In the heart of West Linn, Oregon, a unique early learning center was born out of a shared dream between a visionary mother-daughter duo, Eloise Bates and Colleen Cleary.
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 story began with a simple yet profound realization: the state of Oregon, and particularly West Linn, was in desperate need of quality, accessible early childhood education, including a premier preschool.
With her extensive business background and passion for making a tangible difference in the community, Eloise Bates discovered an alarming gap in the availability of quality childcare.
Colleen Cleary, a seasoned educator with years of experience nurturing young minds, shared this concern.
Together, they envisioned a new kind of early learning center—one that would address the scarcity of quality preschool care and set a new standard for educational excellence.
Eloise and Colleen’s partnership combined a deep understanding of early childhood education with robust business acumen, laying the foundation for a preschool that would become a cornerstone of the West Linn community.
Little Nestlings emerged from this partnership, driven by a mission to nurture, inspire, and educate the next generation of leaders and innovators.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to be a nurturing cornerstone of our community, where children, families, staff, and neighbors feel esteemed and encouraged.
We believe in the transformative power of education, not just in academics but in fostering a culture where every individual feels valued, supported, and inspired to explore their full potential.
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.
Eloise Bates, co-founder and visionary behind Little Nestlings, brings over 25 years of experience in business management, accounting, and finance.
Her passion for community service and education reform drives the strategic direction of our center.
Colleen Cleary, co-founder and educational force of Little Nestlings, has dedicated her career to the development and implementation of innovative teaching strategies.
Her expertise in the Reggio Emilia approach shapes our curriculum and teaching philosophy, ensuring that each child’s learning journey is rich, personalized, and deeply respectful of their individuality.
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
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.