urbanMamas Portland

I have a 3 year old daughter and a 2 month old son and had a chance to see the daycare recently. It is close to my house and very cute. The living room is set up with lots of different activities including a reading area,  a kids computer and an exercise bicycle for the kids. The second room has a train set, a puppet theatre and an area for art projects. They have a wonderful outdoor backyard with a play structure and a Teepee. I had a chance to meet both daycare providers. There were only 7 kids there and they have 10 kids so the ratio seems very good. My son is in a preschool right now with one teacher and 10 kids and it is too hectic. The daycare goes on field trips and also offers organic foods. It is a small daycare but we really enjoyed the coziness. We are planning to sign up our 3 year old. They don't accept newborns until the summer. hope that helps.

Sarah B

Wee Works gets a lot of calls from mams who found us here and are looking for our website.  It is here:  http://weeworks.googlepages.com  Feel free to call us at 503.335.8319 to schedule a visit for you and your child.  We do have a waiting list for fall 2008, so it's a good idea to check us out early.

Nestled in Portland's Hollywood district, Wee Works provides a stimulating, nurturing, age-appropriate environment where children explore, question and play.  We take into account stages of child development and treat cognitive, social, emotional and physical development as interdependent and equally important.  Wee Works welcomes children and families of all backgrounds.

We are located in the old Hollywood Library building.  We provide care for potty-trained children between the ages of two-and-a-half and six.  Our hours are 7:00 to 5:30.  There is limited space available; please call to arrange a tour with our director, Pat van der Werf. 

A co-worker raved about the nanny she hired to take care of her school-aged boys over the summer. When I found myself in need of last-minute babysitting for my girls this weekend (all weekend), she gave me her number. Ariel was wonderful -- warm, smart, ultra-capable and she really "gets" kids. We all fell in love with her. She's looking for weekend work to get the 1-acre organic farm she's starting off the ground. She can also do housecleaning and cooking while she cares for the kids. She's available at all hours on the weekend, and can babysit from 5:30 to 9:30-ish on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She's really hoping for a regular weekend gig.  If anyone's interested, her e-mail is arielgailmaclean@yahoo.com; 360-936-5766. She can provide extensive references, or you can contact me, Danielle, at dcentoni@yahoo.com.

                                        Apple Blossom Open House

                                                  Apple Blossom Nursery School
                                                                   Open house

Please join us Saturday, March 1st.
For our biannual open house. Please come to meet the staff, see our beautiful space & learn about our unique program.
Please sign up for a time. One time slot is 10-10:50 & the other is from 11-12 Saturday.

• We are state registered & certified & a “Green” Daycare (no pesticides, harmful, chemicals or cleaners, & use only organic food).
• We are a media free space with only Mother Nature as our greatest source of inspiration & your child's natural curiosity. Your child will be surrounded by natural beauty, gentle hands, warm hearts & soothing daily rhythm.
• We will sing, play, & explore each day.
• The surroundings are inspiring & open ended with toys like, silks, wooden toys felted animals, & home made toys.
• We will bake, clean, garden & play our day away! We will go outside (rain or shine) daily as well.
• We provide the most nutritious & organic foods only! We cook snacks & lunch each day.
• We will also lovingly potty train your child when they are ready.
• We are enrolling right now & for the summer & fall. Your child must be 3 by mid August.
  
  Please email Carrie at her email address below & check out her web site. Its takes a few moments to load, so be patient.

Warmly,

Carrie Riley owner/director

CRileyteach@aol.com

www.appleblossomschool.com 

I am looking for another part-time working mommy to share childcare with in October.  I know this is early, but I wanted to get an idea of who else is looking for a similar situation. In October, my daughter will be 2 and I will also have a newborn. I am looking to work 2-3 days a week and on my days off watch your children (or child) while you work in exchange for you watching mine while I work. I would love someone who has a child that is a similar age to my daughter and who loves to spend time outdoors. Please email me if you are interested and we can talk about details to see if we are a match!

