Family Testimonials

We’re so grateful for our amazing families! All of these reviews are sourced from Google and Yelp.

  • We are so happy we found OCP.
    Our son has only been attending for a couple of weeks and I already feel like he is so loved and supported there. I cannot sing Teacher Erin and Diane’s praises enough. The school fosters each child’s individuality and is ready to meet the kids where they are with open arms, great conversation and beautiful exploration.
    Cailie Y.
  • We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Overlook Collaborative.
    Our 5 and 3 year olds attend and look forward to their days. The communication from Erin, Diane, and Darin is transparent, consistent, and clear. We receive daily newsletters with pictures from the day, the kids love reading them with us and sharing about their day. I so appreciate their empathy, patience, and creativity.
    Kelli D.
  • OCP is an incredibly warm and welcoming learning environment.
    Everything Erin and Diane do—whether it’s the daily journal log or baking a snack or gently teaching my son how to write his name—is done with so much thought and care. My son is both able to access curriculum at his own pace and prompted with a safe and appropriate level of challenge, the perfect balance for him to learn and grow safely.
    Cayla M.
  • We considered bigger, fancier preschools for our daughter, but the owner Erin’s love for the kids is so evident
    … in everything she does that we knew this was the right place for our little girl. She started school here just before she turned three, and it has been amazing to see how much she has learned and grown in the two years since then. Erin and her teachers (Danielle at first, and now Diane) are so warm and supportive of all of the kids and families. Every day they send an email to the community with pictures, stories, and conversations from the day, which I always look forward to reading. I highly recommend this school and its wonderful little community. We’ll definitely miss it when it’s time to move on to kindergarten in the fall.
    Rachel J.
  • Our daughter attends OCP and we could not feel more comfortable and confident with the environment
    … that Emily and Erin have created. Our daughter is a more reserved and quiet child and it has been amazing to see her blossom and gain confidence in her peer to peer and teacher interactions. They take the time to really offer each child support, choices and opportunities to help them feel successful. The other students at the school are so caring, nurturing, and responsible and this is due to the culture Erin and Emily have created. We feel so fortunate to have found this school.
    Lindsay J.
  • This school is a magical place!
    My older son went to preschool here and he thrived! Erin and the teachers are so loving and encouraging, he grew up to love school and learning. Now that he’s a first grader I can still see the results. He’s a great student, confident and a compassionate friend and I believe it all started at preschool. I will be forever grateful to have been part of this community and I’m counting the days until our younger son starts going to preschool as well.
    Maia G.
  • I wholeheartedly recommend OCP!
    My older daughter had a wonderful two years at OCP and my younger daughter is having a great experience there now. Erin has a real passion for teaching and a wealth of knowledge about child development. She has thoughtfully designed the school’s indoor and outdoor spaces to be inviting and stimulating for small explorers. She and her co-teacher do a terrific job facilitating opportunities for the kids to learn through play, and guiding them to gain greater independence, emotional regulation, and friendship skills. I wholeheartedly recommend OCP!
    Kate P.
  • Such a great school with awesome teachers.
