We have sent our children here over the last 6+ years. We love the food/garden program, quality teachers, and social/emotional skills and values our kids have been taught here. Our kids are exposed to a lot of creative opportunities and deeply caring, professional child educators. They really have made a positive impact on our kids' development. (We are grateful for the great hours as well). I would echo a previous reviewer- definitely tour here and learn about their philosophy before joining - we LOVE it, but it may not be a match for everyone (as would be the case with any childcare). We have appreciated the effort WL puts in to trying to be affordable, and have benefited from their sliding scale tuition and Preschool for All participation. There were some bumps in the road during covid a few years ago, but the current leadership is strong, things are smooth, and wonderful things keep developing! read more

We initially sought out placement at Wild Lilac three years ago, as we knew many people who had great experiences there. Once we were accepted into the program, we quickly had several misgivings. Most of our concerns revolved around supervision levels and an abundance of unsafe behaviors that were either overlooked, tolerated or unnoticed altogether. Some of these behaviors included bullying, biting, hitting, multiple unsupervised children in the bathrooms, staff on their cell phones, and children unattended to both in the classroom and outside. Many of these behaviors persisted despite attempts to discuss them with teachers and admin. And while the teachers in general were enthusiastic and nice one-on-one, they seemed overwhelmed by the number of students and lacking structure, which often led to a feeling of chaos. Some of the substitute and support staff also seemed less engaged and/or attentive. We stuck it out for two years, but ultimately chose a different preschool due to continued concerns about the general emotional and physical wellbeing of ours and other students. We know many kids/parents who enjoy(ed) the program, but we also know many who share(d) similar concerns. Additionally, when issues were pointed out, rarely did they seem to be addressed. And when they were, it felt inadequate. As it appears in previous reviews, there seems to be a disconnect between parents' real experiences at Wild Lilac and the insistence of administrators that these safety concerns are "inaccurate." When you are doing research on preschools, you can always look up complaints filed through DHS. If you check out the following link, simply type Wild Lilac or any other name into the search field: https://childcaresafetyportal.ode.state.or.us/ read more

My son attended Wild Lilac for only three days last fall. After a horrible, biting experience in which my son was bitten six times over multiple days and not observed any of the times by ANY staff member, we pulled him from the program. He was just two. What a sad and traumatic experience it was for all of us. And we had to fight to get our money back. Where were the teachers? read more

I don't know what kind of low standards for childcare and the safety of your children you all have. Unless things have significantly changed in the last couple of years, the violent play without mediation, lack of training for large portions of staff, the level to which children get injured and are allowed to be violent with one another...I had to watch a class when they were abandoned by a staff member until pick up, unknown to other staff. I found a child who had gotten out of a side door wandering the street and helped them back with the aid of another parent. All these things were civily discussed with admin and I was called a liar. My child was slapped, kicked and punched (I was present) this occurred as they were trying to tell me they had no idea why I had concerns, my child had his stomach lacerated and went there one week. Pros, meals and locked front entry. I arrived one day to find a staff member chanting, "blow his head off" and instigating another student putting pointed fingers at my son's temple while they cornered him in a play area. When I removed my son from that situation I was immediately confronted with another child screaming as his hair was being ripped out by the scalp by another student, no staff intervention. The child clung to me sobbing after I removed him as well from the dangerous situation. Emphasis on "Wild". What a nightmare. The updated comment from "Wild L" in my review from 2015 is inaccurate and erroneous in itself. I absolutely did observe the behaviors outlined in my account by staff as well as had formal conversations. None of what was shared was false. There were also other parents present. I noticed that you tried to discount another reviewer as well. While there were notable pros to this facility in 2017 and I can't speak to it now, the biggest issue was the staff interactions especially with higher level oversight. Your attempt to discount and undermine my family's very real experiences isn't appreciated, nor does it validate the very real issues present within our experiences. There was an inability for administration to be at all respectful during my multiple attempts to rectify it, nor a desire to at any point. I'm not surprised there is a maintained lingering culture of lack of accountability. read more

I see that some reviews are pretty old so thought I'd offer a current review. We really love Wild Lilac. Our two kids are 3.5 and 1.5 and have attended WL for a little over a year. The teaching staff in each of the 4 classrooms that my kids have been in were pretty exceptional. We moved across the country and had such a difficult time finding high quality, reliable child care, despite trying a few providers. WL has definitely been the best. My kids love the food and the outside time! I have only heard other families share positive experiences, and I love all the community events--it's so nice to really get to know the other parents and kids! The facility is great, too. My kids love the nature studio. Overall, if you're considering this school, definitely read up on their philosophy (goes for any school) and ask about the classroom blogs! The blogs would be a great way to gain insight into the day to day activities! read more

