About Us

Quick Facts

Established in 2000 by Teacher Jennifer
Located in the community building of St. David of Wales church
Regular school hours 9 AM to 3:30 PM. There is a morning preschool program and an afternoon preschool program. Child may be enrolled in one, or the other, but do not attend all day.
Hands On is recognized by the Oregon Environmental Council as an Eco-Healthy Child Care provider.
Partners with local children’s programs to offer a variety of classes for children. We are pleased to work with Northwest Children’s Theater, Soccer Shots, Portland Early Learning-Adventures in Spanish, & The Independent Dance Project.

Contact Info

2800 SE Harrison St, Portland, OR 97214

503-422-0153

contact@handsonartandplay.com

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Our Teachers

Jennifer

Hello, my name is Jennifer, she/her. I founded Hands On Art & Play in 2000 in my home when my youngest child, Teacher Quinn, was 2 years old. I was looking for flexible childcare for my own children but couldn’t find a place that didn’t require a 20- or 40-hour a week commitment. I decided to start my own school and combined my training in art and child development in a program that nurtures and encourages preschoolers. As Hands On grew, we moved into a new space outside my home and then into our space at St. David’s, where we have been for 20 plus years. Hands On has grown from a two-day a week program to a five-day program with morning and afternoon preschool, summer camps and enrichment classes. We typically have up to 60 enrolled families, 10 classroom teachers and four enrichment teachers, as well as many visiting artists, musicians, and guests.
I am proud of the community we have built, and I love the teachers, families and children at Hands On.
I have a BA in Art and Counseling from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Before starting Hands On, I worked as a preschool teacher and family advocate. I was the Children’s Program Coordinator for The Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, CARDV, in Corvallis. I love art and enjoy creating projects with students and in my own home studio. My children are 30 and 25,so my husband and I are empty nesters! We enjoy many outdoor adventuress, and feel lucky to live close to so many fun places. I also enjoy pickleball, running, walking my dog, painting and spending time with family and friends!

Erica

HHi! I am Erica. I am excited to be a part of Hands On, I’ve been a teacher here since the fall of 2021! Both of my children attended this wonderful school, and I am so glad to be a part of the team. I am a graduate of Washington State University where I was not only a student, but also a member of the swim team. Before Hands On I was working in Portland Public Schools with a focus on Special Education. I supported elementary school aged children in a Communications Behavior classroom. During COVID/online learning, I worked with children who needed reading and math support. I love watching kids grow, learn, and accomplish their goals.

Faith

Hi! My name is Faith, and I am really excited to be working with Hands On Art and Play! I have been a teacher here since January 2022. I have been working in child care since 2019, and easily my favorite part is getting to see kids grow and develop their interests and creativity. I have a degree in illustration from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, where I studied picture book illustration. I live with my two cats, Wormy and Broccoli, and I am always happy to share pictures of them. I am thrilled to get to know all of the kids and families, and I want to know what your favorite picture book is!

Corinne

Hi there, I’m Corinne! I believe that creative play is integral to a happy life so being able to facilitate that for kids who are just discovering each new medium is a dream come true. I have a BFA in Studio Art from Western Washington University and have spent the past two years working at arts-centered preschools where I lead weekly projects for the students. Their fresh approaches and willingness to experiment are incredibly inspiring for me. I can’t wait to share in the joy of creating with the community at Hand’s On Art & Play.

Rebecca E.

Hello! My name is Rebecca (she/her) and I’m very excited to be teaching at Hands On Art and Play! Beyond teaching, I’ve spent many years working in childcare through nannying, camp counseling, babysitting, and tutoring. Childcare is the most inspiring and heartwarming job to me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by the creativity and sweetness of the students at Hands On. When I’m not working, I am often in school myself working towards a B.S. in Social Work. Aside from this, I try to spend most of my free time outdoors, whether hiking, camping, or just visiting parks. I love any/all fiber arts, especially crocheting, and I love to read, write, and travel. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone in the Hands On community!

Quinn

Hello! My name is Quinn (she/her) and my experience at Hands On Art & Play has been full circle! I attended Hands On when it was in my childhood home and have been working here since 2014. I started working in the summers and now have been a year round teacher since 2020. I love working with young children and watching them discover their interests and grow in confidence and creativity. I am currently in school for graphic design at Portland State University and I am passionate about all things creative! My favorite way to connect with children is through art! When I’m not teaching or in school, you can find me doing ceramics, walking around my neighborhood, or spending time with friends & family!

Sandy

I am Teacher Sandy (she/her), and I have had the pleasure of playing with and learning from kids for over 30 years! My experience includes a variety of settings, such as a kindergarten classroom, a Head Start program, a school for children with special needs, and most recently serving as the Educational Director / Teacher at Hancock Street Co-op Preschool for 17 years. I have worked part-time at HOAP since fall of 2021, and I am thrilled to be part of the Hands-On community! I see our time together at preschool as an opportunity to foster connection, curiosity, and creativity.

I believe that children and adults are life-long learners, and I am currently fumbling my way through learning to knit and play guitar. I have 2 adult daughters who live in San Diego and Portland, and they both work with kids. I live in the neighborhood and love to be outside, so you might see me around working in my garden, riding my bike, or walking my goofy dog.

Rebecca D.

I am Rebecca and I’ve been working at Hands On Art & Play, since 2021. Over the last 10 years I have been working directly with kids and students and it has been an amazing experience. I have worked in a drop-in childcare for five years, volunteered in a kindergarten classroom in NE Portland for six years, and babysat in high school.

I am also diagnosed with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder. I connect with students on a personal level and I understand some of the challenges and struggles students might go through. I understand because I was that student in school that needed extra support and help. I care about kids and I love their personalities.

In addition to working with kids, I like traveling, nature and being with all kinds of animals, especially dogs.

Mallory

My name is Mallory (they/them) and this will be my third year working with Hands On Art and Play! I have been working with kids for 10+ years now as a nanny, camp counselor and mentor in after school programs. I love to connect with kids through art, food, curiosity, and silliness. I grew up in SE Portland and am excited to be working there again. I graduated in 2020 from Western Washington University where I studied critical pedagogy with a focus on the role of art making in learning and development. In my free time I enjoy biking around town, knitting and sewing, cooking, and sharing food with my family and friends, and attempting to pet every dog I meet!

Ella

Hello all! I’m Ella (they/them) and I am thrilled to be joining the teachers at Hands On Art & Play for my second year! I have lived in SE Portland for my whole life, and am happy to be working with families in my own neighborhood. I have worked with children for 10+ years as a babysitter, tutor, and teacher, including for the last 2 and a half as a full-time Primary Assistant teacher at a local Montessori school in a class of 3-6 year olds. This Fall, I am returning to PSU to continue my undergraduate studies, so I am delighted to begin working part-time at Hands On and simultaneously work toward my Liberal Studies degree. With kids and in my own time I love to explore art, music, dance, science, books, writing (poems especially), and finding the strange and silly in everyday life! Witnessing children discover the world around them is special beyond words and I can’t wait to continue to play a part in that process at Hands On Art & Play.