Our Program

Our year-round mixed-age program uses a Waldorf-based curriculum developed by another Pacific Northwest-based in-home childcare program, Wondergarten Early Childhood. Their seasonal curriculum includes weekly stories, songs, activities, and cooking projects based around a community of friendly gnomes, faeries and forest creatures.

In addition to this wonderful curriculum, our program also has a strong emphasis on child-led learning. Because we are a mixed-age group, we explore the children’s interests at many different developmental levels. This creates the opportunity for older children to model skills for the younger ones, and for the younger children to try new and challenging skills with the support of their teachers and peers.

For more information on specific programming for each age group, see below.

12-24 Months

Wobbler and Toddler students at AVS are at the beginning of a very exciting journey! Children in this age group benefit from the guidance and modeling of their teachers and older classmates, who provide the encouragement needed to reach every huge developmental milestone that happens during this magical year of childhood. Our littlest friends enjoy themed sensory and art play that draws from our school-wide curriculum, modified to be developmentally-appropriate and deeply enriching for their growing skills, with flexibility to adjust lessons and follow the child’s lead in their learning. Gross and fine motor exploration activities support their physical development, coordination and confidence as they move and play. Our mixed-age model creates many opportunities for prosocial skill-building as our toddlers watch and learn how to collaborate with others, build friendships, understand feelings, and resolve conflicts.

2-3 Years

Our two- and three-year-olds are beginning to explore their newfound independence, and are deepening their engagement with peers, learning curriculum and the environment. During this time, they may show readiness for potty training, develop strong language skills, and begin to understand and communicate more about their emotional inner lives. At AVS, our preschool-age group gets to explore their growing independence and navigate peer interactions, with caregivers providing guidance when needed to support skill-building. At this age, we see growing social relationships with peers and caregivers alike, often resulting in cooperative play through roleplay, group games, and collaborative art exploration. As part of the social and physical leaps made by our Twos and Threes, they learn more about the world around them and naturally deepen their connection to our curriculum. This real-world experience is supported by practical life activities such as baking, social storytelling, playacting, and utilizing creative arts tools.

4-5 Years

Older students in our mixed-age group, Four and Five year-olds, have a big task as the leaders of our community! They begin to show proficiency in self-care skills such as toileting, hand-washing, and the care of both their personal items and our space. At this age, the children enjoy the opportunity to work alongside their teachers, where they assist in practical life tasks that contribute to the care of our school community. Our big kids are also excited to participate in weekly cooking projects to help make special snacks for the group. As partners in learning, Fours and Fives explore our curriculum more fully than their younger counterparts and even add their own ideas, experiences and skills to our daily lessons. They expand their social-emotional comprehension, fine and gross motor function, and cognitive development as they engage in activities like embroidery, sculpting, planting, and paper crafting. This age focuses on Kindergarten readiness not solely in academics, but also through practice in leadership, self-exploration and conflict resolution, preparing them to thrive in the next chapter of their story once they leave our program.

 Connect With Us

  • 3440 Southeast Holgate Boulevard Unit A, Portland, Oregon 97202

    Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm

  • avalonvillageschool@gmail.com

    (503) 387-9258

  • If you’re interested in touring Avalon Village School, please fill out our interest form and we will be in touch to schedule your family’s visit!