I am pretty sure the best decision I've made for my 4 year old son is sending him to the Funny…read moreFarm! The teachers regularly emulate kindness and a sense of community all while using humor and teaching real-life skills. I am amazed at how my wild son has changed and grown after just a few months here. Teachers Marcy, Chris and Laura are so dedicated to their 'herd' and really go above and beyond. I can't imagine a better stepping stone to prep my kid for kindergarten. We feel so lucky to have found this gem!

Where do I start? Sooo many good things to say!…read more I simply cannot imagine a better preschool. The teachers are simply the most wonderful, creative, loving people you could ever want to have teaching your child. My daughter just graduated and will miss Funny Farm immensely. I can honestly say she loved every day she spent "on the Farm". Marcy, Laura, Sarah, Heather and Kris are really great ladies who pour their hearts into making a safe, loving, creative, and very very stimulating, educational and fun environment for the kids every day. And I mean every day! My only regret is that we didn't discover Funny Farm earlier so my son could have attended as well.

Weird - the google reviews for this place are turn off? I have not seen that before and it is…read moresuspect. Like what happen that we do not know about? We were 4th grade family in 2026. We dropped it after a season. It is well meaning, charming, safe and dilligent. But it wasn't for us. It is dusty, no-lunch provided, classrooms without windows and a lil' more structured than PPS (which we liked). You could tell that the teachers had a bit more freedom and less supervision. A lot of students with no shoes and they use the park next door all day. I not sure I am entirely okay with this park use everyday by every class thing. If the local tire shop used the park as part of their buissness model people would be up in arms. I was assuming they used it like three times a week. They use it like six times a day (the entire school). PPS is an insane asslume 20% of the time in their Elementry Schools. Seriously their are fight, diapers, crying and threats everyday. But this wasn't the fix that we thought it would be. The teachers seemed a lil' oblvious and had just a little bit of a lower level of professnalism - one example was when a second grade class exited they would sing a group spirit song. Very charming. First two weeks the kids played along and it was cute. But the following months the students gradually lost interest and stoped singing. But the teacher didn't look back when leading the line or seem to notice on any level. She had her back to the children. The students were rolling their eyes, drifting and struggling. It was a bit smug and not responsable to have not be looking more closely. It also added to the mayhem of their pick-up process. They gave zero care to how that would work and wildeness they were contributing to. Worse drop off and pickup process I have experienced. It was heavy lifting picking up the child. It got so wild and noisy that I was being knocked into everyday - so I backed up a bit (like 30'). So the teacher had to tell me that I was to far away. It is a bit of a Portland hippy scene. Sweet and well meaning. There was a lot of parents not dressed for the weather, the grounds were very muddy, whole vibe was worn out in tone. Not a lot of acknowledgment for working parents. It is time involved. We tried - it just had to be measurably better than PPS if we were going to pay for it. It wasn't.

This is a wonderful school and community with incredible teachers. If you are looking for an…read moreeducation that is deeply invested in children's imagination, embodiment, nervous system regulation, compassion, care, and creativity, I highly recommend checking this school out. Our family has been part of the school since my children began in the outdoor kindergarten, and over the years I've found it to be such a grounded, nourishing way for them to learn. They've developed strong social skills, a deep relationship with nature, and the ability to co-create with others through joy and play. The school beautifully nurtures their way of seeing and being in community, service, and connection. Not only do they cultivate curiosity, but children also learn musical instruments, work with their hands, dance and move, study Japanese language and culture, and engage in rich practices of storytelling and listening. We've participated in amazing field trips to places like Ekone Ranch, the Salmon Ceremony at Oxbow, service trips to the food bank, and more. The kids also participate in Nature Immersion Fridays, where they build and explore in creeks, rivers, and forests--co-creating with friends while learning practical outdoor skills and environmental identification. This is truly a beloved school, and one I highly recommend visiting to see if it's the right fit for your family.

My three year old had no previous school or childcare experience before Woodhaven, so we were…read moreanxious at how she would adjust to being separated and in a new environment. She has absolutely flourished during her first year in this co-op preschool. She finds joy and confidence in the daily rhythm, open free play and time in the forest. Seeing her smiling face at pick up, which is often covered with mud from a fun filled day outside, is such a gift. Watercoloring, baking bread, making candles, learning beautiful songs and stories that celebrate the seasons and encourage connection to nature are just a handful of things that make up the daily rhythm. Most of all, we feel grateful that the majority of time at school is spent outside with exceptionally kind and inclusive teachers and children. We love being part of the co-op and her education. Five stars all day long to this beautiful school!

Our family has absolutely loved being part of this forest preschool co-op. This is our second year…read moreand we are planning to continue next year when my youngest turns three. It's rare to find a place where children are not only supported, but truly seen--and that's exactly what Ms. Melynda and Ms. Erika bring to this community. They bring such kindness, compassion, and a sense of magic to every day. The gentle, Waldorf-inspired traditions--seasonal songs, nature stories, and rhythmic routines--create a warm, grounding environment the children absolutely thrive in. There is plenty of time and space for free play, and it's incredible to see how creative and imaginative the kids become in an outdoor classroom without toys. Nature provides everything they need. They teach respect for animals, plants, and all living things in the most natural, heartfelt ways. A bug rescue, a quiet moment under a tree, or caring for the forest together becomes part of how the children learn to move through the world with empathy and wonder. We feel incredibly grateful for this community and these teachers who make the forest feel like a second home for our child. Highly highly recommend!

