About Us
Your Child Is in Great Hands
Heather Anderson
Founder of Heritage
Twenty years ago, I was asked why I wanted to work in early childhood education. My answer then is the same as it is today: I believe this is where I can make the biggest impact.
I earned my associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Chemeketa Community College while pregnant with my son, leaving behind careers in banking, sales, and hospitality to become a preschool teacher. From there, I gained experience as an Early Head Start home visitor, an instructional specialist at Chemeketa’s lab school, and a preschool promise coordinator. I continued my education at Portland State University, earning both a bachelor's in Social Science and a master's in Early Childhood Education and Social Work. My journey took me to Peru to study early childhood programs and led me to work as a family coach, a master trainer for Trauma Informed Oregon, and a substitute teacher across 13 school districts.
In 2023, I received a start-up grant from Western Oregon University and later secured a business grant to bring my vision to life. That vision is Heritage, an early childhood program dedicated to strengthening Oregon’s early education system and workforce. I’m excited to see it come to life in 2025.
Philosophy
Heritage Child Development Center provides the opportunity for infants and young children to grow and learn through relationships in an encouraging and accessible environment that is reflective of the children it serves, with a focus on culture, human development, and community. The goal of Heritage is to promote growth in all domains of development with an emphasis on social and emotional development while laying the foundation for their future education and life experience.
A Sample of Our Daily Schedule
Center opens/arrivals/breakfast - 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Children have choices of activities - 8:00 AM
Ages divide into their classrooms - 8:30 AM
Children may engage themselves in activities/play - 9:00 AM
Clean-up/Morning Snack - 10:00 AM
Group Time - 10:45 AM
Outside - 11:15 AM
Hand washing/Lunch - 12:00 PM
Half day children depart - 12:30 PM
Toothbrushing/daily walk outside - 12:45 PM
Toileting & Storytime - 1:05 PM
Rest time - 1:35 PM
Snack/Quiet Play - 2:45 PM
Work time/choice - 3:30 PM
Clean-up - 5:00 PM
Group time/stories/music - 5:15 PM
Center closes - 6:00 PM
Health & Safety
At Heritage Child Development Center, the safety and well-being of every child is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a secure and healthy environment that fosters learning and growth. To achieve this, we adhere to the following principles
Facility Safety
-
Our facility is designed and maintained to meet or exceed all applicable safety regulations.
-
We conduct regular inspections of our indoor and outdoor play areas to identify and address potential hazards.
-
We ensure that all equipment and furniture are safe, age-appropriate, and well-maintained.
-
We prioritize ADA compliance in our facility and website to ensure accessibility for all.
Health and Hygiene
-
We maintain strict hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, sanitization of surfaces, and proper handling of food.
-
We have clear policies for managing illness and preventing the spread of infection.
-
We will maintain clear records of childrens immunizations, and allergy information.
Emergency Preparedness
-
We have comprehensive emergency plans in place, including procedures for fire safety, severe weather, and other potential emergencies.
-
We conduct regular drills to ensure that staff and children are prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations.
-
Staff will be trained in CPR and first aid.
Supervision and Security
-
We maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios to ensure close supervision of all children.
-
We have secure entry and exit procedures to prevent unauthorized access to the facility.
-
We will maintain clear records of who is authorized to pick up each child.
Staff Training
-
All staff members receive thorough training in health and safety procedures, including first aid, CPR, and emergency response.
-
We provide ongoing training to ensure that staff remain up-to-date on best practices in child safety.
Communication
-
We maintain open communication with parents regarding health and safety concerns.
-
We will provide clear and timely updates on any incidents or potential hazards.
We are committed to continuously improving our health and safety practices to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children at Heritage Child Development Center.