Ali
aligator66@yahoo.com

Hi,

I am looking for in home daycare for my baby being born this March.  I would need full time daycare preferably in someones home for my infant come mid to end of June.  I would also look into a nanny who wants to come to my home to look after my baby as well.  I live in SW Portland near the Terwilliger exit so having daycare around this neighborhood would be preferable but anything close to me or kind of close would be fine as well.  You can contact me at zasu33@yahoo.com if anyone knows of a good daycare or can provide any help to me I would appreciate it.  Thank You!

Noelle

I need to be in Seattle on Friday for a work function in downtown Seattle that is from noon to 2, and the day care arrangements I had made for my 2-yo to cover us for this time have fallen thru.  I've found 2 drop-in centers in Seattle, but they're 'way the heck inconveniently located...  Does anyone know a trustworthy babysitter in Seattle either on the south side or, miraculously, downtown somewhere who could watch my lovely daughter for a partial day? 

Hello:  We'd like to place our daughter in Chiquitos summer camp program.  Willing to drive another girl, age 5-6 to camp and back to the Woodstock area of SE.  Please let me know if you're interested!

Thanks!

Hello!  Seeking help with afterschool care for 5 year old on Tue/Wed/Thur of each week, 4-6:30 p.m.  Will pay $10 per hour.  Please have references and live in the area. Thanks!

I am looking for a Montessori-light or a preschool that combines Montessori with Waldorf or Reggio Emilia philosophies. I like aspects of Montessori for my daughter (mixed ages, self-directed activities) but I'm looking for more creativity and imagination in her experience as well. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially in the Beaverton area?

Stacy Desmond
stacy.desmond@gmail.com

Hi mamas-

I am wondering if anyone knows of (or has) any teenagers in the Irvington/NE area that are up for babysitting - or if anyone knows of any sitters in the general area that have their own transportation. In my mind, I am picturing a neighborhood kid who needs some extra money and can babysit after school, or some evenings and weekends. Someone non-teenaged would also be fine- but i am honestly looking for the hourly price bracket that generally encompasses younger sitters. I just moved from SE, and my babysitter is tres fantastique, but now she lives suuuper far away (Woodstock-ish) and she doesn't drive. If anyone would like her info, or has some info to share with me, please email Sadie Rose at sadiedeluxe@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Hello,

Is anyone familiar with Black Cap preschool in SW Portland? I came across a posting that the owner placed on Craigslist, but the link to email her is not working, and I can't find any other contact information for the school online. If anyone has any info about the school or knows how I might contact them, I'd appreciate your help.

Thanks!

Cheryl

cmeehan@orangewing.com

My four-year-old son has been in a day care center for the last couple years, and it has become apparent that it is time for a change.  The director has recommended something smaller, where he can get more individual attention.  Which means that we're looking for day care - ugh.  We need something full-time Monday-Friday, and preferably soon.  At this point I'll consider just about any option, as long as it makes sense for my son.  Ideally I would like something in North Portland or close-in NE, but again, we'll be flexible to find the right environment.  If anyone has any suggestions or knows of openings or availability of any kind (centers, home-based, nannies?), I would really appreciate the help.  We've lived here in Portland for two years and while the city is starting to feel like home, I feel like a real newbie going through this kind of search.
I can be contacted via email at kpetersnm@yahoo.com.
Thanks in advance for anyone that can help or offer advice!
Karen

We're lucky to have a sitter but sometimes she's busy. We're looking for a babysitter who can drive and is OK with "late" nights (like finishing at 11pm-ish and sometimes on weeknights) and doesn't charge a lot. Usually, our 2 kids (4 yrs. and 7 yrs.) are in p.j.'s and need stories read to them. Previous sitters say they stay in bed until they fall asleep. Looking to add a few reliable and kind-hearted babysitters' names to our list for the rare occassion that we both go out! If you know of any who fit this bill, please pass on the good word! Email Teresa at terebachi@yahoo.com.