    Our daughter had an amazing experience for 2 years at OCP. It was fun to see her enthusiasm of going to school each day and watch her grow and learn new things about the world then share them with us. It’s a well structured, clean, inviting, and positive learning environment for kids.
    Chris J.
  • Fantastic school with caring, thoughtful teachers.
    I love how the kids of all age groups play together and learn from each other. The community of families that has formed around the school is wonderful as well. We’re so happy we found OCP for our daughter!
    Steve G.
  • We absolutely love this school!
    Both of our children have had the most amazing experience with OCP.
    Dawn R.
  • The school offers a cheerful, welcoming, and diverse learning environment
    … that our daughter has loved!
    Ian P.
  • What a special and dynamic home and environment for learning they have created at Overlook Collaborative Preschool.
    From the moment we read the website, visited the school and met the teachers, we knew it was going to be such a dynamic puzzle piece for our son’s learning. We will be forever grateful for the nurturing and beautiful environment he got to jump start his schooling and social skills from. We have seen him grow leaps and bounds since starting and we, as parents, have as well.
    Erin
  • Our son loves preschool and is having the perfect first “school” experience.
    We have had our son at Overlook Collaborative Preschool for the last year and a half and are looking forward to when our daughter starts there next fall. Erin and [her co-teacher] create a wonderful and thoughtful environment for the kids to play, create, and explore. I like the mixed age class and have enjoyed seeing our son take on different roles in the school as he has grown. I have also always been impressed by the behavior and kindness of other kids at the school, which I believe is a reflection on the environment that Erin and Emily create.  Our son loves preschool and is having the perfect first “school” experience.
    Jessica
  • Our daughter is at school at Overlook and having a blast!
    She started as the youngest child in class this year and it’s been wonderful to see her learn and grow with the support of the older kids in school. The collaborative learning approach really works well, and the children genuinely have a special rapport. Erin and Emily have created an amazingly safe and creative space for growth. We found out about OCP from friends and we feel so lucky to be part of this school community.
    Emily H.
  • We spent years walking past this preschool as we took our dogs for walks.
    It always looked like a very happy place.  When we had Anton we looked forward to the opportunity for him to attend OCP – then COVID struck and we had to wait an extra year before they were open and ready to accept students.  Now we have Anton enrolled and love every aspect of it.  We can walk, bike, or when lazy drive over to this total gem. Erin is an engaging teacher who does a fabulous job communicating with daily updates with great photos and stories.  Danielle is a great teacher who you can see enjoys her work.  Anton comes home with stories from every day and really enjoys his time at school – both his peers and the teachers. We are very happy that we have Anton enrolled at OCP.
    Bryan E.
  • Our daughter is at Overlook now. we absolutely love it there and adore the teachers.
    Our daughter is a bit shy (at first) and teacher Erin and Emily have taken the time to really listen to her and nurture her. the environment is exciting, fun, and safe. we feel very fortunate to have founded this amazing preschool and we are enrolling our son this year too!
    Noel L.
  • OCP is a terrific school.
    Watching our son grow and mature there has been amazing as a parent. Erin, Emily, and Darin are so welcoming and fun. The school is a really special little place that’s been designed to use all the space in a very creative way.

