Volunteer – Little Nestlings Early Learning Center

Join Our Community as a Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at Little Nestlings Early Learning Center in West Linn, Oregon. When you join us in this role, you become an important part of a warm, Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool community where children ages 3–5 discover the joy of learning.

Giving your time at Little Nestlings means sharing your talents and heart with young children who are curious about everything. Every person who steps into this role brings something unique – whether you are a high school student exploring early childhood education, a college student seeking classroom experience, a parent wanting to stay connected, a retiree with stories to share, or a community member who simply believes in the power of quality preschool.

What You Will Do

When you give your time in our classrooms, you might find yourself reading a story during circle time, helping children mix colors at the art table, supervising outdoor play on our natural playground, or assisting a teacher as small groups rotate through learning stations. Opportunities are flexible and designed to fit different schedules. You can help for a single special event, once a week, or several times per month. We ask only that everyone complete a brief orientation and background check to ensure the safety of our children.

What You Will Gain

What will you gain from this experience? Many of those who help us describe it as deeply rewarding. You will witness firsthand how young minds light up when they solve a problem, make a friend, or create something beautiful. You will see our Reggio Emilia philosophy in action – teachers asking questions instead of giving answers, children leading their own investigations, and the classroom serving as the “third teacher.”

Being present in this environment offers a window into best practices in early childhood education. Our teachers welcome every helping hand as a valued member of our classroom community. They will show you exactly how to support children’s play without taking over, how to ask open-ended questions that spark deeper thinking, and how to handle the small conflicts that naturally arise among preschoolers.

Who Can Help?

No prior experience is required to support us at Little Nestlings – just a warm smile, patience, and a willingness to learn alongside the children. If you are a student, your time can count toward service learning hours or provide valuable experience for applications to education or child development programs.

If you are a parent or grandparent, offering your time provides a beautiful way to see your child’s school day through new eyes and to build relationships with teachers and other families. If you are a retiree, your presence brings intergenerational connection into our classrooms – children light up when a grandfriend shares a skill like gardening, woodworking, or playing a musical instrument.

Group Opportunities

We also welcome corporate groups for special projects such as refreshing our outdoor classroom, organizing our lending library, or preparing materials for art projects. A group service day can be a wonderful team-building experience while making a real difference for young children.

How to Get Started

To become part of our team at Little Nestlings Early Learning Center, please contact our family engagement coordinator. We will schedule a short phone conversation to learn about your interests, then invite you to tour our school and complete the simple application process.

We ask everyone to commit to at least three visits so children have time to build trust and familiarity with you. That trust is precious – when a shy child runs to greet a returning helper, you will know you have made a real difference.

Final Invitation

So whether you can give your time once a month or once a week, we would be honored to welcome you. Little Nestlings thrives because of our community, and every person who helps strengthens that community. Contact us today to begin your journey. We cannot wait to meet you and to watch the children’s faces light up when a new friend walks through the door.

Home

Facebook