Many families face systemic barriers to providing the safe, nurturing environments children need to reach their potential. Pearl Buck Preschool provides high-quality early education and family support that foster children's development and empower parents/guardians to build stable, resilient households.
Pearl Buck Center's Preschool holds a five-star rating, the highest possible, from Oregon's SPARK Quality Rating and Improvement System. SPARK is Oregon's statewide program that evaluates the quality of early childhood care and education.
At Pearl Buck Center, we use Creative Curriculum for our lesson planning. The Creative Curriculum helps children learn through play and discovery. Designed for children ages 3–5, it supports growth in all areas; social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. Through hands-on projects and guided exploration, children build creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond.
In addition, our approach is trauma-informed lens, which emphasizes understanding each child's cultural, family, and community context to guide learning experiences. We also integrate strengths-based practices, recognizing and building on each child's individual talents, interests.
Classes are Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 3:00
Low Ratios is the classroom 13:3
Example schedule:
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast and Morning Welcome
Children arrive, enjoy a healthy breakfast, and settle in for the day.
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Circle Time
Group songs, stories, and discussions help build community and social skills.
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Art or Sensory Project
Children explore creativity through hands-on, open-ended materials.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Outdoor Play
Active play and exploration promote physical development and teamwork.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lunch
A nutritious, family-style meal following USDA guidelines.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Rest/Nap Time
A calm, quiet period for rest and recharging.
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Quiet Activities
Books, puzzles, and individual play in a peaceful setting.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Learning Centers
Children choose from a variety of centers to explore their interests.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Snack Time
A healthy snack and time to refuel for the afternoon.
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Learning Centers & Closing
Continued exploration and reflection before heading home and abilities to foster a positive sense of self and maximize learning potential.
Pearl Buck Preschool adheres to USDA Child Nutrition Program guidelines, providing well-balanced, nutritious meals and snacks that support children's healthy growth and development.
A typical day's menu at Pearl Buck Preschool might include:
- Breakfast: Whole-grain ham and cheese breakfast burrito, ½ cup of berries, and 6 oz. of 1% milk.
- Lunch: ½ cup of macaroni and cheese, 1 oz. of pulled pork, ¼ cup of cucumbers, ¼ cup of orange slices, and 6 oz. of 1% milk.
- Snack: ¼ cup of apples and ¼ cup of celery sticks.
Children are encouraged to explore and try new foods, but are never forced or required to eat any particular item. We believe food should always be associated with positive experiences; therefore, food is never used as a reward or withheld to encourage a child to try or finish another food. Children are encouraged to listen to their bodies and eat until they feel satisfied.
Mealtime is more than just eating—it's a time for children and adults to connect, share, and enjoy being together. We use this time to build community, encourage conversation, and celebrate inclusion and joy.
