GRAY SKIES and BLUE SKIES...

all above a wondrous landscape of flora and fauna in Portland, Oregon.       

At Near and Dear, children are

ENCOURAGED to:

• experience nature and foster an ecological identity. 

• freely express and identify their feelings and needs.

• practice communication that is clear, authentic, and considerate of others.

• play, work, and party their hearts out.

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Children are EMPOWERED to:​

• acquire and master new skills at their own pace.

• independently/interdependently participate in daily tasks.

• take risks, solve problems, and process complex feelings.

• support one another in an inclusive, non-hierarchical setting.