    Each day we receive journals, so that we can stay up to date with how our son is interacting and learning. Watching him play and interact for the past two years through the journals is the highlight of my afternoon every day. It is clear from reading the journals and meeting with the staff that they are knowledgeable about early childhood education, and really love what they do.

    The families at OCP have formed a friendly community in which we are happy to be a part. I look forward to the next few years, and for our next son to go there as well
    Rick F.
  • They have taught and encouraged the girls to identify problems and how to generate solutions rather than the rote memorization of traditional preschools.
    My husband and I are long distance grand parents to our two grand daughters who have attended OCP this past year.  They are ages 2 1/2 and 5 years old and participate together in the school program.  I have enjoyed reading about their daily activities in the the 3 page newsletter with photos.  Recently we had the girls for three weeks while their parents were overseas for a work/vacation.  They played and cooperated so well during these several weeks.  They shared and helped each other with a rare disagreement.  I feel that this work and play behavior is carried over from what they have learned in their daily interactions at OCP.  They have taught and encouraged the girls to identify problems and how to generate solutions rather than the rote memorization of traditional preschools. Again thank you for the daily notes, it is a highlight of our day!
    Beth
  • We have been overjoyed with our experience at OCP so far.
    From the day we first met Erin, the love she has for her kiddos and her work was just so apparent and it felt like an immediate YES that we wanted our little guy to spend his first few years at OCP surrounded by that energy. We love the kid-led model of education – the kiddos do art projects, baking, dance parties, yoga, lots of outdoor fun – each day is different depending on what the kiddos are interested in. Erin sends an email newsletter of what went on each day complete with pictures and play-by-play interactions between the kiddos, which are just so sweet to read and be able to get a glimpse into what our guy’s day looks like, and just feels like such a thoughtful touch for what can be a nerve wracking world of sending your child to school for the first time. The intention and presence with each individual kiddo is just so apparent, and we really feel like our guy’s needs are seen and met. After 4 months so far at OCP, we can definitely see his confidence and curiosity growing in a school/community setting, and we’re so excited for him to continue to grow there!
    Sarah T.
  • I appreciate all of the opportunities for language and social skill development embedded into the natural flow of the classroom.
    I have had the opportunity to work and spend time at Overlook Collaborative Preschool as an early childhood consultant. I enjoy the warm, friendly, and comfortable space as a platform to work. The teachers Erin and Emily are consistently engaged with the children and create a nurturing and safe environment for all of the children to grow and develop. As an educator myself, I appreciate all of the opportunities for language and social skill development embedded into the natural flow of the classroom. The materials and activities are geared toward early childhood development and crafted in a creative way. Erin, Emily, and Darin go above and beyond to be connected with the children, families, and professionals who are a part of the Overlook Community Preschool community. I feel as though I learn and am inspired by all them following every visit.
    Stephanie B.
  • Overlook Collaborative Preschool is like family to us.
    We discovered OCP in 2009 when I knew we needed a place for our precocious 2-year old to interact with peers on a regular basis. She spent a full three years at OCP being nurtured and encouraged by preschool owners Erin and Darin and other teachers, including visiting music teachers about once a week. Through those years our daughter learned critical life skills such as confidence, compassion, and a love of learning. Her curious nature was encouraged through the Reggio-inspired approach to teaching, and she also exceeded the academic standards for Kindergarten when that time came. Our younger daughter is now in her third and final year at OCP and thriving as well. OCP is truly a community preschool experience. We feel so fortunate and blessed to have found OCP and to have Erin, Darin, and all of the OCP families in our lives!
    Elke K.
  • Overlook Preschool is a wonderful place for children to learn and grow.
    As educators ourselves, we are appreciative of the learning environment Erin has created which allows each child’s individuality to shine as she guides them through the learning process. As long distance grandparents, the daily newsletter allows us to keep abreast of the school happenings enabling us to have meaningful conversations with our grandchildren regarding the highlights of their day. We are so pleased that our grandchildren have the opportunity to begin their educational journey in such a warm, nurturing environment.
    Chris D.
  • We can’t say enough good things about the daily journals!
    The first thing my daughter says when she wakes up in the morning is – Is it school today? And she is always thrilled when it is. We love creative learning environment Erin and the teachers make at OCP. When we walk into the school we are always greeted by a calm, cheerful and loving classroom. We can’t say enough good things about the daily journals!
    Mike S.
  • Our daughter started at Overlook Collaborative Preschool this fall and she wakes up in the morning so excited about going to school.
    I toured a number of schools before deciding on OCP. The facility is so warm and welcoming. We love the daily journals with pictures and stories emailed to us each day. We are able to ask our daughter about specific things from her day, and carry the things she is learning at school into the home. She has gotten very excited about writing and drawing and in just a few months shows really amazing improvement in both. But most importantly it feels like her learning community is a second home for her, she is always talking about her friends and teachers, even asks me to send photos of things she loves to Erin and Sarah. It is such a wonderful community to be a part of, we can’t wait for her little sister to be able to go to school as well!
    Heidi M.
  • Overlook Collaborative Preschool is welcoming, clean, light and bright, and the space is geared toward calm focus.
    It doesn’t condescend to kids with loud colors or cartoon characters, but feels inspired by the outdoors in a cozy way. The children’s artwork is displayed all over, and even though the school is small there are nooks and crannies where kids can explore and create. We love that the curriculum is driven by the kids and is focused on play and reinforcing to them how capable they are: kids get to choose what to do and how to accomplish their goals in a safe environment. A lot of the decision-making happens as a team with the other children and that kind of collaboration has helped teach our son about sharing the world, give-and-take and supporting others. We have come to really appreciate the peer-to-peer learning that goes on and OCP does a really fantastic job letting it happen and not getting in the way.

