Blossom House Preschool offers a Waldorf-inspired program for children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5 1/2. As a Waldorf-based program, we strive to surround the children with toys from nature, things of beauty, and positive adult role models. Our educational goal is to develop skills that will last a lifetime, such as:
Appreciation of a daily rhythm
- Listening and language skills through story-telling and finger plays
- Problem-solving skills and enhanced imaginative ability through creative free play
- Learning good manners during meal times
- Social skills through awareness of fellow students’ feelings, abilities, and uniqueness
- An appreciation of nature through awareness of the seasons and the celebration of festivals
- A lifelong love of learning and discovery
Blossom House is owned and directed by Cindy Smith. Cindy is a Certified Family Childcare Provider and has been studying Waldorf education since March 2001. In July 2004, she received a certificate from the Michael Institute in Waldorf Early Childhood Education.
Blossom House Teachers
The Blossom House staff is made up of co-teachers, meaning that for the most part each teacher participates equally, contributing his/her own unique talents to the school. Some of these skills include sitting at the head of the table and conversing with the children during mealtimes, memorizing stories or finger-plays, doing a seasonal circle, and contributing a monthly newsletter.
All teachers at Blossom House are enrolled in the Criminal History Registry and are required to have their First Aid/CPR Certification and Food Handler’s Card. Teachers who provide care for more than 20 hours in a calendar year undergo at least 15 hours of childcare training and have familiarized themselves with Blossom House’s policies and procedures, as well as the state requirements.
Ratios
The student/teacher ratio will be as follows:
| Students | Teacher(s) |
| 1-8 | 2 |
| 8-16 | 3 or 4 |
Blossom House provides a fourth teacher between 9:00-2:00 to maximize the quality of care and safety of your child. After 4:00pm, two teachers will remain to finish the day and assist with cleanup. Note: this is a Blossom House standard. The state only requires one teacher for up to 10 students, and 2 teachers for up to 16 students.
Enrollment Procedures
Children are welcome at Blossom House Preschool regardless of race, color, religious background, or national/ethnic origin. Prior to enrollment, the prospective family may visit the school for a tour. Before the first day of school, the following forms must be completed: the application form, enrollment and authorization forms, the Provider-Parent Childcare Contract, the Department of Health immunization form, and the USDA enrollment form. Once these forms have been completed and the first month’s tuition and non-refundable $200 registration/materials fee have been paid, the child is formally enrolled. Parents will be asked to update information on relevant forms when necessary.
The non-refundable $200 registration/materials fee goes toward your child’s school supplies, such as crafts and painting materials.
Enrollment for the summer and following school year begins in March. Please enroll early, as space is limited.
Tuition
Children are admitted with the understanding that they will attend for the entire school year. Summer tuition may be kept separate. Upon registration, the number of days your child will attend will be calculated. This number will be multiplied by your daily rate and then divided into equal monthly payments.
By the 20th of each month, please bring a check payable to Cindy Smith or Blossom House Preschool to the school. Your child will not be able to attend without first paying the tuition, unless special arrangements have been made. Weekly or payday payments may be arranged.
Checks that are returned due to insufficient funds will be assessed a $20 servicing fee. If a family’s tuition check is returned twice within a twelve-month period, the family must pay tuition using cash or money order.
Current tuition rates are as follows:
|
8:30am – 12:45pm |
$40 |
|
8:30am – 3:30pm |
$47 |
|
8:30am – 3:30pm |
$45 (5-day children only) |
|
8:30am – 4:00 to 5:00pm |
$52 |
|
8:30am – 4:00 to 5:00pm |
$50 (5-day children only) |
* Note: 1/2 hour may be added on before or after school for an additional $5.
Blossom House is open all weekdays except for the following days:
- All Mondays that fall on national holidays (except Columbus Day)
- Thanksgiving, as well as the day before (Wednesday) and after (Friday)
- December 24th through January 1st
- The Monday following Easter (we have no official spring break)
- The 4th and 5th of July
Parents should foresee vacation times without paying for these days.
Families that reserve certain days of the week will only be able to make up an unused day if there is an available space. Children who attend five days a week will not be able to make up days, but have reduced tuition to compensate for days missed.