Hello to all  mama's -parents. my name is amal and i have a beautiful nice and clean very friendly day care. my program is English-french child care i have a nice schedule for kids like time to read and play nap time meal time and more. And i make mostly Mediterranean  homemade food and a lot of organic food .I am a registered with child care division and i have all my trainings also i am a part of child care improvement. please if you have any question call (503)347-1381 or email at-nwamal@hotmail.com

Does anyone have any experiences or knowledge of the Harmony Daycare center in NE PDX (woodlawn/concordia area)?  I can be contacted at cmelanie1@hotmail.com.

Thanks!

Cathedral Park Cooperative Preschool has an open house scheduled Thursday, February 28, 6:30PM.  We will begin accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year at that time.  We will have openings in our junior and senior class, for children age 3 or 4 before September 1.  We're located at 7119 N Portsmouth Ave in the St. Johns area.  Take a look at our website, http://www.cathedralparkpreschool.org/index.html, for more information.  We'd love to see you there.

Anne wants to know:

Does anyone have any experiences they can share about the Mary Cassatt School in SE and the newer one in Laurelhurst?

Hello -

i am a mama of an almost one year old boy. i've watching children for more than half of my life. i have experience with all ages. my son is being raised on an organic vegetarian diet,...mostly wooden toys, cloth diapers, co-sleeping, no tv, etc etc....looking for a family with similar interests who may need childcare once in a while or on a regular basis. i'd prefer a family in SE. i am free Mondays and Fridays, and various other times throughout the week. i'd be happy to come to your house to watch your little one(s).

I am primarily looking for/needing an income, but would be open to an occasional trade.

thanks!

christine@ecosky.com

Please contact:

Kellie Maledy

503.281.0857 / givingtreepreschool@yahoo.com

Or visit our website:

www.givingtreeportland.com

Now accepting applications for immediate and fall enrollment

Meets all state requirements for licensing.
Registered with State Criminal History
Adult/Youth/Infant CPR and First Aid Certification
Food Handlers Card
USDA Food program

I have a 3 month old baby and I have to return to work part-time. It is agonizing trying to find someone to look after our little guy! If anyone has any recommendations or advice, please contact me. We are looking for someone available at least 3 mornings a week, from 7:30-12:30. We'd prefer to find someone who will come to our house, but we are open to other ideas, if it was the right person/situation. We live in SE near 39th and Division.

Thanks!

Anna annawest@gmail.com

Can anyone recommend a child care provider for a 1 yr old, somewhere close to inner NE Portland? Also must be open by 7am. Whether a center, an in-home daycare or an individual babysitter/nanny, I'd love to hear recommendations from all you experienced parents! You can email me at ebuck1@yahoo.com.

Emily

Hi! I am a 25 year old mama to very talkative, outgoing 19 mo. old. We are moving into Vancouver (from downtown PDX) in a few weeks and, at the same time, I am starting to need more time away; looking for more work, possibly starting school this spring, errands, etc...

I'd love to connect with a family who has a similar situation to ours which is: clean, kid-comfortable house, healthy diet/active lifestyle, loooooves to read... and read, and read, and read :-), and is looking for a light childcare swap. I am UBER flexible about days, times, hours, etc. I would just like to know that I had a chunk of time once, MAYBE twice per week where I could start scheduling interviews, boring office errands, yoga classes, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum, I am in a mostly stay-at-home situation. Aurelia (my daughter) is an only child and is really starting to show signs of sociability. I'd love to have an occassional playmate around for her. So, if YOU would like a chunk of time once, MAYBE twice per week where YOU can run errands and whatnot, even if an exchange doesn't work out for you, I'd looove to host your young child at our house. I have seven years of varied childcare experience. I've worked in both public and private day cares, nannied, coached, tutored.

We are just beginning the process of moving right now but once we're settled we'd love to have you over for coffee or tea so you have ample opportunity to look around our house and get a feeling for what kind of environment it is. If you're in the market for a childcare swap, great. If you are looking for childcare, great. We can talk about some extremely reasonable rates. This wouldn't be a "nanny" situation so I wouldn't be thinking about "nanny" rates.

Thanks for your time- this turned out a little longer than I thought it would be. :-) But, this is our situation. If it works out for you, we'd love to hear from you!

