We are Portland State University's full-day infant/toddler, preschool and kindergarten program and laboratory, which serves 180 children aged six-months to six years. With a strong reputation in the Portland community for quality care and education, Helen Gordon Center maintains full enrollment and a continuous waitlist numbering over 300 families. The Center was accredited by the National Academy of Childhood Programs December 2000. Helen Gordon Center serves a dual role within the University: It serves the student and faculty/staff parents by providing a high-quality on-campus child care program and additionally, it serves as an academic laboratory resource, inviting participation by University faculty and students in the fields of early childhood education, child and family studies, psychology and related fields. The opportunities for collaboration with the academic departments on the Portland State University campus are rich and varied. The departments provide the program with a pool of eager, capable students who enhance our person-power and challenge our thinking with new ideas. The professionals in the various departments also serve to support our Center by sharing expertise and resources. This has been particularly fruitful in the Center's relationship with key faculty members in the Graduate School of Education.

As a laboratory preschool, it is our goal to provide a model program for the children and families we serve. Our teachers are professionals in early childhood education and have appropriate degrees and experience. They also train students to work with young children and serve as model teachers. In addition to the professional staff, each classroom has a number of PSU student employee assistant teachers helping to carry out the goals of the program. Many of the students are majoring in fields related to teaching young children such as Child and Family Studies, Education, Social Work, and Psychology. We have found that our student employees, with their various life and educational experiences, enrich and contribute to our program.
Peruse the following pages and get to know us better. If you wish further information about any of our programs, key contacts are listed on this page.

We hope you enjoy your visit