I have returned to working for ChildRoots for the last two years. Since my return, I have had a…read morewonderful experience. I started back again as a Teacher then moved into the role of Specialist. Management has the best interests of the teachers in mind and strives to improve working experience daily. The main reason I have decided to work with ChildRoots is a) the management and b) the philosophy. I truly believe that children learn best through hands-on experience and exploration of their own interests. Many of the staff are some of the best people I have ever worked with (shout out to the amazing, dedicated team). I will shortly be leaving to continue my education, but I would stay if I could continue working with these amazing teachers and admin. As they say, "You don't quit a place. You quit your boss," and that's why I have returned and have dedicated myself to continue working with ChildRoots until I return to school.

Admin tell you to text them when you need help and then you do and you get in trouble. They play…read morefavorites with teachers, they never give you support no matter how much you ask. When you do ask for support they make you feel like you're in the wrong. Admin has gone through so many changes and the actual owner/boss isn't even there ever. She "works from home" but does absolutely nothing and has no interaction with employees whatsoeve. they don't even have a reliable hr person. The HR person isn't on site and when you text or email them it takes days for them to answer and then when you fill out your ins information with your address they mess it up and put the centers address as your home address and you cant fix it without having them completely redo the application. The Hr Person is basically non existent in the company. They used to have Greta benefits but have recently started taking them away so workers had to form a union but since no bargaining session has happened yet they are still treating employees very badly.

Roots and Wings Preschool has been an incredible foundation for both of my children, who attended…read moretwo years apart. My eldest started just as we were emerging from the challenges of COVID lockdowns, and I was drawn to the school's emphasis on play and socialization. It was exactly what my children needed to reconnect with peers and learn essential life skills. While at Roots and Wings, my kids learned so much beyond academics--they learned how to make friends, share, follow a schedule, and become more self-sufficient, all within the nurturing environment provided by the kind and caring teachers. Jill, Jennifer, and Erin were the perfect first teachers for both of my children, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. My daughter, now in second grade, and my 5-year-old son still talk about their preschool teachers with such love and nostalgia. The half-day schedule was the perfect introduction to school life, providing structure while still allowing plenty of time for family and play. Roots and Wings has also gifted us lifelong connections--my daughter met her best friend there, a friendship that has grown into something like sisterhood. On top of that, I made a mom best friend who has been such a source of support and joy as we navigate motherhood. Even though my kids have both graduated, I still stay in touch with all of their teachers, which is a testament to how special they are and how much they care. I cannot recommend Roots and Wings enough to any family looking for a warm, supportive, and play-focused preschool experience. It's a truly special place that fosters a love for learning and community.

Wonderfull preschool would recommend the teacher there are just the most caring people my children…read moreare always so excited to come home and tell me about there day.

My daughter has been at Cottonwood this school year as a kindergartener, and overall our experience…read morehas been really positive. Cottonwood is a great fit for families who value community, outdoor learning, and a smaller, more relational school environment. Her K-1 blended class has helped her grow academically and socially, and she's developed a real love for math, reading, and hands-on learning. Field trips and outdoor enrichment, like exploring Oaks Bottom, have been a big highlight. What stands out most is the culture of care. From day one, staff across the school made a point to welcome her by name, which helped a big transition feel safe and personal. That kind of consistency and attention really matters with young kids. I also appreciate being able to volunteer and stay connected to the classroom/fieldwork. Seeing the environment firsthand has reinforced why it works well for our family. Cottonwood offers something special for families looking for thoughtful teaching, strong relationships, and real community.

I have had both of my kids here since kindergarten. It is an incredible community and child…read morecentered and with deeply enriching curriculum. It's focus on field work has my kids connected and knowledgeable about Portland--its ecology, history, and its civics. With a strong focus on social emotional learning, my kiddos are developing skills in emotional regulation, communication and restorative justice.

I would strongly recommend that families consider other options until there is new leadership at…read morethis school. During our experience, school administration provided inaccurate or misleading information during the enrollment process. This included representations about the gender composition of incoming classes and the grade levels typically offered. Although the school is listed as serving K-8, enrollment has not historically supported consistent offerings across the upper grades. The school also lacks adequate training, policies, and structural support for a diversity of learners. Families whose children require accommodations or flexibility--including those supported by physician documentation--may find that exceptions to stated policies are not respected, even when based on medical need. Overall, the gap between how the school presents itself and the day-to-day reality was significant. In our experience, this environment was far less supportive and far more rigid than local public school options, including Portland Public Schools.

When I first drove by this odd little building across from Montgomery Park, I never would have…read moreguessed that one day it would become like a second home for our family. I can't say enough good things about the teachers, staff and families that make up the CLASS community. The small, age-blended classes allow the teachers and staff to truly understand and cater to the needs of each student. More importantly, the teachers and staff truly care about each student and are highly dedicated to their success. I'm truly amazed at the job they have done fostering our son's emotional and academic development. They've helped instill a sense of confidence in him that I never thought would be possible. Most parents are also very involved in the school (and several of the teachers/staff have kids at the school) which helps create a true sense of community. As the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child" and our family is extremely grateful that our village is the CLASS Academy community.

My son has been under the care of Lisa for a year now and it is amazing to see how much he has…read moregrown emotionally, creatively and verbally in that time! He absolutely loves going to school and always talks about Teacher Lisa at home. Her energy, patience and love for the children seems limitless and her ideas for learning through play are amazing. They are always working on a fun art project or science experiment. He especially loved watching caterpillars as the grew into butterflies! She is focused on each child and helping to bring out their best self. I am so happy we found a place that my son truly thrives and loves. Their website is under construction but you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rootstobloompreschool/

My daughter has been attending Roots to Bloom since shortly after her second birthday. In that time…read moreshe has blossomed from a timid kiddo who hated to be away from us into a confident, secure 4 year old who is always excited when she knows it's a school day. The teachers are wonderfully caring and supportive and I know my child's social, emotional, and educational learning is being shaped with love. The school has a community of kids and families that are just incredible. Roots to Bloom feels like home to our daughter and like family to all of us.