Best contacted at meliahm@gmail.com

Best, Meliah and Aurelia

We have an 18-month-old daughter and sadly, our awesome sitter has taken an evening food service job. Looking for a good sitter to watch our child occassionally (weekend evenings, etc). It's a good gig as she usually goes to sleep around 7 pm so often, the sitter just watches TV the whole time. We normally pay 7 an hour and live near Providence Portland. I know good sitters are hard to find - please help!  I would consider a responsible teenager (16 or older).  Email me directly - elaine@girlgonechild.com

You need a break for a few hours on a weekday morning and I need to add two or three children to my day care during playtime.  I watch two children all day, but recently we added a two year old girl who comes over from 9.00 - 12.00 just two days a week. We just love having an extra child here at playtime. Both my regular kids look forward to seeing Addie and it adds so much fun to our playtime.

If you are a working mom or a stay at home mom please call me and we can talk. Days and hours are Tue, Wed, Thu. Anytime between 9.00 AM and 1.00 PM. If you need longer hours we can talk about it.

We do not do any screen time, we eat only good vegetarian food (cooked from scratch) like black beans and rice, steamed carrots, broccoli, okra (yes Okra), green beans and fresh fruit. We have many many books from the library and do a lot of natural imaginative play. I help with potty training too.

Hope to hear from you.

503-231-4309 or e-mail is nanna1933@msn.com

I'm looking for childcare recommendations in SE Portland for fall 2008. My son will be 2 years old then. I live in the Woodstock neighborhood and work near SE 117th and Division. We value attachment parenting, vegetarianism, cloth diapering (I realize many daycares don't take cloth diapers so I'm flexible), healthy eating, creative play and outdoor time. I work Thursdays, Fridays, and every other Wednesday from 8:00 - 3:30. I'm open to a nanny-share if it's the right nanny and a price we can afford. Please email me with any recommendations.

Thanks!
Mariko
marikokino@gmail.com

         Hello to all you mamas out there. I would like to invite you to my open house on February 16th from 1 to 3 pm. Mon Petit Bebe Academie is a English-French child care program. I offer child care for ages 2yrs and older. I am a member of child care improvement project. My program consists of teaching the skills of independence, social interaction while offering fun learning projects. 

Please come and join us this coming Saturday February 16th from 1-3pm. We will have fun art activities for the children and snacks for all. Looking forward to meeting you!

Feel free to call if you have any questions

Amal Swan 503-347-1381

Help!  I'm a former Portland mama currently living in Germany.  I'm going to be back in Portland for a bit for work and I need one week of full time child care for my 2.5 year old.  Preferably in NE Portland.  If anyone has any suggestions you can email me privately at avon.hansen@gmail.com

Thanks

I am a mother of a 3 year old boy who will be ready for preschool in the fall. In the meantime we are expecting a little brother in April and I am searching for somewhere fun and nurturing for my son to play for a day or 2, whole or half days. This place must be certified so that we can be reimbursed through my husband's work for pretax purposes.
We are looking to enroll him in a Waldorf or similar program in the fall and would love to find somewhere in our neighborhood that follows those philosophies- esp, no media. We are not strict about this but it is always our goal.
If you are a caregiver or you know of someone between the Mississippi, Kenton or St Johns areas I would be grateful for your input.
Thanks so much,
Kjirsten at kiki277@earthlink.net

I provide care for a fun little group of friends here in my home right by Emanuel Hospital and the east end of the Fremont Bridge. I have a little friend graduating to preschool and am looking for another little somebody to introduce into my group.

We love to sing and dance, do puzzles, read stories, have puppet shows, do simple art projects and play with all of our toys in our playroom, baby-room and out in our great big back yard as often as weather permits.

I was a nanny for many years before becoming a mom myself and have been providing care here in my home for the last four or so years. I can provide many loving reference.

I am available Monday-Friday 7:45am-5:30pm.
I charge $35/day for toddlers and $40/day for infants.

Please let me know if you are interested,
Rachel (rachalla@hotmail.com)

Rose Hip Preschool is now enrolling for the 2008-2009 school year.

