What is APlace2Grow

APlace2Grow is a registered(license# RF539036) home daycare based in Portland, Oregon that prioritizes natural learning and play.

We believe in great beginnings. We are passionate about nature-based play for children, where they can learn to play with and discover things like rocks, dirt, trees, bugs, flowers, mud, and water through elemental nature. Kids must also be free to dig, collect, climb, build, and hide. Hands-on experiences in nature help build stronger, smarter, and happier children, and we believe that quality education for young children includes regular opportunities to connect with nature and the environment.

As children learn to care for themselves and others, they also learn to care for the world around them. Experiencing and learning about the environment in early childhood builds a foundation for lifelong environmental literacy. We are united in ensuring that every child enjoys nature and the environment as part of an excellent early childhood education.

At APlace2Grow, every child is unique, with their success and growth coming from extensive encouragement and praise.
Children learn best by experiencing life and the world at their own pace. Accordingly, my lesson plans will be built according to each child’s needs and abilities.

We build every child’s self-esteem and confidence through positive feedback and rewards. Children will enter a wonderful world where their imagination and self-expression will flourish. Our daily activities and routines foster curiosity, creativity, and self-esteem by considering the child’s abilities and interests. We emphasize child-initiated, age-appropriate, and supported play as part of my daycare’s philosophy.

Our Mission

From the early stages of my life, we used to hear from my grandma about one of her favorite mantras.

“The seeds are the most important part of the tree’s growth.“

The same rules follow when it comes to raising children. They will thrive if we can work together to provide them with a positive atmosphere and loving environment early in their life.

We also believe in devoting time to living things to make them flourish, rather than spending time on non-living things. This rule has led me to this point in my life with a clear vision and immense passion for creating a place for children who will gain more knowledge and experience from an outdoor environment.

By nurturing creative and constructive thinking in young minds, we can elevate our emotional intelligence and create a more harmonious world. Childhood learning is incomplete without hands-on activities, which will help children grow from their own experiences and mistakes. By providing a unique education, we can transform children’s visions into reality.

On our small farm (almost 4 acres), we will embark upon a journey of growing from nature. The farm will be the classroom, and nature will be the teacher – inculcating the three basic principles of life: care for oneself and others, care for the earth, and sharing fairly.

A nature-focused daycare may be an excellent solution for our nature-starved and electronics-addicted children, leading them toward a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life. Watching children become less grounded in their world shocks me as a parent, and I believe we can work together to address this.

Why “APlace2Grow”

As someone who has always appreciated the bounties of nature, felt that something was missing from local early education system. As an advocate of nature-friendly practices, We always encourages and promotes awareness of environmental responsibilities and implements practices that contribute to a clean and non-toxic sustainable future, which also immediately benefits the health and well-being of children in my care. We believe that children should experience the world through their hands, hearts and minds. The school is dedicated to provide children with the awareness of the beautiful world that they live in while delivering fun activities that will let children learn. Children also get to practice their school readiness skill organically and naturally through fun play and games. We promise a gleeful muddy childhood in the great outdoors that is full of learning, exploration, fun and wonder. It’s time for children to learn from the different kinds of things from the nature.

About Myself

My name is Ritu Kumari Sah, and I own and provide “APlace2Grow” Daycare. I have rich experience of working in preschool environment.

After graduating from college in India, I married my wonderful and incredibly supportive husband in 1997. In 2000, we welcomed our oldest son, who is going to start medical school this summer. In 2005, we were again blessed to have our youngest son, a senior in high school. Life as a mom of two boys has been full of Legos and Hot Wheels, muddy shoes and superheroes, wrestling and hugs, bugs and rocks, but nothing short of a blessing! We also have a fur baby, Luna, a lovable and gentle two-year-old Labrador.

Family is very important to me, and I understand that leaving your child in the care of others can be a tough decision. I promise to nurture and care for your child while helping them feel comfortable and welcome in my home-based environment. I aim for your children to feel at home in my home, and I look forward to learning about them!

In my spare time, I always try to have to do something on my farm. I hope to have some farm animals in the future, just like my parents and grandparents did when I was young. A few of my favorite things are admiring chirping robins in my cottage garden and hummingbirds at my bird feeders, watching deer and other animals wander onto my farm, and anything nature-related! If I were to pick up a new hobby this instant, it would be woodworking – I would love to make things for the kids in my daycare and maybe even my grandkids one day.

I am very proud of myself for accomplishing everything I have, but then again, I could not have accomplished any of my dreams without my supportive family and friends.