Families should give at least 30 days notice if they need to withdraw their child, so that the space may be filled. Any paid tuition will not be refunded.
Arrival and Departure Procedures
Upon arrival, each child will be signed in by the adult bringing him/her using the forms provided. If someone other than the signed parent or guardian is to pick up a child from the school, a note will be either presented to the teacher, or a notation must be made on the sign-in form. The person picking up the child is then required to bring a photo ID.
It is important that your arrival and departure times are pre-arranged with the teacher so as to not interrupt the children’s activities or nap time. Children should arrive a few minutes early so we can begin the day at 8:30am sharp. If you arrive before 8:20 there will be a $5 charge. Please see Early and Late Arrival Contract for more details. If you need care before 8:20, please make special arrangements. Please avoid late arrival. If your child will be dropped off late, please call to let us know when you will arrive.
Afternoon pickups must not to be early, as to avoid interrupting the children’s lunch. If an early pickup is necessary, please call to make arrangements. If your child is picked up more then 5 minutes past pick up time, a $5 fee will be charged on the hour and half hour. Please see Late and Early Arrival Contract. With a 24 hour notice, this can be reduced to $3.
At the end of the child’s stay, he/she will be signed out by an adult. If an unauthorized adult arrives to pick up a child, the parents will be called to give verbal instructions.
Each day, the parent must check the child’s cubby to make sure that there are two sets of spare clothes, diapers and wipes (if needed). Please help keep your child’s cubby neat and orderly. Children must be in approved car/ booster seats as prescribed by Oregon State Law.
Guidance and Discipline Policy
We strive to provide a safe and peaceful learning environment for all children. Each child will be respected for the unique individual he/she is. Guidance will be provided to each child in a positive manner intended to help the child develop self-control and promote self-esteem and respect for others. Guidance and discipline will be fair, and applied in a consistent, timely manner.
Children will be distracted and redirected from inappropriate behavior. If such redirection is not effective, the child will be addressed by a teacher outlining clear-cut limits and behavioral expectations. This will be done in a three-step approach. The teacher will touch the child on the arm, gain eye contact, and let them know that “that is not okay”, followed by a positive statement of redirection. If the inappropriate behavior continues, the child will be asked to accompany the teacher and perform a purposeful task. (All purposeful tasks will be age-appropriate for each child.)
If the child’s behavior continues to be disruptive to the learning environment or poses a safety risk to his/herself or others, the parents will be contacted. If the child remains at risk, parents will be asked to remove the child for the remainder of the day. A conference with the parents will be scheduled to discuss the incident or situation, and an action plan will be developed. Blossom House Preschool reserves the right to immediately expel a child for grievous conduct harming a child or member of the staff.
Nutrition
Blossom House strives to provide daily meals and snacks that are healthy and organic. (Non-organic food may be served if an organic option is not available.) Meals and snacks will include at least two food groups. Before each meal or snack, the teacher sitting at the head of the table will lead the students in a finger play and sing a blessing song. Meal/snack times are as follows:
| 8:30am | Morning tea |
| 10:20am | A.M. snack |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 3:00pm | P.M. snack |
If a child is hungry after rest time or at the end of the day, he/she will be accommodated.
A USDA monitor will visit the school to ensure compliance with their program standards. They may also contact the parents to verify the child’s participation.
Storage and Handling Food
Blossom House is committed to serving children quality organic food whenever possible. Daily snacks are prepared on-site with the highest attention paid to cleanliness. Food will be stored in clean, airtight, clearly-labeled containers. Opened refrigerated items will be labeled and dated to reflect the date opened and placed in the refrigerator.
Meals and snacks will only be prepared by staff members with current food handler’s cards. Food preparation surfaces will be sanitized before and after food is prepared. Meals and snacks will be served to the children by a teacher once they are seated at the table. If a child requests additional food, the teacher will serve the child.