Rose Hip Preschool is a small (6 children) Waldorf inspired preschool operated by Kristin Kresch. Kristin has worked in Waldorf-inspired kindergartens and preschools for the past 6 years and is currently earning her Waldorf Teachers Certificate. She has been providing attentive and loving care for young children for more than fifteen years. CPR/First Aid Certified.

2-day & 4-day programs
for children ages 3-5
Tuesday -Friday
9am - 1pm

Held in a cozy home setting, Rose Hip Preschool infuses the young child's natural process of exploring the world surrounding us with holistic care for each individual's unfolding. Our daily and weekly rhythm includes creative playtime with natural toys, outdoor playtime, gardening, and nature walks, teacher-led morning circle, felt-working, coloring & plant-based watercolor painting, nutritious organic snacks, baking, story telling and puppetry, holiday celebrations & parent gatherings.

Please call or email to learn more and to arrange a visit.
503-283-2612
rosehippreschool@hotmail.com

                                                  Apple Blossom Nursery School
                                                                   Open house

Please join us Saturday, March 1st.
For our biannual open house. Please come to meet the staff, see our beautiful space & learn about our unique program.
Please sign up for a time. One time slot is 10-10:50 & the other is from 11-12 Saturday.

• We are state registered & certified & a “Green” Daycare (no pesticides, harmful, chemicals or cleaners, & use only organic food).
• We are a media free space with only Mother Nature as our greatest source of inspiration & your child's natural curiosity. Your child will be surrounded by natural beauty, gentle hands, warm hearts & soothing daily rhythm.
• We will sing, play, & explore each day.
• The surroundings are inspiring & open ended with toys like, silks, wooden toys felted animals, & home made toys.
• We will bake, clean, garden & play our day away! We will go outside (rain or shine) daily as well.
• We provide the most nutritious & organic foods only! We cook snacks & lunch each day.
• We will also lovingly potty train your child when they are ready.
• We are enrolling right now & for the summer & fall. Your child must be 3 by mid August.
  
  Please email Carrie at her email address below & check out her web site. Its takes a few moments to load, so be patient.

Warmly,

Carrie Riley owner/director

CRileyteach@aol.com

www.appleblossomschool.com 

Apple Blossom Nursery School
SE Main St. 97214

An all-outdoor Waldorf Kindergarten modeled after existing European schools.
An adventure in which children deeply experience each season on 7 acres at Tryon Life Community Farm and almost 700 acres of surrounding forest in SW Portland. 
Open House and Information Session Saturday Feb. 9, 2008  11:30am-12:30pm in the Community Room at People's Co-op (1 block N of Powell on SE 21st)
If you have any questions, please call Kelly @ 503-944-9312 or Molly @ 503-503-840-5723 or send an email to talonyarrow@yahoo.com
Thank you and many blessings!

Hiya.  I am a nanny looking for a little input on rates and policies.  I am currently doing what amounts to a anny-share with three families.  Most of the hours are separate time for each family, there are a few times a week when I have two or three kids together.  I am a little unsure about what the most reasonable way to do this is.  Currently I charge $10 per hour, $12 for two kids from the same family, and $7 per child when there are kids from different families.  But this leaves me wondering if the family with two kids deserves a discount when there is a third child present, and I'm not sure because they already pay only $6 per child for two and I can't imagine going lower. I actually think I may be undercharging that family for the two kids, when I think two is worth more than an extra $2 a hour.  Some of the families make more money, one makes less, and I have considered a sliding rate.  I care a lot about all of these mamas (they are my friends) and all of these four little girls. And I need to make a living.  I am 32 years old and have great references and tons of experience (babysitting since I was 13, nannying on and off my whole adult life).

All the information I've found online about this stuff is from other cities, so I can't be sure the rate stuff is applicable, since it looks like rates are higher in the Bay Area and Seattle.

Another question:  What should the policy be for sick kids when I am not employed on a salary basis?  Should I still get paid when the kids are sick?  Seems clear I need to minimize the risk of myself or any other kids catching stuff, so I shouldn't care for sick kids, although I am pretty comfortable doing it most of the time.

