Morris Street Learning Garden is a home-based childcare program recorded by the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care. This is the same place where the director and steward of this learning community grew up. Since 2022, Caitlyn, her father, and neighborhood collaborators have dedicated countless hours to transforming the space from a single-family home to an exceptionally kid-friendly place to grow, play, and learn.
Our Roots
The Land
The Land is a precious and treasured partner in all learning that takes place here at Morris Street Learning Garden. Before it was home to Caitlyn and her family, it was a meaningful partner in the lifeways of the Indigenous people of this region. Ultimately, Caitlyn plans to return this land to the care of Indigenous stewards. In recognition of the injustices that have made it possible for this learning community to exist as it does, Caitlyn offers monthly donations or “Settler Rent” to the Indigenous communities who have been forced away from these lands. The following links are helpful resources for making sense of the ongoing violence that defines the settler-colonial condition of this Land—please review them thoughtfully and reach out with any questions.
Situated on a spacious quarter-acre lot, MSLG prioritizes outdoor activities including free play, gardening, building projects, and farm animal care. Stroll through the Sensory Spiral, hide out in the shade of the Elderberry Cave, and watch the leaves of the Dogwood tree rustle from the comfort of a breezy hammock: the garden was grown to be a place where kids feel inspired to slow down and tune in.
The Garden
Of course, not all play is meant to be serene…Unlike school environments, at MSLG, children are encouraged to participate in risky play that challenges them to learn problem-solving skills, build resilience and collaborate with their peers. Climb that tree! Look under that rock! Pick up a worm! Build a bridge or roll a big barrel from one side of the yard to the other–and rest assured knowing that a trained play facilitator is on-hand to keep the risks from getting too extreme.
Regardless of the weather, children have a place to play at MSLG. The indoor space is climate-controlled and equipped with efficient air-purification systems that reduce allergens and limit possible viral transmission.
There is a space for all kinds of indoor play: the Squishy Room is the perfect place for getting out all those big wiggles when it’s just too hot or too wet to be outdoors, the Delicate Room is equipped with everything a curious young creator needs to bring their visions to life, and the main living area is a hub for community-building activities, storytelling, and games.
The Home
The Squishy Room
Sensory-seeking kids rejoice at the opportunity to indulge their needs for proprioceptive and vestibular input that is rarely welcomed in classroom environments.
Swing around in the ceiling-mounted silk swings, crash into the memory foam pad or giant beanbag, tumble across the mattress—it’s all encouraged in this squishy-filled space.
kids are invited to slow down, focus, and engage with activities that require their focus and fine-motor skills.
At MSLG, our projects are always child-led and open-ended. Projects often span many days or even weeks: kids are limited only by their own ideas and creativity (and safety, of course), not adults’ timelines or curricular demands.
The Delicate Room
The rest of the house is cool, too!
Library
an expansive, thoughtfully curated library of books and games
Dining Room
a spacious dining table where we gather to eat and connect
Project Closet
shelves full of crafting supplies and tools to bring their creative visions into reality
“The first time we visited [...] I was immediately struck by the proud display of anti-racist, anti-capitalist, pro-community posters all over the house. We moved to the back yard and I saw the giant queer pride flags woven into the back fence. [...] These were all huge green flags that told me you would provide a good space for our child that matched our values.”