    Also, really, everybody agrees: the daily journals are the most amazing thing. It’s very cool to get a snapshot of each school day. Finally, the school has a very clear and comprehensive handbook that outlines rules and expectations for children and parents.
    Katie A.
  • We love Overlook!
    I have toured so many preschools in North Portland and Overlook instantly felt like the right fit for our daughter. We love reading the daily journals and learning about how she has spent her day and what has happened at school. The environment that Erin, Sarah and Darin work to create is warm and welcoming and full of love! Thank you for all you do!
    Annie
  • I just want to say how thankful I am for your approach to child (and adult!) learning.
    Our child will leave Overlook with the strategy to answer questions both by respectful collaboration and with real thinking and creativity, and not regurgitating or waiting for answers. We see it every day at home and hope to learn from our child!
    Joshua
  • I can’t say enough about how much my family loves this preschool!
    When you walk in the door it’s so welcoming, bright and clean. The teacher’s are warm and loving in addition to providing an environment where learning is constantly taking place. My son is truly thriving in the environment the teachers work so hard to create. As parents, the journal we receive every day is so impressive and appreciated. It makes us feel like we are really a part of our son’s day and gives us a platform for continuing learning and discussions at home. We feel so fortunate to be part of such a great community of teachers and families!
    Sarah R.
  • Thank you for the years of love and friendship.
    Being a part of the Overlook Collaborative Preschool community is as important to us today as when it was the first day our child started school. Our appreciation for the love, guidance and joy of learning you have tended in our child is beyond words. Our child has entered kindergarten with great social skills, a strong sense of self confidence. Thank you (Erin, Sarah and Darin) for the passion and attention you bring to your school and each child every day.
    Leslie & Whit
  • We think of OCP as our home away from home.
    Erin has created a warm and safe environment for exploration and play. Following her students’ lead, Erin provides activities that fully engage our son’s imagination. At OCP our son is learning how to be a kind and considerate friend as well as how to express his own ideas with confidence. We LOVE this school!
    Lisa F.
  • We couldn’t be more pleased with the happiness and success our son has had at this school.
    This has been a wonderful place for our son. He loves to go to school and has learned many great life skills. Erin is consistently thoughtful in how she approaches each child and makes each day a unique learning opportunity. I am always amazed at how much they accomplish in 4 hours. We couldn’t be more pleased with the happiness and success our son has had at this school.
    Dan
  • We absolutely love this school and have recommended it to several friends.
    Our son felt comfortable there from the first moment we visited and adores the teachers as well as the friends he has made. The teachers are creative and energetic, finding unique ways to inspire and encourage the children’s natural curiosity, and making sure each child knows that they are a valued member of the community. We are so thankful to have this wonderful preschool in our neighborhood.
    Carly
  • Your school is fabulous and such a great blessing to our family.
    Our child had a great year and has made so many beautiful things and learned so much.
    James
  • Our daughter already feels like part of the OCP family.
    The teachers and the other parents and kids have been so warm and welcoming. We are very appreciative of the eco-minded design of the school’s environments – indoors and outdoors. The school itself is a delightful space filled with so many different learning and play stations. Our daughter’s speech, imagination and pretend play skills have blossomed. She looks forward to every school day and is always sad to leave at the end of the day.
    Kimberly D.
  • We are overjoyed and grateful to have found Overlook Collaborative Preschool.