Lastly, if anyone reading this is interested in being available as a substitute for me, I'd love to have someone to call when I need a day or two off or get sick myself.  You must have a car, good references, and love energetic little girls ages 3-6.

Thanks so much!!

Our little girl is 3 years old, witty, and loves reading, music and creative play. She's great with other children, especially older kids. Also great with animals, especially cats though we have a dog in the house. We're looking for someone who can commit through the summer, as we plan to enroll in full-time preschool in the fall.  A big bonus: someone who speaks Spanish, as we're teaching her now and have lots of books, music and movies in Spanish. There's a possibility of needing care on Fridays as well, for half or full day. Ideally we would host the care at our house (in SE, near Hawthorne), but would be happy to share sites. If you are interested please contact me.

Dena
dmarshall29@yahoo.com

Creative Minds Learning Centers offers smaller classrooms in State licensed private schools for children ages 24 months- 5 years in the Portland metro area. We are progressive, healthy and artistic with a structured educational program. No televisions or media, just hands on exploration in stimulating environments. Our Gateway school exclusively offers a Private Kindergarten Program. We are accepting applications for Fall programs for our Woodstock and Broadway schools. Our Gateway school has a couple spaces available and is currently running a special offer for the new classroom we opened (please call for details)!
Check Us Out At: http://www.CREATIVEMINDSLEARNINGCENTER.com

Please come visit us at our Open House on 2/23 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (at our Gateway and Woodstock schools).

Call with questions or to schedule Your Families Meet and Greet: (503) 252-0004 ext. 1

Rowanberry School will host our annual Open House on Saturday, February 9th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Your family is warmly invited to come meet the teachers and explore Rowanberry School, where children ages 3 to 6 joyfully connect with their world through art, story, song, yoga, and seasonal celebrations.

Children are welcome!

Rowanberry School is a state certified program with licensed teachers. Kindergarten is also available.

For more information, or to RSVP for the Open House, please contact Angela at (503) 750-7607,
or visit our website at www.rowanberryschool.com

Hello mamas and families,
My name is Jackie and I, along with my almost 2 year old very sweet daughter, am searching for a family in need of a loving nanny.  I am a teacher by trade, but have decided to pack up my classroom to stay home and raise our daughter.  I have 5 years teaching experience (Kindergarten and 1st Grade), have loads of babysitting experience for children of all ages, as well as plenty of tutoring experience.  I spent the last year nannying part time for a family with 2 children (ages 4 and 8), but have determined I need to work more along the lines of 30-40 hours.  I am open to finding one family who needs more full time care or piecing together two families who need just part time.

Some things that I value with regards to my family and children in general...the outdoors and nature, reading, lots of reading, art, music and singing (I am very good at making up cheesy, goofy songs to distract and entertain), creative play, laughing, eating healthy, and living sustainably.  My daughter is a bright, sweet little girl who loves other children.  We have been raising her with a very attachment oriented approach.

If you are in need of a nanny (with a cute bonus sidekick!) and would like to talk with me more, please email when you have a moment @ jackielou314@yahoo.com.  I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Jackie

WoodHaven School, a Waldorf-inspired, media-free cooperative preschool in Beaverton (near 217 & Canyon), is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year. Families interested in visiting the school are invited to an open house on Monday, February 11, from 6-8 pm. You can also call 503-520-0807 to set up a tour.

For more information about WoodHaven School, please visit our website at:

www.woodhavenschool.com

Portland area.  I need a part time nanny that can work in the early morning (7 or 7:30am to about 9am) to take my son to preschool and then pick him up in the afternoon and take him home.  I'm looking for someone who can drive and has a lot of energy.  Someone who likes to play, do arts and crafts, listen to music and who will feed him breakfast and dinner and get him ready for bed.  Ideally it would be about 6 hours a day total. Also if you speak English and Spanish that would be great.  Please email me at Jenniferluther@sbcglobal.net if you are interested or know of someone who's available.

Thank you!