Meeting the Evolving Needs of Our Community

Over the past decade, Mustard Seed Preschool (MSP) has observed a significant shift in our community's needs. We've seen an increase in students requiring extra assistance in the classroom, while simultaneously noticing other programs becoming more restrictive in their admissions.

Unfortunately, we've encountered numerous cases where students were deemed the "wrong fit" for a program, often with little explanation. At Mustard Seed, we believe in inclusivity and supporting all learners. We work closely with our staff and partners to find ways to accommodate various support needs, ensuring that all children can be part of our program.

Our Partnership with Northwest Regional ESD

While we've long partnered with Northwest Regional ESD’s Early Learning department to provide families with additional supports, therapies, and smoother kindergarten transitions, we recognized that the need was greater than what their agency alone could support. This realization led us to develop our own in-house early intervention program.

Our In-House Speech and Language Services

Recognizing the growing need for speech and language support for many of our students, we decided to start our in-house program by hiring a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Currently, only children who fall in the bottom 7th percentile on standardized assessments qualify for free speech services through Northwest Regional ESD. For children who need support but don't meet this threshold, private speech therapy is often the only option, with sessions in Portland averaging between $100 and $250 for 30 minutes - a cost prohibitive for many families.

At Mustard Seed, we're proud to offer:

  • Free speech and language evaluations

  • In-class social communication modeling

  • Small group speech sessions during the school day (including students working on similar skills and typical peer buddies)

  • Additional 1:1 after-school speech therapy for a flat rate of $50/session

Our new speech therapist for the 2024-2025 school year has clinical interests in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), apraxia of speech, neuroinclusive supports and interoception, bringing more specialized expertise to our program.

The Peer Buddy Program: Fostering Inclusion

 

At MSP, we embrace neurodiversity and strive to be fully inclusive in all aspects - developmentally, culturally, and socially. Our Peer Buddy Program is a crucial part of creating an inclusive environment that celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives of all children.

Benefits for All Children

Participating in the Peer Buddy Program can:

  • Build strong, lasting friendships

  • Increase acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity

  • Support social/emotional skill development for all participants

  • Foster empathy and mutual support skills

  • Create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment

Creating Positive Experiences for All Learners

Our Peer Buddy Program is designed to benefit all participants, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile. Through our peer buddy program we've observed:

  • Increased meaningful social interactions among diverse groups of children

  • Improved skill acquisition through peer-to-peer learning

  • More naturalistic, play-based learning opportunities

  • Greater understanding and celebration of different learning styles and strengths

  • A classroom culture that values and respects neurodiversity

Through this program, we aim to create an environment where all children feel valued, understood, and supported in their unique developmental journeys.

**Please feel free to contact us regarding DHS childcare funding, and scholarship opportunities!

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Mustard Seed Preschool (the “Organization”) admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to its enrollees. The Organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.