Resting/Napping Practice
In support of a child’s natural rhythm, there will be a daily resting period. This rest period will range from approximately forty-five (45) minutes to two hours, depending on the group of children assembled at rest time. Rest time may begin as early as 12:40pm and end no later than 3:00pm. Beginning and end times will depend on the age of the children, the events of the day, and the seasons. Each child will rest on a school-provided mat and a small pillow that you can make with your child. Children should bring a favorite blanket to snuggle with. If a child is not asleep after 15 to 45 minutes (depending on the child), he/she will be allowed to get up and play quietly downstairs, or he/she will go outside. Napping is not required if the parent feels that it is not appropriate for their child. Children who are sleeping will be allowed to wake up naturally, unless otherwise advised by the parent. Children who are not awake by 3:00 will be gently awakened.
Hand Washing Procedures
Proper hand washing requires the use of soap, friction to create lather, and thorough rinsing. Children and adults shall wash their hands after using the toilet. Staff will wash hands before and after helping a child change their diaper. Hands will also be washed after wiping noses, assisting a child with toileting, changing a child’s soiled clothes, and before and after snacks and meals.
Accident/Injury Documentation
Any time a child is injured at school requiring first aid or an adhesive bandage, an Accident/Injury Report Form is completed. A staff member will describe the injury and the assistance given. The form requires both the staff and parents’ signatures. Once the form is completed, it is kept in the child’s file.
Emergency Plan
In case of an emergency, the following procedures will be enacted:
Acute Illness or Injury:
If a child or staff becomes acutely ill, he/she will be separated from the other children and allowed to rest. Once settled in a separate area, vomit or other bodily fluids will be cleaned. The child’s parent(s) will be contacted and asked to pick up the child as soon as possible. If the parent is not available, the child’s emergency contact will be notified.
If a child requires medical treatment, 911 will be called. If the injured or ill child requires transportation to a medical facility, an effort will be made to contact the parent before the child leaves the facility. However, the health of the child is the primary concern. The child will be transferred to the nearest hospital, which in the case of Blossom House Preschool is the Providence facility located on 4805 NE Glisan St. The phone number of this hospital is (503) 215-6000.
Parents will be notified of all injuries happening on site. They will be informed of any first aid administered to their child. A written log of injuries, including the description of injury location, will be maintained.
Fire:
Children will practice using a knotted rope to walk in a single file in case we ever have to evacuate the property. The children’s files will be brought along so parents can be contacted. If possible, the cordless phone will be taken along. Once a month, we will practice an emergency evacuation plan. This will be designed to be fun for the children, to help prevent panic in the case of an actual fire.
Earthquake:
In the unlikely event of an earthquake, the children will be instructed to gather in the center of the classroom, crouched on their hands and knees with their heads tucked under their hands. If the earthquake occurs while the children are outdoors, everyone will remain outside. If there is severe damage to the facility, parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their children.
Severe Weather:
In the case of severe weather, such as a lightening storm, the children will be kept indoors until the storm has passed. If the storm occurs during outside playtime, the children will be instructed to calmly return to the classroom. Please be sure your child has rain gear with his/her name on it, as well as hats and gloves for the winter.
Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting
Wet-on-wet painting in a Waldorf early childhood program focuses on the child’s ability to experience each color as presented by the teacher. Painting is done once a week, and participation is required. It is an important part of their development. Our paintbrush is called “Peter Paintbrush”, and we treat “him” with reverence.
In most Waldorf classrooms, the following painting standards are kept: Once the children have painted with each of the three primary colors one at a time in class, they will be offered additional paints based on their ages. The children who are two and three years old will continue painting with a single color each week. The children who are four will paint with two colors, and the five- and six-year-olds will paint with three colors. The older children who are not familiar with wet-on-wet watercolor painting will be eased into three colors. The children generally do not complain about being limited to one or two colors. Rather, they live in the color they are given. By having an age differentiation, the children have something to look forward to.
At Blossom House, our two- and three-year-olds sometimes use two colors with assistance. When they turn four, they are allowed to use two colors on their own. When they are five, they may use up to three colors.
The children are provided with aprons on painting day to keep their clothes clean. However, it is always a good idea to make sure children are wearing clothes that parents wouldn’t mind getting dirty on painting days.
Birthdays
At Blossom House, we like to recognize a child’s birthday for the special occasion that it is. On this day, we make little muffins for the morning snack, light birthday candles, and sing special birthday songs to the child. Then the child passes out small gifts for his/her classmates—usually something from nature, like shells, stones, or pine cones—and the teachers present the child with a handmade birthday gift.