    We looked for over a year at many different programs for our son and thankfully found Erin. It is a big decision to leave your child with someone else for any length of time and Erin made this an easy and fun process. She is a fantastic teacher who effortlessly creates a loving environment for children to grow and learn. Our son loves her so much he wishes everyday was a school day. I would recommend that every parent check out this program, you will not be disappointed. Thanks Erin for all your hard work, what you do is so important and so appreciated!!!!
    Alex
  • It has been an absolute joy of an experience for the whole family.
    Erin has abundant energy and passion for kids, and she makes sure the kids feel loved and included. She encourages the children to explore, take initiative and does a great job at fostering first friendships. I love the daily journals Erin puts together with pictures and stories from each day. I email those to family and friends so everyone can see the things my son has been learning and sharing at school. Thanks Erin!
    Irina
  • This place is fabulous!
    Our son has never had any other care givers than his family. He LOVES his teacher and new friends. Continually he comes home sharing about new things he’s experienced and skills he’s acquired. We searched long and hard to find a good fit for him. You must check this place out.
    Heather
  • I LOVE these school journals!
    What an extraordinary teacher Erin is, and the kids’ curiosity and empathy are so poignant. The kids are blessed to be in such a remarkable preschool.
    Sandy
  • Erin and her school so embody what everybody loves about being a kid
    … and being with kids at it’s ultimate most wonderful!
    Jemila
  • We feel so incredibly lucky we found this school. It is a magical loving space for kids to fall in love with learning and school.
    The teachers are so lovely, caring and deeply attuned to each child’s needs and individual interests. They foster learning through play as well as focusing on social emotional development setting kids up for success not just in school settings but in life. They take time to send a thoughtful newsletter each day highlighting what they did that day which is always a highlight of my day to read. My three year old is having a wonderful first school experience here. It feels so good to drop him off in such an enriching loving space and know he is going to have a wonderful day. I can’t say enough good things about it!
    Kathleen C.
  • The best preschool, with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
    Erin is an expert at her field and is kind and compassionate.
    Sarra D.
  • OCP is a gem of a preschool.
    All the children are well-loved and celebrated. Learning is child-driven and wholistic in nature. Play is truly honored and prioritized. Cooperation is modeled and encouraged. It is easy to see Teacher Erin and her team love what they do. Every time we drop off our little one, I see that he is in good hands, but perhaps even more importantly, I FEEL like he is in good hands. We will always hold this little school close to our hearts!
    Hillary M.
  • We found OCP on a whim google search. I wish we had found it earlier, but it was the perfect timing when we did.
    Our daughter felt at home right away. The child-centered, child-lead style of education at OCP creates a warm environment that encourages learning in any avenue a child chooses. Our daughter went from a child who didn’t want to go to school (at her old preschool), to a child that couldn’t wait to get there. The daily journals give you, as a parent, a little window into the daily adventures of the school. The way that the teachers talk to the kids encourage their own investigations of the world around them, and never puts them down. Rather than making a child feel “bad” they help them learn through their mistakes and explore their world with fascination. I highly recommend OCP!
    Mina W.
  • We Love Overlook!!!!!
    My son has been there for almost a year now and we are so happy with it. He is really learning so much, making great friends, eating healthy, playing outside, etc. etc. He is learning so much from the teachers and also from other kids. One of my favorite things about the school is how consistently clean it always is and also the newsletter; everyday you receive a newsletter detailing highlights from the day. It’s so wonderful to have that insight. I honestly would recommend this school to everyone! -just don’t take my kids spot- LOL!
    Sofia M.
  • Finding the right preschool felt overwhelming, and I was so relieved when we landed a spot at Overlook.
    My son attended for nearly two years, and it was truly the perfect fit for our family.

