Welcome to our Kindergarten Program!
Kindergarten is such an important part of a child's foundational education experience! At Mustard Seed we are a play-based program – keeping things age appropriate while working on building educational scholars that stay curious for a lifetime!
Building on over 30 years of early childhood education excellence in the Rock Creek community, our kindergarten program offers families a private alternative with a focus on individualized attention and inclusive learning. We believe children learn by building on the knowledge they already have—primarily exhibited through play.
Why choose private kindergarten for your student?
Choosing the right kindergarten for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a parent. While public school works well for many families, private kindergarten offers distinct advantages that can make a significant difference in your child's educational journey.
Lower Class Sizes
Public school kindergarten classes in Oregon typically have 25-30 students with one teacher. At Mustard Seed, we maintain a 2:20 maximum ratio with two teachers once we reach 10 students. This means your child receives genuine individual attention every single day, not just when they're struggling. We ensure every child never gets lost in the crowd.
Continuity & Familiarity
If your child has been with us for preschool, kindergarten is a seamless transition—same caring staff, same friends, same nurturing environment. No need to start over in a large, unfamiliar building. Even if you're new to Mustard Seed, our small community means your child quickly forms meaningful relationships.
Partnership with Families
In our small community, you're not just a number. Teachers know your child personally, communicate regularly, and work in true partnership with you. You have a voice in your child's education and direct access to familiar support staff who care about your family. Our dedicated team provides consistent, holistic support with familiar faces your child will come to know and trust throughout their kindergarten year. All of our support staff and admin team have child first, whole brain child strategy training and will be available to all students in the building as needed.
Play-Based Philosophy
We believe five and six-year-olds learn best through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. While we meet all Oregon kindergarten standards, we do so in developmentally appropriate ways that keep children curious and excited about learning—not burnt out before first grade.
Fully Inclusive Environment
We welcome children of all learning styles and abilities. Our inclusive environment celebrates diversity and ensures every child feels valued and supported. In the real world, everyone looks, feels, acts, and learns differently - that’s how our classrooms should look, too!
Oregon Kindergarten Learning Benchmarks Aligned
Our research-based curriculum adheres to all Oregon kindergarten standards while maintaining our commitment to play-based, developmentally appropriate learning.
Our Curriculum Approach
Our differentiated instruction means advanced learners are challenged while those who need extra support receive it—without labels or pullout programs. Every child works at their own pace in our inclusive environment that celebrates all learning styles and abilities. We incorporate writing and publishing through our writing labs, and delve into other creative pursuits through art as a part of every single day.
Science experiments happen weekly, and project-based learning is where we thrive! Our thematic curriculum keeps children engaged and connects learning to real-life experiences and interests relevant to 5 and 6-year-old students.
What Your Child Will Experience
Differentiated Instruction: Individualized learning in math and literacy that meets each child at their level
Writing Labs: Daily opportunities to write, create, and publish their own work
Daily Art Integration: Creative expression woven into every single day
Weekly Science: Hands-on experiments that spark curiosity and critical thinking
Project-Based Learning: Deep dives into topics that matter to young learners
Thematic Curriculum: Connected learning experiences that relate to real life
Independent Journaling: Daily writing practice to build literacy and self-expression
Friday Early Release: Our Friday schedule allows for a balanced week with special project time, community building, and a slightly earlier dismissal to give families flexibility at the end of the week.
Days and Times
Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 2:00pm, Early Release on Fridays 9:00am - 12:30pm
Tuition Schedule
Registration Fee (Annual, Non-Refundable): $200
Deposit: 25% of First Month’s Tuition applied to September - $275
Activity Fee (Annual Due September 5th): $100
Monthly Tuition: $1,100
Sample Schedule
9:00am - 9:20am Morning Arrival
Students arrive and put away belongings
Independent Journaling at Tables
9:20am - 9:40am Morning Meeting & Calendar
Welcome song and morning message
Introduction to the day's learning goals
9:40am - 10:30am Literacy Block
Phonics instruction and letter recognition
Guided reading groups (small group rotation)
Independent reading or literacy centers
Writing practice (letters, names, simple words)
10:30am - 11:00am Morning Snack
Handwashing and snack time
11:00am - 11:20am Morning Recess
Outdoor play (weather permitting) or gym time
11:20am - 12:05pm Math Block
Number sense and counting activities
Math centers or manipulatives exploration
Small group math practice
12:05pm - 12:35pm Lunch
Handwashing and lunch time
12:35pm - 1:00pm Quiet Time & Read Aloud
Read-aloud chapter book or longer story
1:00pm - 1:30pm Afternoon Recess
Outdoor play or indoor gym time
1:30pm - 1:50pm Integrated Learning & Centers
Science exploration and experiments
Social studies themes (community, cultures, seasons)
Art projects
Music and movement
1:50pm - 2:00pm Closing Circle & Dismissal
Review of the day's learning
Story or song
Preview of tomorrow's activities
Dismissal procedures and parent pick-up
Weekly Rotations
Monday – Show and Tell
Tuesday – Specials (Library, PE, Music)
Friday – Friday Fun
Ready to join our community of learners?
The bottom line: Choosing private kindergarten at Mustard Seed means choosing a childhood-honoring environment where academic excellence and social-emotional growth go hand in hand. Your child will meet all of the standards—while still having time to be a kid, explore their interests, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for current families and referrals, and opens in January to all! Contact us today to schedule a tour or learn more about our program.
📍 Located at 18555 NW Rock Creek Blvd
⏰ Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 2:30pm | Friday by Appointment
