Sonbeam Daycare Center

Information may not be reliable

Sonbeam PreSchool & DayCare is a Christian, not-for-profit childcare program, with preschool provided for all children enrolled. The Center was started by Temple Baptist Church twenty years ago to provide care for the many children represented by the employees in the Lloyd Center community. However, many families from outside this area have realized the convenience of our location to the downtown and many other areas serviced by public transportation. The MAX line delivers people to within four short blocks of Sonbeam and we are located within the free square for parents driving to parking near our facility and hopping the free ride into downtown Portland. Sonbeam Day Care is a developmentally-based daycare center. The main floor is separated into learning centers and classrooms by moveable dividers. Learning centers are designed with appropriate materials to stimulate normal development of the child from 2½ years through pre-kindergarten age. Materials are provided for the child to use according to his or her developmental level of skill and complexity. Children are encouraged, through guidance in their play, to explore the various areas and use materials at a level corresponding to each child's developmental stage and age

Teachers are aware of developmental ages and stages of the children whom they are guiding, and encourage each child to practice new skills, feel confident about already developed skills, and give suggestions for exploring the next skill to develop.

Each class teaches Bible stories, concepts, songs, and memory verses, with lessons presented according to the developmental age of children in the class. Class time is used by teachers to develop language skills, pre-reading skills, fine motor development, and to provide various art materials for exploration and enrichment. Preschool classes are structured to enhance the child's development in the five areas of physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and social growth.
The 2½ to 3 year old child learns developmentally appropriate concepts and skills during class time through play. Bible lessons concentrate on familiar and simple Bible concepts and stories. Cooking activities allow children to use all five senses, stimulate language development through discussion of ingredients and the process of mixing them together, observation of mixing parts, baking, and tasting the finished product. Cooking, playing games, and working in the learning centers all give two's the opportunity to practice language skills, learn to use words rather than aggression to get along with others, and practice social interaction skills.
Books, learning center activities, games, and informal conversations with the teacher allow opportunities for normal language development as children learn special relations (in front of, behind, over, under, in front of, in back of, etc.), comparisons, (bigger, fattest, tallest, first, second, last), concepts (color, texture, size, weight, etc.), time concepts (day and night, soon, the first, before, yesterday, tomorrow, last night, today, last week) , and weather awareness. Opportunities for practicing cutting may begin with play dough before the child is ready for paper. Opportunities for fine motor skills are available in the classroom, and in learning center areas.

" In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-941- or call, toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866)377-8642 (relay voice users.). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."

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