The Kalapuya Early Learning Center is a shining example of successful collaboration between Washington County Community Action Head Start and the Tigard Tualatin School District. This joint effort has resulted in a remarkable educational facility that opened its doors for the 2022-2023 school year, serving as a beacon of cooperation and community support.
The center boasts two Head Start Part Day Pre-K classrooms, each licensed for 20 students, allowing them to cater to a total of 80 students daily once fully enrolled. Additionally, the Tigard Tualatin School District operates two Preschool Promise classrooms on-site, further demonstrating the partnership's commitment to providing high-quality education for children.
Emphasizing the safety and well-being of students, the Kalapuya Early Learning Center takes measures to ensure a secure environment. The building is designed to provide security, and the fully fenced playground is licensed for 3–5-year-old students. They have also thoughtfully included an enclosed indoor play area to accommodate Oregon's cold and rainy weather, in addition to access to the Middle School gym, complete with wheelchair accessibility, in a separate wing of the building.
The center's outdoor facilities are thoughtfully designed to encourage physical activity and creative play, with features such as a play structure, slides, a grassy hill for climbing and rolling, swings, a nature area, a music area, and more. There's even a water spigot and a bike track for added fun. The inclusion of a basketball hoop, paint easels, a mud kitchen, and large building blocks showcases the dedication to providing diverse and enriching activities. Inside, students are met with a variety of engaging resources, including a climbing structure, slide, balance beams, blocks, cars, and imaginative play items.
This collaboration extends beyond the classroom, with the Tigard Tualatin School District's Clothing Closet on-site for TTSD students and families. This shared resource exemplifies the commitment to community support, ensuring that essential needs are met. Curriculum boxes with materials, roleplay outfits, supplies, and books are also made available through this partnership, underlining the commitment to quality education.
The Kalapuya Early Learning Center stands as a testament to the positive outcomes that can result from collaborative efforts. This partnership between Washington County Community Action Head Start and the Tigard Tualatin School District has created an educational haven that prioritizes the well-being and development of children while fostering a strong sense of community and support.
