Located in the Kenton neighborhood
"I want The Strawberry Patch to exemplify cooperative and pro-social values. I aim to build strong bonds between the children and myself, as well as between them, and in doing so, establish a harmonious and care-free environment. The impressions left by their time here should carry them into the world with positive habits, greater awareness, stability, joy, and love of learning." -Miss Jeanine
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1242 N Kilpatrick Street
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A play, art, and compassion based program
ABOUT Our School
The Strawberry Patch is an in-home preschool located in North Portland for potty-trained children 3 to 5 years of age. The school is run and organized by Jeanine VanSise, an Oregon K-5 teacher who was inspired to start a preschool where play and learning can come together in a warm, loving setting. Play is emphasized at The Strawberry Patch because young children learn best through exploration and experimentation. Through thoughtfully planned activities students will be exposed to: wonderful children's literature, art activities, storytelling, inquiry science, letters and numbers, fine motor and gross motor play, dress up, music, and much more! Children are provided with stimulating indoor activities, and outdoor play time every day. Each day is new and exciting for kids! The preschool opened in Eugene in 2010, and relocated to Portland (where Jeanine grew up) in 2017. The Strawberry Patch has a small class size of ten children, with Miss Jeanine as the only teacher. Jeanine has both a bachelor and master's degree in education, is a step 11 on The Oregon Registry, and is a Master Trainer in the state of Oregon. She is also a certified trainer, for both parents and early childhood educators, of JoAnn Nordling's Caring Discipline Curriculum.
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At The Strawberry Patch Preschool the needs of every individual child are embraced. Every child comes to school from unique backgrounds and has their own needs, strengths, challenges, and interests. Jeanine strives to help students develop physically, emotionally, socially, and individually as well as academically. At The Strawberry Patch students' interests and needs are key in activity planning, literature choices, and free-play time! Additionally, through her Master's in Education program at The University of Oregon, Jeanine had the opportunity to study with Mia Tuan, a fierce advocate for equitable education. Through this course of study Jeanine participated in extensive self-reflection work that encouraged understanding her own biases as an educator, and how to learn and develop counter behaviors. Jeanine wants every child, and family, to find a true sense of safety and belonging at The Strawberry Patch.
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