A childcare center that emphasizes a personal touch. Her journey in early childhood education began in Brazil at 15 as a nanny, and after moving to the U.S., she continued in this role for another decade. In 2015, she established Casa Feliz, intending to create a nurturing environment where every child feels understood and valued. In 2017, Maria enhanced her approach by participating in the RIE Foundations course in Los Angeles, which enriched her understanding of respectful childcare practices. She infuses her Brazilian heritage into the center’s culture through language, music, cuisine, and a sense of community, making cultural immersion a core part of the experience.
Laurel Johnson is a respected RIE® Associate with over 20 years of experience as an educator, caregiver, social worker, and parenting consultant. As the founder of Laurel Johnson Consulting, she supports families and professionals, focusing on respectful caregiving and thoughtfully designed environments.
At Casa Feliz, we’re honored to partner with Laurel through parenting classes, consultations, and staff training. Her calm, knowledgeable presence and deep respect for Magda Gerber’s philosophy continue to inspire our work with children and families. Lear more
Rafaella combines her unwavering commitment to respectful caregiving with a wealth of experience in supporting families. As Operations Manager, she offers a unique perspective drawn from her diverse background as a psychologist in Brazil, nanny, and teacher’s assistant. Her journey as a parent enriches her approach, allowing her to connect deeply with the families we serve. By focusing on their challenges and joys, Rafaella ensures that every interaction reflects our core values of empathy and support. Through her leadership and dedication, Rafaella is committed to creating a nurturing environment for both families and staff at Casa Feliz.
At Casa Feliz, we take pride in our highly trained team, which is dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment for your children. Our teachers meet all State of Oregon requirements, ensuring professional standards in childcare. We are committed to our core values of empathy, love for children, and respectful caregiving. To maintain these standards, we focus on ongoing professional development through specialized RIE-based classes and continuing education, ensuring our staff continually enhances their skills. Join us in creating a loving and supportive community for your child’s growth and development. Thank you for choosing Casa Feliz!
At Casa Feliz, we believe children thrive when surrounded by consistent, loving caregivers. That’s why we’re proud to share that since mid-2024, we’ve had no turnover, and several of our teachers have been with us for two to three years.
We focus on hiring people who are genuinely passionate about working with young children—people who see this not just as a job, but as a calling. Within the first month, it becomes clear whether someone is the right fit, and we support them closely through that transition.
To retain our team, we offer substantial benefits, ongoing training, and a supportive, family-like environment. Our approach is simple: when caregivers feel valued and inspired, they stay, and children benefit from the trusting relationships that grow over time.
At Casa Feliz, selecting the right individuals to care for children is one of the most crucial decisions we make, and we take it to heart.
We don’t just look at resumes. Our hiring process begins with a deep feeling of how someone makes us feel during a conversation. We pay close attention to their empathy, energy, and presence. Do they have a natural warmth? Do they genuinely care about others, not just children, but humans in general?
Each candidate goes through two interviews. Often, during the first one, we already know if it’s not the right fit. We also verify references, conduct background checks, and inquire about their experience. However, what matters most is their character, their passion for caregiving, and how they work as part of a team.
After many years of working with children and different teams, we’ve developed strong intuition and skill in recognizing when someone is meant to be part of Casa Feliz. When we find those people, we support them, and they stay.
At Casa Feliz, we exceed the state’s minimum staffing requirements. Each of our houses is staffed with more caregivers than the regulation requires—because we believe quality care depends on individual attention, respectful interactions, and well-supported staff.
Our child-to-teacher ratios are intentionally low, allowing caregivers to truly connect with each child, meet their individual needs, and avoid feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
We also hire extra staff to ensure our team can take breaks, attend training, and take time off when needed, without compromising the quality of care. Well-rested, well-trained, and deeply present caregivers are essential to what makes Casa Feliz feel like a second home for our children.
All teachers meet Oregon’s state requirements for childcare workers. In addition, they complete in-home training focused on our respectful, RIE-inspired philosophy. We also provide regular classes, workshops, and coaching to ensure they’re confident in supporting children’s development with care and respect.
Yes! Many of our teachers have university degrees in Early Childhood Education from Brazil or other countries. We also encourage and support them in continuing their education here in Oregon.
Absolutely. Beyond meeting state requirements, our staff regularly take extra classes and participate in workshops to keep learning new strategies and approaches for caring for young children.
Each of our houses has a designated provider. In Oregon, a provider is the licensed operator responsible for the home-based childcare program. They ensure safety, oversee daily operations, support staff, maintain compliance with state rules, and communicate closely with families.
Our providers typically have worked in the house for over a year and complete extra training and coursework to be qualified for this role. This experience helps them lead with confidence and consistency.