Early Childhood Education

Our programs serve expecting families and children ages 0-5.

Eligibility varies throughout the program. Generally speaking, we serve residents of Grand Ronde and Native American families. Some programs have income requirements while others have a sliding fee.

Most of our program is income based and there are no associated fees for those.  For families over the income threshold we have a sliding fee scale based on the Federal Poverty Level.  To check eligibility please call or email us.

Submit an application (Click here for the application) Applications are accepted year-round, however, we do selection and placement each year in June for the following school year. You must apply before this date in order to be considered in the first round of placement.

Enrollment requirements vary from program to program, but most slots are reserved for low-income families.  If your family is not below the federal poverty level, there is a chance that you will not be enrolled.  We are allowed a limited number of over-income families in our need-based programs.  Families are selected to fill these slots based on risk and need. Risk is determined by a number of factors that are identified during the application process and include a wide range, including disabilities, homelessness, incarceration and foster care status.  Those families with the highest risk factors will be selected to fill vacancies in the program, regardless of the application date. 

Applications are accepted year-round, however, we do selection and placement each year in June for the following school year. You must apply before this date in order to be considered in the first round of placement.

Our program offers comprehensive programming to support children and families, including child development, screening and assessment, health screenings, family goal setting and referrals for specialized services. 

Some families are enrolled in a home based programs and others in our center-based preschool: 

• Our center-based preschool uses Creative Curriculum, ZooPhonics and Conscious Discipline.
• The home-based program uses Partners for a Healthy Baby as their primary curriculum. 

In addition, we supplement our curriculum with cultural-based learning experiences facilitated through the Culture Education Program. 

The school calendar varies from year to year but we typically start school a week after Labor Day and we typically end the school year the third Friday in August.

Classes open at 7:45 in the morning and run until 2:00 pm. After care closes at 5:15

We are closed for all holidays the Tribe observes and several days throughout the year for In-Service training. We also close for a break in December and again in March. Each year we publish a school calendar with all of the school closure dates identified.

Our program is located on the Tribal Campus in Building K.  Most of our staff work out of this building but some are housed in the Adult Education building. 

We provide transportation on a limited basis.  Most bus stops are located in convenient public locations throughout Grand Ronde, Willamina and Sheridan. Bus routes vary from year to year.

Enrollment requirements vary from program to program, but most slots are reserved for low-income families.  If your family is not below the federal poverty level, there is a chance that you will not be enrolled.  We are allowed a limited number of over-income families in our need-based programs.  Families are selected to fill these slots based on risk and need. Risk is determined by a number of factors that are identified during the application process and include a wide range, including disabilities, homelessness, incarceration and foster care status.  Those families with the highest risk factors will be selected to fill vacancies in the program, regardless of the application date.  

Another reason one might not be accepted into the program is work status. Our CCDF slots are reserved for families that need child care in order to work, attend school or participate in on-the-job training.  If you are over income and are not selected for the needs-based program, you may qualify for one of these slots if you are a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe.

You may not qualify for services at our center because you live outside of Grand Ronde and are not a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe. Non-Tribal families that live outside of Grand Ronde are referred to Head Start of Yamhill County for services in Sheridan.