellwood Community House and I feel very grateful for this opportunity to work alongside other amazing people to create a magical early childhood program. I will be your go-to person for any information you need regarding our preschool program! When I am not in the classroom, I like to spend my time with my family. I live with my partner Graham and dog Marshall. I love to hike, rock climb, and paint with watercolors.
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My name is Shelby, and I am so excited to be a part of a wonderful place like Sellwood Community House. Working with children brings me so much joy. It keeps me young and allows me to still embrace my imagination and sense of wonder. I see each child as an individual and support their needs and interests. The teaching of peace, community, and respect makes my classroom a beautiful place to be. I believe in fostering a lifetime of respect, love of learning and an understanding of what an individual can contribute to a community and our world as a whole. I have been working with children since the age of 14 in diverse classroom environments. I have taught children overseas, as well as in traditional classrooms, and I have had the opportunity to start several outdoor preschool programs. I am one of the lucky ones who consider their work fun and exciting.
When I am not in the classroom, I like to spend my time with my family. I live with my 12-year old son Indigo, my partner Rachel, our cat Serendipity, dog Charlie, and turtle Otis Flower. I grew up in Oregon, and I feel blessed with all the Pacific Northwest gifts us. I love to camp and spend my time in nature. I am an artist. I love working with beads and making jewelry, wind chimes, or other kinetic art pieces. I plan on introducing your children to the art of beading. Community is very important to me. I have a great group of friends who I consider my family, and I am excited to be a part of the Sellwood Community House family too.
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My name is Neal McCormick and I have been working with kids since I was one myself, tutoring and babysitting throughout middle school and high school. After graduating from Saint Mary’s College in 2005 with a BA from their Integral Program, I moved to Portland and was accepted into Portland State University’s Graduate Teacher Education Program. I performed my student teaching in second and fourth grade classrooms and was accredited in elementary and early childhood education. Out of grad school I took a job working in ECE with preschool and pre-k children and was quickly hooked. I spent 12 years teaching these age groups as well as acting as Health and Safety Coordinator for the school. While I love working with young children, I have been looking to escape the profit-based world of corporate Early Childhood Education and was thus thrilled to stumble across the opportunity to teach at the Sellwood Community House. I am overjoyed to get the chance to become part of the child-focused approach that the SCH’s amazing team of educators believe in so strongly. Outside of the classroom I enjoy making music, art, reading, hiking, and spending time with my puppy Jasper.
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The preschool years are such fertile ground for play and learning!
My name is Cara Sheprow, and I am so excited to join the SCH community.
I have been working in education with all ages throughout my career. I have a BA in Spanish and Art from Clark University and use my love of languages and art to inform my teaching. After working as an outdoor environmental educator and later as a Photography & Studio art instructor for school age children, I fell in love with working with kids!
I’m a parent of three children, and through their preschool journeys I worked in a variety of play-based and Montessori inspired cooperative preschools. I found SCH as a parent looking for a Pre-K class to help my kiddo transition to kindergarten. I came to the open house and loved the community that I found here! When I’m not at school I love to bike, go camping and hang out on my paddleboard looking for animals on the river.
Preschool Frequently Asked Questions
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Our morning preschool session is from 9 am- 1 pm. Our afternoon playgroup is from 1 pm-4 pm. Our school calendar will follow PPS breaks and holidays, excluding in-service days.
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Each day children will have a morning meeting, open play, and snack in their homeroom. After snack, students will get the opportunity for enrichment rotations with our teaching team, followed by gross motor play and lunch. At the end of the day, all classes will join together for an end of day gathering.
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We offer two, three, and five-day schedules.
Our 2-day option meets Tuesday/Thursday and tuition is $450/month.
Our 3-day option meets Monday/Wednesday/Friday, and tuition is $650/month.
Our 5-day option meets Monday-Friday and tuition is $900/month.
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We use a play and project-based approach in our classrooms. This involves both child-initiated and teacher-supported learning. The teacher encourages children's learning and inquiry through interactions that aim to stretch their thinking to higher levels.
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We require a 30 day notice for any cancellation or withdrawal from our program.
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We do! You are welcome to apply online here.
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Our extended day is called Afternoon Playgroup. Afternoon Playgroup starts at 1:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Our tuition for afternoon playgroup is:
2 days/week $375/month Tu/Th
3 days/week $575/month M/W/F
5 days/week $675/month M-F -
We maintain a 10:1 ratio in our preschool classrooms. (10 students to 1 teacher)
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Students need to bring a lunch and water bottle. SCH will provide a healthy morning snack.
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We are not a nut-free school, but we are willing to adjust policies in order to keep our students safe.
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Our teachers integrate as much outdoor learning and play as possible! Every class will spend time outside.
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You are able to register online here! A non-refundable deposit and materials fee is required at registration. This fee varies by program and is not applied towards tuition.
Do you have questions we didn’t answer? Ask away!
Need financial support for the Sellwood School House?
Apply for our scholarship program!