    Erin (the owner and lead teacher), Diane (assistant teacher), and Darin (Erin’s husband) are all such delightful people. They make you feel like there are no “silly questions,” and they treat every child as unique and good. Whether your child is slow to warm, a rule follower, spirited–everyone feels welcome and understood.

    Erin is incredibly consistent, organized, and attentive to cleanliness, yet she brings such warmth and ease to the classroom. She’s also wonderful at communication, always ready to help when you have questions about your child’s behavior or development.

    One of my favorite things about Overlook is the daily journal Erin sends to parents. It’s filled with photos, snippets of the kids’ conversations, and stories from the day. It’s such a thoughtful way to stay connected to your child’s experience, and when your kid moves on, she even gifts you a binder of selected journals for your child. Truly priceless.

    The school day is filled with fun, engaging activities that encourage the kids to explore their own interests, and Erin does a fantastic job following their lead. Beyond the classroom, I gained an unexpected but invaluable community of parents. We built friendships, met at the park, had playdates, and celebrated birthdays together. That sense of connection was something I didn’t even know I needed.

    As vegetarians, I also appreciated that the school shares those values, which made it feel like an even better fit for our family.

    Overlook is more than just a preschool–it’s a truly supportive and joyful community. I’m so grateful my son got to start his early education there.
    Cristin D.
  • My grandson started attending Overlook Collaborative Preschool last September. Erin and Danielle are wonderful teachers.
    They care so much about the students and create such imaginative learning opportunities. I am so impressed by the daily communication provided to the parents. They really get to know each student and support their natural interests. For my grandson that’s all things animals  He looks forward to seeing his teachers and friends on school days and often leaves reluctantly when the school day ends.
    Mary F.
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Carl Post
Highly recommend. Very nice people and our kids loved going there.
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Cayla McLean
OCP is an incredibly warm and welcoming learning environment. Everything Erin and Diane do—whether it’s the daily journal log or baking a snack or gently teaching my son how to write his name—is done with so much thought and care. My son is both able to access curriculum at his own pace and prompted with a safe and appropriate level of challenge, the perfect balance for him to learn and grow safely.
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Kelli Downey
We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Overlook Collaborative. Our 5 and 3 year olds attend and look forward to their days. The communication from Erin, Diane, and Darin is transparent, consistent, and clear. We receive daily newsletters with pictures from the day, the kids love reading them with us and sharing about their day. I so appreciate their empathy, patience, and creativity.
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Rachel Jacks
We considered bigger, fancier preschools for our daughter, but the owner Erin's love for the kids is so evident in everything she does that we knew this was the right place for our little girl. She started school here just before she turned three, and it has been amazing to see how much she has learned and grown in the two years since then. Erin and her teachers (Danielle at first, and now Diane) are so warm and supportive of all of the kids and families. Every day they send an email to the community with pictures, stories, and conversations from the day, which I always look forward to reading. I highly recommend this school and its wonderful little community. We'll definitely miss it when it's time to move on to kindergarten in the fall.
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Cailie Yates
We are so happy we found OCP. Our son has only been attending for a couple of weeks and I already feel like he is so loved and supported there. I cannot sing Teacher Erin and Diane’s praises enough. The school fosters each child’s individuality and is ready to meet the kids where they are with open arms, great conversation and beautiful exploration.
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Steve
Fantastic school with caring, thoughtful teachers. I love how the kids of all age groups play together and learn from each other. The community of families that has formed around the school is wonderful as well. We're so happy we found OCP for our daughter!
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Sarah Trotta
We have been overjoyed with our experience at OCP so far. From the day we first met Erin, the love she has for her kiddos and her work was just so apparent and it felt like an immediate YES that we wanted our little guy to spend his first few years at OCP surrounded by that energy. We love the kid-led model of education - the kiddos do art projects, baking, dance parties, yoga, lots of outdoor fun - each day is different depending on what the kiddos are interested in. Erin sends an email newsletter of what went on each day complete with pictures and play-by-play interactions between the kiddos, which are just so sweet to read and be able to get a glimpse into what our guy’s day looks like, and just feels like such a thoughtful touch for what can be a nerve wracking world of sending your child to school for the first time. The intention and presence with each individual kiddo is just so apparent, and we really feel like our guy’s needs are seen and met. After 4 months so far at OCP, we can definitely see his confidence and curiosity growing in a school/community setting, and we’re so excited for him to continue to grow there!
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Kate Parker
My older daughter had a wonderful two years at OCP and my younger daughter is having a great experience there now. Erin has a real passion for teaching and a wealth of knowledge about child development. She has thoughtfully designed the school's indoor and outdoor spaces to be inviting and stimulating for small explorers. She and her co-teacher do a terrific job facilitating opportunities for the kids to learn through play, and guiding them to gain greater independence, emotional regulation, and friendship skills. I wholeheartedly recommend OCP!
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Julie and Allen Nelson (The Nelsons)
Erin's love for education has been present for as long as I've known her. Her beautiful school aims to communicate with families daily and provide them with education about how their child is growing and developing. As a fellow educator myself I can see how her attention to detail is what supports the children in their learning daily. Overlook Preschool is an amazing community, it's aesthetic reflects the community of learners and their interests, changing with them through the years.
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