Stumptown Kids Preschool

"With both my daughters attending Stumptown Kids Preschool it has been our family's home away from home and I couldn't imagine my children spending their days anywhere else. Stumptown Kids is a play-based and child-centered preschool, which means the school values child development and listens to the what the individual children are communicating. My children have been able to explore and learn about the world around them in a safe and loving environment. I appreciate how the staff teaches the children how to take care of themselves both emotionally and physically. My second grader still eats her protein first from her school lunch, which is just one example of how she learned to take care of her body. What I have cherished the most is the sense of community that Stumptown Kids have instilled in my children. The school does this on a personal level by providing the tools for the children to support each other; and on the local level the school does this by taking neighborhood walks and regular visits to a nearby senior living community. The school itself is a beautiful space. Jennifer Loring, the owner, has taken great care to design a school that feels both welcoming and fun."

"When searching for a preschool for my daughter I knew it would be hard to find a good fit for my super strong-willed, stubborn and sometimes hard to manage child. But Stumptown Kids and the teachers there were exactly what we needed. The owner Jenn, knew exactly how to teach and nurture her in a way that suited her needs. And mine! I felt such relief to find a place that I felt confident sending my child to. The school itself is a great space, with a nice back yard, an art studio and lots of toys/tools that foster growth and learning for all types of children. At the end of my daughter’s two years there I was so sad to move on. Fortunately my son gets to attend Stumptown Kids now and I’m so glad to be a part of this community once again. And bonus...the school now provides super delicious and healthy food for every child. Makes it nice to not worry about packing food that my child probably won’t eat anyway. Stumptown Kids Rocks!"

"My son is in his second year at Stumptown Kids and my husband and I have been very thankful to have stumbled upon this gem of a preschool. Prior to Stumptown he had been in a great in-home care situation, and in searching for a school I was hoping to find a place that he could transition into well. Jenn's school really fit that bill for us in so many ways because of their intimate smaller size, focus on community and arts, and genuinely kind and compassionate teachers. Our son has some communication and speech delay issues that have not always been easy for us or the teachers to work through, but we have always felt like Jenn is on the same team with us, trying to problem solve on how to help him along. I have also appreciated the sense of community she instills. There are frequent events and outings that parents are always invited to join - sometimes involving bus rides on Trimet, which is a fun adventure for the kids! I could go on, but the bottom line is that we have loved this place and its teachers for the foundation it has provided for our son and recommend it very highly."

"Stumptown Kids has been an amazing place for my daughter to go to preschool. It is such a warm and nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on helping the child to be as capable and self sufficient as possible. Jenn Loring and the other wonderful teachers have created a community within the preschool that is rock solid and the support and care for each child is unmistakable. The art room is amazing with tons of fun and creative supplies, sensory activities and is a magical place for a child to explore. Interactive storytellers, performers and other "guest stars" come by regularly to entertain and engage the kids. There is a charming outdoor area complete with hammocks that the kids snuggle in together when they are feeling mellow, as well as trees to climb, a sturdy wooden play structure that is well loved and a gravel pit area to have dinosaur fights. It has been such a gift that this was Ruby's first school experience and the bar has been set very high!"

"I don't think I can be emphatic enough when I say that we love Stumptown Kids! I have two children, both of whom attended Stumptown Kids, and they and I couldn't be happier with their experience. Jenn, the founder and lead teacher of the school, truly has a gift for connecting with young children and their parents, alike. She has created a true community, where respect for children is paramount. Children are taught constructive ways to communicate their needs to each other and to adults. Problem solving is a cornerstone of the curriculum, which has served my children wonderfully in their experiences outside of preschool. Jenn makes sure that each month a guest storyteller, singer, yoga teacher, speaker from friends of trees, etc. visits the classroom to expand each student's world outside of the classroom. It is a truly magical place for children!"