Holidays and Festivals
Blossom House offers an environment that respects the spiritual choices of others. The word “God” may be used in a general way in stories, songs or verses. Often our mealtime blessings will include thanking our mother earth. Holidays and festivals will be honored according to the sensitivities of families. A family may share how they celebrate a holiday with songs, stories, lighting candles, etc. The teachers are in no way allowed to teach any kind of religious doctrine to the children.
List of Things Your Child Will Need to Bring
First Day (things to be shared):
One large package of diaper wipes (natural, unscented please)
One box of Kleenex
Each day:
Bag with 2 sets of spare clothes (socks, pants, and shirt)
Diapers and wipes. Your child’s bag needs to fit neatly in the cubby space.
To leave at school:
Cup (for water) w/flat bottom and name on it. (Please, no plastic cups)
Slippers
Boots
Rain coat and rain pants
Sun hat and winter hat (according to weather)
Sandals or water shoes (in warm weather)
Mittens (during winter) or gloves that fit well. (Wool is ideal.) Please make sure they can be washed.
For aftercare:
Small blanket for naps
Small homemade pillow and pillow slip
Children should always be dressed in comfortable, practical clothes that are weather-appropriate. Please do not dress children in clothes you don’t want to get soiled, especially on painting day.
Things Your Child May Bring to School
Nature items for the nature table (rocks, feathers, shells, leaves, flowers)
Flowers (please bring whenever you can)
Fruit
Vegetarian snacks (no eggs, please) to share with the group
Vegetables and items for stone soup day, for example: 1 carrot, 1 potato, 1 cup broccoli, 1 cup kale, º cup barley, º cup lentils, º cup split peas, 1 cup pasta. Please avoid bringing onion or garlic as this is not something the children can chop.
In summer, one fruit for fruit salad day. (This will replace soup day between July 1st and Sept 1st.)
If your child has a special toy or blanket that he/she has difficulty leaving at home, please get the teacher’s permission prior to bringing it. We prefer that children do not bring toys from home to school.
Things Your Child May NOT Bring to School
In order to comply with the Waldorf philosophy, as well as ensuring good nutrition and the sharing of toys, the following items should not be brought to school:
Candy or sweets
Toys from home
Please do not dress your child in clothes that display any television characters.
Outdoor Time
We believe that a certain amount of the child’s playtime should take place outdoors in order to give him/her a chance to “breathe out”—that is, move his/her body freely, raise his/her voice a little, and explore the outdoor environment. This also gives the children an opportunity to enhance his/her awareness of nature: to feel the sun and fresh air, to observe the way worms appear after it rains, to admire the changing colors of the trees in the fall and the appearance of flowers in the springtime. The children spend at least 60 minutes outside every day except during inclement weather, in which case the children will stay inside and play in the playroom until lunchtime.
Outdoor time will nearly always take place in the backyard of Blossom House; however, during times when there is a high teacher to student ratio, the teachers may take the group on a walk around the neighborhood.
Visiting Blossom House
Parents are always welcome in the school. Remember that guests may change the natural rhythm of the class, so please ask if it is a good time to stay. Visiting days can be arranged in advance.
Parents’ Right to Access
Parents have the right to access the school any time during the hours of operation. Please keep in mind that if you arrive in the middle of lunch, story time, circle time, and other activities, it may disrupt the children’s rhythm and cause them to lose focus. If you have to pick up your child early, please call in advance
to see what time would be least disruptive.
Home Visits and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Home visits and parent-teacher conferences are a traditional part of the Waldorf system. However, due to the large number of students and the amount of time they spend at school during the week, we are not making home visits or parent-teacher conferences a requirement. If you feel that your child would benefit from a home visit or a conference with the teachers, we will be more than happy to accommodate your request. If you would like to schedule an appointment or a home visit with a Blossom House teacher, please contact Cindy Smith.
Rhythm
Rhythm is very important for your child. Please read the recommended books on rhythm and its importance. It is important to make sure that your child gets plenty of rest at night. Please see that they have early bedtimes and early rising times. This will help them be awake for school and ready to rest at nap time. Please do not be afraid to gently wake your child in the morning to help him/her adjust to a healthy rhythm.
