WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR.
Please use the contact form to schedule a phone call and a visit.
Reflections
Dive into the everyday magic of preschool life at The Understory. Here we share glimpses of our days—full of creative play, garden explorations, budding friendships, silly adventures, and quiet moments of wonder. These stories celebrate the brilliance and joy in every child ages 3–5 within our small, warm home-based community in Southeast Portland.
Enrolling now
Enrolling now for 2026-2027 school year! Spring is springing, birds are singing, and children are turning 3 years old and getting ready to join a community of friends. Our inclusive, nurturing, and very fun preschool is excited to meet new children and families.
Pedicures
Feels so good! And a nice cool rinse at the end.
Rain, scissors, flubber and friends
Gluing and stacking so many pieces of paper... Nasturtium leaves are very good for practicing with scissors. Tending the campfire. (You know it's a pretend campfire, right?)Flubber! Ceramic clay. Hydrological engineering.
First week of the new school year
Such a happy week! Returning to old friendships, starting new friendships. Lots of imaginative play, few tears. Lots of success on the toilet, too! Grapes, pears, and plums from the garden.
Video games at school?
These three friends built this "video game" and played it all morning.
Pajama day
And all the friends who joined us.
Ice sculptures
So many shapes and colors and treasures! And we got to see them again the next day, too.
Roasting Marshmallows by the Campfire
"Hey! Don't put your marshmallow all the way in the fire or it will burn up!"
And more January
Digging caves for mice and other creatures in the roots of the stump, arranging chairs to read books with friends, everyone joins in to take turns climbing up the slide, and being silly with Granny.