How Can We Build More Preschools?

Partnerships open the door for many more children and families to have access to high-quality neighborhood preschools. We seek partners within Oregon who share our vision and want an AEME preschool co-located in Portland-metro communities.

Our programs:

  • Are tuition-free for families and no cost to site hosts
  • Address language disparities and help dual-language learners develop English writing/reading skills
  • Provide community outreach and culturally responsive education

We do the work to fund, plan, open and operate the preschools. But we need the physical spaces that school districts, community centers, and culturally specific organizations offer to make more preschools a reality

I’m so in love with what AEME has built with Alder Montessori/Alder Elementary School. I want every child in Oregon to have access to a program as thoughtful, loving and skilled as yours.

 

Make that dream happen.

— Dana Hepper, Director of Policy & Advocacy, Children’s Institute

The doors of the Alder classrooms open into the magic of Montessori. Happy. Busy. Independent. Creative. Watching the children confirms Montessori thrives when we give children what they need. That is happening at AEME/Alder Montessori.

— Sue Pritkzer,
Montessori Education Consultant

Alder Montessori is the starting point for kids and families at Alder. It is the place where partnerships with the whole family begin and independent learners begin to flourish.

— Joy Leising,
RSD Program and Partnership Administrator, Greater Than

I’m Part of a School District with Space

I Want to Build/Remodel a Space

What Makes a Great Partner

Our tuition-free programs and commitment to removing access barriers to early education have proven to work. Part of why this model has been successful is because AEME collaborates with you to ensure our partnership is a win-win for partners, families and the community.

With a significant shortage of preschool sites in the Portland-metro area, AEME has struggled to find locations to provide these programs. With the right partner and location, the AEME team is ready to host new preschoolers and their families in your community.

Ideal Spaces for an AEME Preschool

  • Public school districts
  • Charter or private Montessori schools – to be tuition-free
  • Culturally Specific Organizations
  • Affordable Housing Providers
  • Community Service Organizations
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Child Care Centers who want a Preschool partner
  • Churches and other owners of properties great for a preschool

What We Ask of Site Hosts

  • Rent free or low-rent space for a period of at least 6 years (if no renovations needed), 10 years with renovations.
  • An outdoor area with protected access during some or part of the day for our children/program.
  • Information on other Host partnerships who also serve children and families.
  • Collaboration on initial outreach and information sessions to local families to confirm interest and the local family’s needs related to number of classrooms, student transportation, nutrition program, translation supports, educational model, and school schedule.
  • Discussion on deeper collaborations depending on Host Partner: Student transportation program, nutritional program, janitorial services, or special services goals.

Our Location Requirements

  • Within Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington County in Oregon
  • The Host has space for 2-4 classrooms and an office
  • Bathroom & Kitchen Spaces
  • Walkable/student transportation program friendly
  • Dedicated outdoor area appropriate for very young children – 75 sf per student
  • Community Family Demographics: Number Overall & Economic, Racial, Language Disparities

What We Provide as a Partner

  • Furnishings, educational materials, and classroom/office supplies and equipment.
  • Renovation of space as needed for a welcoming, safe and child-centered preschool.
  • Purchase and collaborate with our host for any installation of outdoor play equipment.
  • Operation of the program, all costs covered at no cost to the Host Partner or Families we serve.
  • Responsible for community outreach and partnership development on behalf of the families.
  • High standards – we will meet or exceed State and local early childhood licensing requirements.
  • Recruit, hire, train, support and compensate skilled educators (competitive pay and benefits).
  • Excellence in early childhood Montessori education, either school year- or year-round model.
  • Take care of the children during each school day. Meals, snacks, and napping needs.

How It Works

AEME is committed to our children and communities for the long haul. We’ve found that when families have access to education that is convenient and near where they live and play, it’s great for everyone involved. Here’s a deep dive on how we make our early childhood education approach work alongside our partner sites.
 

How We Work with Families

We engage families through a variety of means to ensure we’ve being successful and providing the services they need.

  • We conduct community outreach to local families with the highest needs within your school catchment area for enrollment.
  • We help families to access resources they need and emphasize the importance of stable daily school attendance.
  • Our families will have lots of access to parent events with our school, and we love to collaborate to build engagement and connection with host site. We use interpreters and arrange for parent handbooks translations.
  • We assist families with transition into kindergarten and elementary school.
  • We provide families with books and resources to read to their children and actively lead their education.
  • We can increase connections with health programs for very young children and families.
  • Providers gain feedback from parents on what they want, need, and value for their families.
  • We recruit and hire classroom assistants from the community.

How We Operate the Program Financially

All operational costs are covered by AEME at no cost to the Host Partner or Families we serve.

  • Furnishings, educational materials, and classroom/office supplies and equipment. We purchase for opening and are responsible for refreshing/replacing ongoing.
  • Staff salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, and workers compensation.
  • Staff recruiting, professional development, substitute coverage and staff supervision and support.
  • Student snacks during the school day.

We take full responsibility for financial and compliance operations for the classroom(s) educational program.

  • ECE Grant applications, reports and compliance.
  • Invoicing, bookkeeping and financial reports.
  • Childcare licensing and compliance as a Certified Child Care Center, initial and annual renewal. Handling of all compliance and inspections. Water testing, Sanitation Inspections, Child Care Licensure Inspections and coordination with Fire Marshall Inspections.
  • Insurance coverage: Student Accident, General Liability, Crime Insurance, Professional Liability.
  • Non-Profit business license and tax filings.

Our Education Model

We deliver excellence in early childhood education through a unique approach that brings accessible and high-quality learning to every child.

  • Our programs have active wait lists, and we can serve as an enticing special benefit for families in your school and school district.
  • Our educational model is highly effective with dual language learners. Our classrooms emphasize language development, preparing our children to gain the English writing and reading skills they will need in your classrooms.
  • High attendance rates and standards – preparing children and families for strong attendance when they transition into elementary grades.
  • Children learn grace and courtesy lessons to use in everyday school and home life and gain social emotional self-regulation skills.
  • We conduct screenings and formative assessments for all of our students. This includes Ages & Stages questionnaires and referrals into services at a young age when interventions have the greatest opportunity to be of benefit.

Do You Have Space? Are You a Possible Site Host?

AEME eagerly seeks partnerships with organizations that are passionate about making a meaningful investment in the lives of local children. By offering their facilities as hosts for tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools, these organizations can join forces with AEME in shaping a brighter future for the community’s youngest learners.

Site Host Interest Form

Address/ Location of possible host site

Have a Partner in Mind?

Please consider sending our promotional Story to them.

AEME Partners With Funders

When we partner with a funder we make your contribution matter—great things happen:

  • We leverage private and government resources.
  • We can expand access and open new schools and classrooms.
  • We can provide excellence in early childhood education.
  • We can provide families and communities the Montessori option—kid centered education always.

Our Partners

Black and green logo for Reynolds School District
Preschool for All Logo
Preschool Promise logo showing a potted plant on a background of purple, green, gold, and violet
Social Venture Partners Logo

Enhanced Support for Students and Their Families

together we are Greater Than logo
The Library Foundation logo