Business Details
11 Years
experience
Your Trusted Cooperative Preschool in Portland, OR
Pea Pod Playschool is an intentional learning environment that combines the challenges of daily parenting with active adult education. We support parents in developing into calm, clear, confident leaders their children need to feel safe and secure. Our program serves families with children aged 18 months to 5 years, emphasizing social-emotional wellbeing through exploration, play, and community building. Founded in 2015, we create brave, authentic spaces for families to grow together while fostering the next generation of change-makers.Our team includes certified educators with expertise in trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, and child development. We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all members feel seen, heard, and valued. Through cooperative learning, we empower parents to become their children's first teachers while building lasting community connections.
Services
Cooperative Preschool
Parent Coaching
Community Building
Play-Based Learning
Social-Emotional Development
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer a cooperative learning environment for parents and children.
- Our team includes certified educators with trauma-informed care expertise.
- We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all programming.
- We provide parent coaching and adult education alongside childcare.
- Our curriculum combines Waldorf and Reggio Emilia teaching philosophies.
What people say
Amazing co-op program
Patient parent coaching
Clean organized spaces
Social emotional training
Lifelong friendships formed
Services
Cooperative Preschool
Our cooperative preschool model engages parents as active participants in their child's education. Families attend classes together, learning social-emotional skills through structured play and guided activities. The program emphasizes community building, with parents supporting each other under professional guidance.
Parent Coaching
Certified parent coaches provide personalized guidance on child development and communication strategies. Sessions focus on building confidence in parenting through trauma-informed approaches and evidence-based techniques. Coaches model effective interactions during classroom activities.
Play-Based Learning
Our curriculum uses play as the primary vehicle for learning. Children develop fine and gross motor skills through sensory activities, art projects, and outdoor exploration. Structured routines balance free play with guided experiences that promote emotional regulation and social skills.
Community Building
We foster connections between families through shared responsibilities and social events. Parents collaborate on classroom activities and playground maintenance, creating lasting relationships. The program cultivates a support network where families share experiences and resources.
Social-Emotional Development
Specialized programming focuses on developing emotional intelligence in young children. Activities teach feeling identification, conflict resolution, and empathy-building. Parents learn to validate emotions and create environments that support mental health foundations.
People
Tara
Founder/Parent Coach
Founder of Pea Pod Playschool with 10 years of experience in parenthood education. Holds a degree in Landscape Architecture and certifications in Waldorf-Reggio Emilia methodologies. Specializes in trauma-informed care and emotional healing.
Jasmine
Parent Coach
Early childhood educator with 6 years of experience in play-based learning. Graduated from University of Oregon with degrees in Political Science and Psychology. Focuses on cultural inclusivity and conflict resolution in education.
Morgan
Assistant Executive Director
Manages administrative operations with a background in human relations. Holds an MBA from Seattle University. Oversees family enrollment and staff training programs at Pea Pod Playschool.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 18 months to 5 years through our cooperative preschool program.
How does the parent involvement work?
Parents attend classes with their children and participate in shared responsibilities like meal preparation and classroom maintenance.
What teaching philosophies do you use?
Our program combines Waldorf and Reggio Emilia approaches with trauma-informed care principles.
Are there opportunities for community building?
Yes, we foster connections through shared activities, playground projects, and parent support networks.
What certifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes Wunderled-certified educators, Mandatory Reporters, and specialists in early childhood development.
How do you support social-emotional development?
We use play-based learning to teach emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and empathy-building techniques.
