Entry-Level Preschool in Cedar Mill, OR

Tembo Tots: Structured Early Preschool, Starting at Age 3

The Tembo Tots Entry-Level Preschool at Safari Kid Cedar Mill welcomes children starting at 3 years, offering an early structured preschool entry point. Built around a smooth transition between home and school, the program gives toddlers a nurturing and trustworthy environment where curiosity comes naturally, and confidence grows at their own pace. Our proprietary, research-driven curriculum draws from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and other respected early childhood methodologies to address every dimension of a young child’s development.

Starting school is a meaningful milestone for children and parents alike. We design the Tembo Tots experience so that separation feels gradual and safe, relationships with teachers develop quickly, and each child arrives knowing they belong.

Comprehensive Learning for Well-Rounded Growth

Our entry-level preschool program nurtures six interconnected development domains rather than treating them as separate subjects. Cognitive, language and literacy, physical, social and emotional, and health and care development are woven together across activities, so children build skills in context rather than in isolation.

Highlights of the Tembo Tots Program

• Cognitive Development: Exploring numbers, solving puzzles, and hands-on projects spark curiosity and critical thinking. Open-ended art projects and creative play deepen that sense of discovery.
• Language and Literacy Development: Storytime, phonics games, and word activities build early reading and writing foundations. Children are also introduced to basic words in foreign languages and sign language, broadening how they communicate and connect.
• Physical Development: Fine motor skills are strengthened through drawing, painting, and manipulating small objects. Outdoor active play, indoor movement, and simple yoga stretches build coordination, flexibility, and strength.
• Social and Emotional Development: Cooperative play, turn-taking, and sharing teach children how relationships work. Guided emotion identification helps them name what they feel before they can fully explain it.
• Health and Care Development: Mindfulness and breathing techniques give children practical tools for managing big feelings. Guided conflict resolution practice builds self-regulation skills that support kindergarten readiness and continued growth.

Keeping Cedar Mill Families in the Loop

At Safari Kid Cedar Mill, parent involvement is a cornerstone of everything we do. We use Procare to share regular updates and developmental assessments, so families stay closely connected to their child’s progress between drop-off and pickup. Beyond day-to-day communication, we host family workshops and community events throughout the year. These gatherings help parents understand curriculum goals, celebrate milestones, and build relationships with other Cedar Mill families in our program.