Cedar Hills Kindergarten and Preschool is
Enrolling Now!
Spaces are available in our afternoon 3s/4s class, and limited availability in Kindergarten!
Exploring the Benefits of Mixed-Age Preschool
At Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Preschool, we embrace the concept of mixed-age classrooms as it offers a myriad of benefits for children's development. One advantage of mixed-age preschool is the opportunity for younger children to learn from their older peers. Older children often exhibit leadership skills, empathy, and patience when guiding younger ones through activities, fostering a sense of responsibility and boosting their own self-esteem.
Another benefit is the promotion of social skills and cooperation among children of different ages. Interacting with peers who have varied experiences and abilities encourages empathy, communication, and cooperation, essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Mixed-age groups also enable children to learn at their own pace, promoting individualized learning and allowing each child to progress based on their unique abilities and interests.
Starting at age 3 in the program allows students to maintain a connection with a trusted teacher for multiple years, promoting a sense of security and continuity in learning. Finally, parents benefit from a range of parenting experiences within the community, providing support, guidance, and a reflective space on their child's educational journey.
A mixed-age preschool setting at Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Preschool provides an enriching environment where children can learn from one another, develop crucial social skills, and grow both academically and emotionally.
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Cedar Hills Preschool and Kindergarten Community
Parents take an active role in the classroom and are involved in all aspects of their child's learning experience. As a result, the relationship between families and our school extend far beyond the playground. The sense of community between teachers, parents, and children creates a nurturing, caring space for young minds to grow, tender hearts to open and an inspired life to begin.
Play-Based Learning in Portland
The joy and instinctive sense of wonder and delight that play brings validates it as the most central, natural, and important aspect of childhood. Believing in a play-based philosophy is simply accepting that children naturally engage in and enjoy play as a means of learning on their terms, in their own way, and at their own pace. Part of having a long history in the community means that our adult alumni return with their children. We have some families that have attended CHKP for three and four generations.
Our Programs
When your child walks into our school, they are free to explore and create in classrooms that are alive with possibility. We provide an experience that nurtures core values such as kindness, friendship and compassion. Creative opportunities in the classroom, garden and playground inspire young spirits. This connection and sense of community gives little learners the security they need to stretch their wings and experience the joy and wonder of childhood.
New for ‘24-25 School Year!
Mixed Age Class (3’s and 4’s)
Wednesday, Friday
1 - 3:30 pm
Age 3 by September 1
Threes
Tuesday, Thursday
9 AM — 11:30 AM
We know that children learn best at this age by doing. They are explorers actively interested in learning about the world around them and constructing new understanding through experimentation and play. We support this by providing classrooms with engaging learning environments.
Fours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9 AM — 11:30 AM
The preschool years are also a time of tremendous social growth; therefore, much attention is paid to the development of positive social skills. Many activities are designed to encourage social interactions and cooperative play. Caring adults are nearby to help children learn how to get a turn or how to resolve conflicts.
Kindergarten
Monday — Friday
9 AM — 1 PM
The learning environment of the Cedar Hills Kindergarten invites the children to participate in concrete experiences that help them learn concepts and develop academic skills while encouraging curiosity and exploration. Our program offers a balance of cognitive work and creative play.
60+
Years together in Portland
We're proud of our reputation as one of one of the most highly-regarded early childhood programs in the Portland area. Our rich history of cooperative learning has been a tradition for over 60 years. Part of having a long history in the community means that our adult alumni return with their children, some of which have attended CHKP for three and four generations.
4:1
child to adult ratio
Our cooperative learning community brings together children, parents, and teachers in meaningful play. We develop collaborative relationships and explore environments, experiences, and activities that encourage curiosity and wonder. We value who children are, celebrate their unique gifts, believe in their capabilities, encourage their interests, and honor their feelings.
Our Incredible Cedar Hills Teachers
Our teachers are carefully selected for their training and experience, as well as for their commitment to working collaboratively with parents to enrich the early-childhood years.
Linda
Linda Romanowski is masterful at developing strong relationships with her students, fostering independence and self-regulation, facilitating peer conflict resolution and enabling the children to solve problems. Her kindergarten curriculum is child-centered, academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate. She offers academic opportunities within a playful context, hearing the ideas and passions of her students and creating educational instruction that meets the needs of each child.
Lora
Lora Dierker builds classroom curriculum that draws on her love of music and the outdoors to bond and educate her students, sharing fun and educational music, practicing yoga with the children and utilizing hikes, gardening and outdoor adventures as educational tools. Conflicts in her classroom are met with calm guidance and her focus on teaching conflict resolution leaves her students with solid skills that will benefit them far beyond preschool.
Justine
Justine Saffir is our newest teacher. Although new to CHKP, Justine is definitely not new to teaching or to co-op schools. A co-op kid herself, she has spent the past 35 years teaching children and parents at co-op schools in California. Justine is known for her playful nature, her rich child-centered (and often messy) curriculum, her love of science and nature, and her passion for teaching children to be kind.
“A lot of people comment that they can spot a co-op kid in an elementary school classroom because of the confident and respectful way they approach conflict.”
LAURA BRADY
“This place is magical! We love participating in the classroom and being a key part of our child’s learning experience.”
TERESA LAI
“I never expected an early-years school to have such a positive impact on our kids and family life, but our time with the teachers and community at CHKP has been incredible.”
TOM PACYK
“CHKP has been a resource of knowledge and support, and we have benefitted as a family because of our time here.”
KIMBERLEE BAKER
Nondiscrimination Statement:
Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Preschool admits students of any race, color, creed, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. CHKP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Contact List
Please fill out the form below to be added to our enrollment inquiry list and connect with our Registration Team.