Casa Feliz Childcare Portland, bilingual daycare Portland

15 to 30 Months

Casa Mico-Leão Dourado offers a nurturing environment for toddlers aged 15 months to 30 months, blending Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori philosophies to promote independence, exploration, and emotional security through play-based learning and cultural immersion.

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Curriculum

Safe and
Nurturing
Environment

Predictable Rhythms:

Consistent daily routines provide security and help children understand transitions.

Natural Materials:

A home-like setting featuring soft lighting, wooden toys, open-ended wooden toys, and open-ended play objects.

Play-Based
Learning
& Sensory
Exploration

Heuristic Play:

Open-ended materials encourage creativity and problem-solving.

Sensory Activities:

Engagement with water, sand, clay, and natural textures. Stimulates the senses and develops coordination.

Outdoor Exploration:

Daily nature walks and interaction with the natural world.

Music & Movement:

Incorporation of Brazilian rhythms, gentle dance, and simple instruments to promote coordination and cultural immersion.

Social-Emotional
Development
& Respectful
Relationships

Respectful Communication:

Caregivers model positive interactions and explain actions gently.

Guided Independence:

Children are encouraged to participate in dressing, eating, and self-care independently.

Conflict Resolution:

Toddlers learn early social skills, such as turn-taking and expressing needs.

Cultural Community:

Songs, lullabies, and stories from Brazilian and Latin American traditions foster a sense of belonging.

Language &
Cognitive
Development

Storytelling & Read-Alouds:

Books in multiple languages and interactive storytelling sessions.

Singing & Repetition:

Nursery rhymes and call-and-response songs reinforce language patterns.

Sign Language:

Supporting early communication before verbal language develops.

Documentation:

Caregivers document children’s learning through photos and notes.

Motor
Development
& Practical
Life Skills

Gross Motor Play:

Activities like climbing, crawling, and dancing to build strength and coordination.

Fine Motor Practice:

Exercises such as pouring, spooning, and threading to develop dexterity.

Self-Care Encouragement:

Allowing toddlers to try dressing, washing hands, and helping during mealtimes.

Outdoor Exploration:

Daily time outside to strengthen muscles and encourage body awareness.

(A flexible schedule that follows the child’s natural rhythms and cues rather than imposing rigid timelines.)

Morning Arrival & Settling In

  • Warm welcomes in Portuguese, encouraging connection.

  • Free play with open-ended toys (e.g., wooden blocks, scarves, baskets with natural objects).

  • Caregivers provide unhurried drop-off support.

7:30 AM
–
8:20 AM

7:30 AM
–
8:20 AM

Morning Arrival & Settling In

  • Warm welcomes in Portuguese, encouraging connection.

  • Free play with open-ended toys (e.g., wooden blocks, scarves, baskets with natural objects).

  • Caregivers provide unhurried drop-off support.

8:30 AM
–
9:00 AM

Breakfast & Snack

  • Toddlers sit together at a low table, practicing self-feeding.

  • Language-rich interactions: caregivers describe foods and encourage simple phrases (e.g., “Obrigado” and “Por favor”)..

9:10 AM
–
10:50 AM

Outdoor Exploration & Movement Play

  • Gross motor activities: climbing, balancing, running, and exploring textures.

  • Natural elements: water play, digging in sand/mud, gardening.

  • Sensory walks: observing plants, birds, and insects in the yard.

 

11:00 AM
–
11:45 AM

Lunch & Rest Preparation

  • Independence in mealtime: self-serving, pouring water.

  • Calm transitions to nap: dim lights, soothing music, one-on-one comfort.

12:00 PM
–
2:30 PM

Nap Time

  • Caregivers provide gentle reassurance and allow children to settle at their own pace.
  • Those waking early engage in quiet play.

2:45 PM
–
3:30 PM

Afternoon Wake-Up & Snack

  • Gradual wake-up, diaper changes.

  • Snack as a social moment.

3:40 PM
–
4:30 PM

Afternoon Play & Enrichment

  • Art & Sensory Activities.

  • Finger painting with natural dyes.

  • Playdough exploration.

  • Water play (pouring, splashing).

  • Storytelling & Puppet Play.

4:40 PM
–
5:30 PM


We help children gather their shoes and backpacks and prepare for pick-up. If the weather is nice,
we spend this time outside to ease the transition and welcome families calmly and connectedly.

  • Capacity: 16 infants, 5 teachers.

  • Focus: Supporting natural gross motor, cognitive, and sensory development through observation and trust.

  • Respect for Development: Transitions occur based on individual readiness rather than a fixed age.

Between 15 and 18 months, when they demonstrate developmental readiness, children transition with their cohort to Casa Mico-Leão Dourado.

By 30 months, children transition to Casa Arara Azul, where they will remain until they turn five.

Location 

Toddler House

Monday – Friday 7:30am-5:00pm.

Why Mico-Leão Dourado?

Casa Mico-Leão Dourado is named in honor of the golden lion tamarin, an iconic and endangered species native to the lush Atlantic forests of Southeast Brazil, near São Paulo. Known for their striking reddish-orange fur and expressive faces, these tiny primates weigh less than 2 pounds but are unmistakably bold and full of life. With only about 5% of their original habitat remaining, the golden lion tamarins symbolize nature’s fragility and resilience. This name reflects our deep commitment to weaving Brazilian culture and environmental awareness into the children’s early experiences at Casa Feliz. Through storytelling, imagery, and daily interaction, we help children connect with the world around them, starting with Brazil’s vibrant wildlife and rich heritage. We welcome your curiosity and invite you to ask about the animals, the meanings behind each house name, or how we bring cultural richness to our program daily. Casa Mico-Leão Dourado is where wonder begins.

Our Casas

Infant daycare curriculum Portland childcare

Infant House
Children aged 3 to 15 months

Older Toddler House
Children aged 2,5 to 5 years old

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Casa Feliz Childcare – Bilingual Culture Immersion Child Care in Portland, Oregon

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