About Little Nestlings Early Learning Center –

About Little Nestlings Early Learning Center – learn our story, mission, and values.

What does your child’s early education mean? At Little Nestlings, we think deeply about that question every day. Our warm, Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in West Linn, Oregon was created by educator Colleen Cleary for children ages 3–5.

About our beginnings: Our story starts with a simple realization. Oregon needs more accessible, high-quality early childhood education. That’s why we care deeply about every child who walks through our doors.

Colleen Cleary, our founder, is a seasoned educator who envisioned a different kind of learning environment – a place where children feel safe, seen, and heard. That’s what Little Nestlings is all about.

Our mission: nurturing the whole child – emotionally, socially, and intellectually. We create a thriving community where natural curiosity leads to discovery. We also focus about competitive compensation for our educators so they can bring their best selves to your children.

The Reggio Emilia approach respects children as capable, resilient, and full of wonder. This philosophy makes the classroom the “third teacher” through careful design that inspires creativity and honors every child’s voice.

About summer camp: Families may choose one week or both weeks, with half-day and full-day options available. Learn more about camp themes and registration through Little Nestlings.

Curious what sets us apart? Come see why we are a premier preschool in West Linn. Ask about a tour. At Little Nestlings, everything we do helps young minds flourish.

Welcome to Our Nest

In the heart of West Linn, Oregon, Little Nestlings Early Learning Center was created by educator Colleen Cleary as a warm, Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool for children ages 3–5.

Recognizing the dire need for quality early childhood education amidst Oregon’s childcare deserts, Little Nestlings Early Learning Center was founded to provide hope and innovation in the educational landscape.

Our center is not merely a preschool; it’s a thriving community where children’s natural curiosity leads to discovery and growth.

Our Beginnings

Our story begins with a simple but powerful realization: Oregon, and West Linn in particular, needs more accessible, high-quality early childhood education.

Colleen Cleary, a seasoned educator with years of experience nurturing young minds, saw this gap firsthand. She recognized the need for an exceptional preschool environment and envisioned a different kind of early learning center: one that would expand access to thoughtful, child-centered early education while setting a high standard of

care, creativity, and connection. the next generation of leaders and innovators through the transformative Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Grounded in her deep understanding of early education development, that vision became the foundation for what is now Little Nestlings Early Learning Center, a preschool that has become a valued part of the West Linn Community. It’s guided by a mission to nurture, inspire, and educate

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to be a nurturing cornerstone of our community, where children, families, staff, and neighbors feel valued, supported, and encouraged.

We believe early education should support the whole child. At Little Nestlings, children are invited to explore their ideas, build confidence, practice social-emotional skills, develop meaningful relationships, and grow in a community where they feel safe, seen, and heard.

OUR VISION

Little Nestlings aspires to revolutionize the early education field and set an unparalleled standard of excellence.

We focus on the well-being of our dedicated educators through competitive compensation and a supportive work environment. This ensures that our staff can bring their best selves to our classrooms daily. In turn, this creates an enriching learning environment for children to thrive.

Our Founder

Colleen Cleary, Founder and Teacher at Little Nestlings, has devoted her career to creating thoughtful learning environments where children are encouraged to explore, express themselves, build social-emotional skills, and grow with confidence.

LITTLE NESTLINGS AT A GLANCE

Little Nestlings Early Learning Center is a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool located at 19200 Willamette Drive in West Linn, Oregon. The school serves children ages 3–5 during the school year and offers summer camps for children ages 3–6. Little Nestlings emphasizes hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, expressive arts, STEAM, storytelling, ASL exposure, social-emotional skill building, and meaningful relationships. Families from West Linn, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, and nearby communities are welcome to schedule a tour.

Schedule a Tour Summer Camps 2026 Curriculum FAQ

At the heart of our curriculum is the Reggio Emilia approach, a philosophy that respects children as strong, capable, resilient, and rich with wonder and knowledge. As a leading preschool in West Linn, we embrace this approach to nurture each child’s deep curiosity and potential.

Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential, and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it.

Our educators, embracing the role of co-learners and collaborators, facilitate an environment where the classroom acts as the third teacher.

This approach fosters an atmosphere of exploration, creativity, and respect for each child’s voice.

We carefully design our spaces to inspire curiosity, instill creativity, and encourage students to engage meaningfully with their environment and each other.

Explore the Little Nestlings Experience

Ready to choose a summer camp?

Explore the camp themes above, then complete registration through Little Nestlings. Families may choose one week or both weeks for most camp themes, with half-day and full-day options available.

See what sets Little Nestlings apart as a premier preschool in West Linn where young, curious minds flourish. Our center is a vibrant community where the joy of learning meets the adventure of discovery. Join our family and watch your child grow in a place where education goes beyond traditional learning.