Campus Early Learning Center
Little Beavs Early Learning Center, operated by the OSU-Cascades, is reservable campus child care. Our license-exempt child care is guided by Oregon’s Early Learning Division licensing standards and is informed by the field of Early Childhood Education and its best practices as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
We are pursuing national accreditation through the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC). The Academy administrates the only national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for child care centers. Accredited programs undergo internal program review and evaluation as well as an external professional assessment to verify compliance with the Academy’s criteria and standards every 3-5 years.
Little Beavs is a proud partner with Neighbor Impact Baby Promise, an infant-toddler initiative targeted to serve low-income families in communities struggling to find and keep high quality care for up to three years of age. Little Beavs Child Care feels all children have the right to equitable and inclusive learning opportunities.
We are currently pursuing a quality rating score through Spark. Spark is Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). It is a voluntary program designed to support and recognize high quality early childhood care and education programs.
Our Families
Parents or guardians are the child’s first teachers. We ask that parents/guardians maintain and uphold the core values of our program. Little Beavs has an open door policy for our parents/guardians, meaning we welcome parents/guardians into our classrooms to visit and assist their child in transitioning for their day.
Generally, parents/guardians are not expected to stay beyond drop off or pick up unless previously arranged but we would love to encourage volunteering to support our classroom teachers whether it is inside or outside of the classroom. Such things could include: monthly library book checkouts, preparations for an upcoming project, running a small group within the classroom or time/supply donations.
Our Educators
We believe there are three protagonists — the child, the parent(s) and the teacher(s) who work together to create a vibrant and healthy first learning community for each child and family. The perspective each individual brings to the community is important in shaping and defining the learning.
Little Beavs educators strive to embody qualities and habits of mind that are not measured by traditional standards but are important to work with young children.
- Filled with a positive attitude of respect, passion and joy
- Intentional at preparing environments, materials, and experiences that support children’s creativity, learning and daily well-being
- Attuned observers, listeners, and communicators who strive to make visible the thinking and learning processes of children, families and teachers
- Professionals who are passionate about the art of teaching and committed to staying current on child development research and best practice in the field
- Life-long learners who are eager to share their knowledge, genuine curiosity and passions with children, families and colleagues
- Collaborators who engage fully and build strong partnerships with families and our communities
- Dedicated to promoting a strong and authentic image of the child as competent and whole and to advocating for the importance of Early Childhood Education
Directors
Dayna Swanson
Early Learning Center Director
I am a licensed teacher who has lived in Bend since 2015. I grew up in Marin County, CA and have a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from studies at San Diego State University and Dominican University of CA. I have dual teaching credentials in elementary education and K-12 special education. I also hold a Master’s in Education with an endorsement in special education. Prior to my five years in elementary education, I worked for more than 10 years in early childhood education, starting as an assistant and moving up to program manager. I feel so fortunate to re-join the early childhood community. I have always had a passion for early childhood education and the learning that takes place in those early years. I believe every child is special and unique, and that young children learn best through play, exploration and each other. My husband, Bryan, and I moved to Bend for the outdoor lifestyle and friendly community. We got married and started a family here in Bend. Our children Ryleigh (4) and Maverick (2) are proud students of Little Beavs Child Care and are excited to come to school everyday!
Kristen Wright
Early Learning Center Assistant Director
I have lived in Bend since 2015 with my husband, two children and our rescue puppy Maddie. In 2021, I completed a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, with a specialization in infant toddler mental health from Portland State University. Prior to that, I received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in family and human services. Over the last 12 years, I have worked with children 2-5 in classrooms as well as with pregnant women, children 0-3 and their families as a home visitor, then ultimately supervising home visitors. Through my experiences, I have gained a deep understanding of the value family engagement and family-child interactions have on a child’s development and well-being. I believe learning experiences shouldn’t end when school does, and early learning is a partnership between the home and the school.