Blossom House’s Daily Rhythm
8:00 Special arrangements may be made
to arrive as early as 8:00. A $5 charge will be charged for arrivals before
8:20
8:20-8:30 First children begin to arrive and wash hands
8:30 Last children should arrive and wash hands
8:35 Tea time followed by hand-washing
8:45 Free play and daily activity (coloring, craft, painting, baking, etc)
9:45 Teachers take children in small groups to use the toilet, change diapers, and wash hands
10:05 Begin cleanup; teachers sing the cleanup song to encourage student participation
10:15 Circle time (songs, finger plays, circle games, nursery rhymes)
10:25 Morning snack, followed by hand-washing
10:40 Outdoor playtime
11:40 Children begin coming in (3 or 4 at a time)
11:40-12:00 Children use toilet, have diapers changed, wash hands
12:00 Story time/puppet show
12:10 Lunch time, followed by hand-washing
12:45 Parents arrive; children who are staying for nap time use toilet, have diapers changed, wash hands; teachers read stories
12:50 Rest time; teachers play harp or sing lullabies
1:00-3:00 Non-napping children participate in art/science projects (indoors or outdoors) or free play
3:00 Afternoon snack
3:15 Free play inside
3:30 Parents begin to pick up their children
4:00-5:00 Last children color and play until pick-up (late pick-ups may be arranged for added fee, see Late/Early Arrival Contract)
Weekly Activities Rhythm
These activities change every other month in order to give each child an opportunity to participate in every activity over time. A typical Weekly Activities Rhythm schedule may look like this:
Monday:
Beeswax stick and block crayon drawing; grinding barley
for morning snack
Tuesday:
Seasonal craft project, or playing with homemade play
dough/beeswax.
Wednesday:
Wet-on-wet watercolor painting
Thursday:
Bread and butter making
Friday:
Vegetable soup making; grinding oatmeal for morning
snack
Postings in the Hall
In the hall, the following items are posted, as required by law:
The most current certificate
Notice of any communicable disease outbreak
Evacuation plan
Notice of required items available for review, such as the guidance/discipline policy, the current week’s menu, the description of the general routine, and information on how to report a complaint
Broken Toys
A certain amount of wear and tear on the children’s toys is expected. However, these toys are special, and not easily replaced. If your child breaks a toy, he/she will help mend it, if possible. If this cannot be done easily, Blossom House Preschool will ask the child’s parents to fix it. If this is not possible, they may be asked to pay for a replacement.
Monthly Family Events
About once a month, Blossom House will hold a family event. Past events have included an autumn Lantern Walk in Laurelhurst Park, a Valentine’s Day party, and a celebration of Saint Nicholas’ Day. These events will be announced in the Blossom House newsletter and on a Calendar of Events that comes out in August.
Play Dates
Parents are encouraged to get together with the children for play dates. A list of families’ phone numbers and addresses will be given out. If you do not wish your contact information to be released, please inform Cindy Smith.
Parents’ Education
Parents are encouraged to participate in the parent-child classes offered at local Waldorf Schools. The following books are also recommended for reading. They may be borrowed from the Blossom House Preschool:
You Are Your Child’s First Teacher
by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge—Nurturing Our Children from Birth to Seven
by
Barbara J. Patterson and Pamela Bradley
Work and Play in Early Childhood
by Freya Jaffke
Your Self-Confident Baby
by Gerber
Parent Help
Parental help and participation is welcomed and much appreciated at the Blossom House Preschool. We are asking each family to volunteer an hour each month, if possible. Please see the Parent Volunteer Contract for details. Some things that parents can help us with are sewing, computer work, gardening/yard work, planning family events, planning holiday events, bringing a craft that the children can work on together, etc.
Parents can also help by keeping their eyes open for flowers, budding branches, and other seasonal things from nature to bring to school for their children. This can also help parents increase their own awareness of nature and have lots of fun doing it.
Contact Information
Parents may reach Blossom House Preschool owner:
Cindy Smith by calling (503) 914-8408
The school’s physical and mailing address is 4000 NE Hassalo St., Portland, OR 97232
For enrolled families who need to contact teachers at the school please call: (503) 231-2928