Our Beginning Children’s School’s early learning programs nurture the whole child from infancy to preschool. Set in the artistic Fremont neighborhood of North Seattle, Paula Jones founded our school in 2010 in dedication to her mother, Lula Martin. Lula was a lifelong educator who also served Seattle children and families in her own early childhood center. Our passion for early years education is generational and deep. Healthy foods, rich learning experiences, and loving care are pillars of our practice. With heartfelt responsibility and great joy, we strive to create a safe, loving environment for the children in our care and celebrate the gift of childhood every day.
Our educational philosophy centers on the importance of play and relationships in learning. Drawing from the internationally recognized Reggio Emilia Approach and RIE® (Resources for Infant Educarers), our teaching practice fosters a respectful partnership with children, aiming to instill a deep and enduring love for learning.
Key components of our curriculum include the integration of the arts, bilingual education, and nutrition. The arts are woven into daily activities through our dedicated Atelier, led by a specialized Atelierista, allowing children to explore and express themselves creatively. Our bilingual education model enhances cognitive abilities and cultural appreciation. Our focus on nutrition and providing organic, whole foods nourishes the whole child for healthy development.
The Reggio Emilia Approach centers on a strong image of the child, one who actively participates in their education. The approach harnesses the democratic model, where every voice matters, every person is as valuable, and relationships are paramount. This curricular framework caters to children’s budding interests with projects and investigations into a wide variety of topics and encourages collaboration among peers.
Rich dialogue, open-ended questions, and a culture of listening are hallmarks of a Reggio-inspired classroom.
Our Beginning’s caregiving philosophy for infants and toddlers is inspired by the RIE® Educaring Approach, which emphasizes the importance of secure attachment and allowing children to participate actively in their care. RIE founder Magda Gerber said, “Caring is the curriculum.” Every interaction—from feeding and diapering to play—is an opportunity for connection and engagement. Outside caregiving activities, children playfully explore their environment with as little interruption as possible, building motor and cognitive skills alongside curiosity and confidence.
At Our Beginning School, we cherish the cultural and cognitive benefits of bilingual education, seeing it as a vital tool in nurturing a sense of belonging and an appreciation for diversity among our students. Learning in two languages enriches children’s understanding of the world, allowing them to embrace and celebrate different cultures while forming meaningful connections within their community. This immersion not only enhances empathy and social skills but also significantly contributes to cognitive flexibility and problem-solving abilities, laying a foundation for future academic success and a broader, more inclusive worldview.
In our bilingual education model, we offer two dual-language immersion tracks beginning in the early preschool classrooms (age 2): Spanish-English and Mandarin-English. Mirroring a bilingual family environment, both English and the selected world language are spoken naturally throughout classroom routines. Through this immersive experience, children not only learn to communicate effectively in both languages but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural nuances embedded within each language. For children that enroll in our program for the entire four-year period (from age 2 to 5), our aim is “practical language proficiency,” defined as the ability to understand and use words and phrases related to daily activities and routines such as playing, eating, sleeping, getting dressed, going to school, and spending time with family and friends.
Central to the Reggio Emilia Approach is the belief that children express themselves through “100 languages,” a metaphor for the myriad ways children think, explore, and communicate beyond verbal expression. At Our Beginning, this philosophy is embodied by our Atelier, a dedicated art studio, and the Atelierista, our specialized art teacher. The Atelier, a separate space from the classroom, serves as a dynamic environment where children interact with various materials and tools to create and investigate, making their learning visible in imaginative ways.
Integrating artistic experiences into everyday learning enriches children’s educational journey and cultivates essential skills such as abstract thinking, fine motor coordination, and creativity. Through art, children develop a foundation for complex thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for their future academic and personal success.
At Our Beginning, we provide nutritious meals that nourish the body and joyful dining experiences that lay the foundation for a lifelong healthy relationship with food. As the nation’s first children’s school with a fully certified organic kitchen by CCOF, we’re committed to providing wholesome foods. Our on-site kitchen team prepares organic, plant-based meals daily: breakfast, lunch, 2 snacks, and made-from-scratch purees for infants. All meals are served family-style, and children enjoy weekly cooking and nutrition experiences with a specialist teacher.
Situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Fremont, Seattle, Our Beginning embraces this diverse and artistically-minded community. Through walks along garden paths and exploration of local businesses, children experience urban life and engage with various art displays, gardens, and small businesses. Committed to fostering safe and monitored connections within the community, we enrich children’s learning experiences and cultivate an appreciation for their surroundings.
Our Beginning’s unique Education Team collaborates closely with children, educators and families to make every day vibrant with play, love and learning. Led by Director of Education Ralicia Preisinger, the team includes Prenatal, Infant & Early Toddler Pedagogista Candide Uwizeyimana, Older Toddler & Preschool Pedagogista Danielle McCrea, and Atelierista Cathy Lelannic. These lifelong educators bring a rich tapestry of skills to our school. Together, they speak a combined eight languages, hold four degrees in child development and early learning, and have decades of diverse experiences working with young children and families in a variety of settings and countries. Holders of the school’s pedagogy, the team helps put into practice the relationship-based early learning approaches of RIE® Educaring and Reggio Emilia, carrying the values of dialogue, collaboration, growth and a strong image of the child.
Reach out today to schedule a tour or learn more about our infant, toddler, preschool and prekindergarten programs centrally located in North Seattle.
(206) 547-1433
admissions@ourbeginning.com
123 NW 36th Street, Suite 120
Seattle, WA 98107