About Us

Our Philosophy

Treehouse Playschool is a cooperative-style childcare program serving children ages 18 months to 3.5 years in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood. We value active collaboration between our teachers and parent community, for a truly unique and fulfilling learning experience for all of our students.

With our child-led and emergent curriculum, each Treeschooler’s path is honored and supported. Our experienced teachers embody respectful child care and the guidance approach, rooted in developmentally appropriate practice.

Meet our teachers

  • Families, I am so looking forward to cultivating a beautiful, thriving community with each and every one of you. My teaching approach is grounded in connection. I value holistic, play-based, and child-led curriculums that prioritize connection between child and caregiver, social and emotional development, anti-bias perspectives, and behavioral guidance that is brain and nervous-system aligned.

    I am passionate about not only seeing children for who they are as people but celebrating and honoring their individuality. My approach is closely aligned with RIE caregiving and other child-centered approaches.

    I was born and raised here in Sellwood but currently reside in North Portland with my cat Bean. In my spare time, I love to make art: needle-felting, collage, drawing, and writing are my favorite mediums to work with.

  • Hi! I am Chelsea (she/her)

    I am a long time infant + toddler + preschool teacher, nanny and now a mom! I have worked with many neurodivergent children as well. My teaching and care philosophy primarily pulls from RIE, constructivism and Reggio Emilia approaches.

    My guideposts for working with children are respect, trust, and social-emotional empowerment. I aim to foster an environment that is child centered and child lead where anti-bias education is at the core. I believe children are the real teachers and that is what I love most about this work.

    When I am not teaching, I love being outside with my little one, hiking, camping or swimming. I am also passionate about mindfulness and my yoga practice and teach family and child yoga. I believe children are born knowing their bodies and I support them to continue that connection. I am so excited to meet and get to know you all!

Teacher’s Bookshelf

  • No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Landsbury

    It’s Ok NOT To Share by Heather Shumaker

    The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson

    No-Drama Discipline by Daniel Siegel and Tina Bryson

    How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and ElaineMazlish

    How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Joanne Faber and Julie King

    Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting by Hunter Clarke-Fields

    Raising Kind, Confident Kids by Hunter Clarke-Fields

  • @drchelsey_parenting

    @curiousparenting

    @janetlansbury

    @threadsofjusticecollective

    @heartmindedmama

    @latinxparenting

    @seed.and.sew

    @transformingtoddlerhood

    @themompsychologist

  • Emotion coaching is a research-based approach developed by Dr. John Gottman that helps us tune into children’s emotions in order to teach them effective coping skills. A brief introduction to this approach can be found here.

Parent Consultations

Teacher Emily is now offering one-hour sessions where together you are able discuss any tricky situation you are facing with your little one at home. Emily uses research-backed, developmentally appropriate methods to tackle even the toughest situations with empathy and calm. Let her help you feel empowered to be the best parent you can be, through all your toddler’s ups and downs!

Our Programs

Morning Playschool

Enriching toddler care, serving children ages 18 months to 3.5 years, two (T/Th), three (M/W/F), or five days (M-F) per week.

Afternoon
Playgroups

We now have afternoon playgroups every Tuesday from 4:30-6 pm! See our events page for more info or click here to sign up!

Parent Board

Open communication and community are integral to the success of our Playschool, and the Parent Board allows us to ensure both these pillars are achieved. Board members meet once a month to discuss agenda items and give Chair updates, in collaboration with the owners and lead teacher. All parents, not just Board members, have the opportunity to add agenda items and view Board meeting notes.

Holding a Board position is completely optional. Interested in sharing your skills, talents, and insights on the Board? Please email for more information on how to get involved.

  • Schedules and leads all Board meetings and acts as liaison between Parent Board and staff (director, teachers) for information-sharing

  • Advises on financial planning, tuition and staff pay/promotions

  • Advises on business sustainability, program efficacy, and building usage

  • Manages parent/caregiver volunteers and maintains monthly volunteer calendar

  • Creates and maintains content for social/website channels, and develops marketing campaigns for enrollment, fundraising, events, etc.

  • Oversees recruitment of both new families and new staff, and maintains waitlist and new family handbook

  • Connects with teachers and volunteers for supply replenishment, classroom maintenance, and sanitization needs

  • Creates yearly fundraising goals and executes all events and programs