My daughter is 5 and has gone to Wild Lilac since age 2 1/2. I could not be happier with our experience there. The respect that the directors and teachers have for the children is extraordinary, and their example affects the children deeply. When kids are respected and loved, they are open to learning and trying new things. They feel safe, they feel empowered. My daughter has had many breakthroughs--both intellectual and emotional-- predicated on this very real practice. Also, the children's physical well-being is supported by an incredible kitchen program. The food is amazing, home-cooked, and the kids help bake and prepare some of the food they enjoy. They help tend a vegetable garden, and of course play vigorously outside every day. I can't really say enough about how much we have loved having our daughter at Wild Lilac! read more

Our son went to Wild Lilac's Daffodil house when he was a little over 2. He graduated from the Iris house this summer and has transitioned into Kindergarten like a dream. The preschool is magical. The directors and teachers are amazing they get to know each kid and appreciate their unique personalities. I always felt supported as a parent with plenty of house calls made by Katie and Helene (the directors) when our family was going through a new transition or we had parenting questions. The space is wonderful the food is fantastic, we were very spoiled and love the school very much. I cannot recommend it enough! read more

This was a great school for my two kids. The teachers are very nurturing while also encouraging kids to explore the world and try new things. The food is very healthy, made by a fabulous cook who is sweet to the kids as well. Staff participate in continuing ed on a regular basis and are very passionate about their jobs. I felt good about bringing my kids to Wild Lilac. read more

Deeply in love with this school. Before moving to Portland I was a SAHM/WAHM who like most of us felt strongly about who I was willing to have care for my children if I was to be away from them. We interviewed a few potential preschools and immediately not only felt a calm ease with the staff and their model, but also completely inspired by their level of selflessness and purpose working with small children. I can honestly say that over the past 2.5 years with two little ones in their care, we have not seen this dedication and superior care waiver in any one of the staff. From Michelle who nourishes little bodies with actual real food, who invites the children to draw still-lifes of interesting vegetables like celeriac! To Helene and Katie who are not only incredible businesswomen but also basically magical creatures that never seem to get mad about anything ever. Silly, progressive, down to earth, and ridiculously well informed in early childhood development. This school is incredible in every aspect, and a well known treasure to the families of Portland. read more

We absolutely love this preschool and their new location is easy for us to get to making even better for our family. They are very flexible and the teachers are great with communication. I love that every classroom has access to an enclosed outdoor learning area. Our son LOVES to be outside rain or shine and he has that opportunity there. The only complaint I can even think of is they have a PPS school schedule so they are out on the random holidays, which is not unusual for a preschool. They also serve healthy meals and have an in-house cook who lets the children participate in meal preparation sometimes. Love it! read more

Me and a few other parents changed schools after a lot of frustration with the administration end of things. Some parents I know stayed because they liked the care, but were less then thrilled with the rest. The teachers have a good way of communicating with the kids, but they were either uninterested or maybe just incompetent when it came to communicating with parents. They have education and puppet shows and nice things, but on the day to day matters they are terrible. Unless you are even one day late with tuition -- they notice that and give you a fee. There's been numerous misunderstandings, scheduling issues, and other problems. They say one thing and then another and it always ends up falling on the parents to deal with their mess. There are people who loved this place, and the staff seemed to have favorites. But as many families were not happy with the policies and communication. I'd encourage anyone who's thinking of going to ask around first. read more

i really can't imagine a better preschool for my little ones. our oldest son is in his 3rd and final year and our little guy is so happily in the middle of his first. putting into words the deep commitment and care that the staff have for the kids really feels impossible. i have been able to lean on them again & again when my parenting buttons are pushed and i find myself at wits end. it's really cool to have a community that expands beyond fellow parents that i can turn to to ask about 3 year old melt-downs or whatever other challenge we're facing on the home front. i am constantly surprised and so pleased by the conversations that are shared with my kids at school (even with my 2 1/2 year old, who was hardly talking when he started there). and the adventures they take, inside and outside of school inspire me. (they take alot of neighborhood field trips... really getting an understanding for where they fit in the big picture.) as my 4 1/2 year old says "it's just awesome because it's awesome"... it sounds ridiculous but take well educated, well meaning, super kind and deeply caring individuals with such a crazy, respectful commitment to this part of a childs life and they have created something so lovely, safe & impactful for our whole family. and through all this i haven't even mentioned, the great healthy food prepared on site, the parenting classes, the digging up of a very muddy backyard to discover a buried treasure, the chickens, the down-to-earth directors... it's been an awesome place for our boys. clearly, we are super pleased and seriously recommend it. read more