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Happy Tuesday! 

“August slipped away like a bottle of wine” from Taylor Swift’s song “august” is how I feel about the month: it seems to stretch on so long, yet is going by faster than expected. 

You know what else sneaks up on you? Realizing you need to enroll your kiddo into preschool or childcare. (Was that a bad transition? I don’t have kids so I can’t really tell.) 

This week I’ve compiled a list of preschool and daytime childcare facilities around the city if you need it. I personally can’t wait until I have kiddos of my own. In time, I suppose. I also am still accepting questions for me to answer about all things food, drink and life in Salem for a future newsletter, and you can send those to me at [email protected]

Until next week~

Em Chan

Car looking like it survived a dust storm—and Labor Day weekend plans include actually being seen in public? Another quick rinse at home isn't going to cut it. (We've all tried the garden hose approach…)

Enter Salem Suds at 4955 Commercial Street, your friendly neighborhood car wash that gets it. Labor Day weekend means road trips, barbecues, and showing up looking like you've got your life together.

  • Pay for a Silver package, get automatically upgraded to the Gold wash—FREE

  • Professional cleaning that makes your ride look like it just rolled off the lot

  • Perfect timing before all those end-of-summer gatherings where first impressions matter

The bottom line: While everyone else is scrambling with last-minute prep, you'll be cruising clean into the long weekend.

Look sharp. Drive confident. Start Labor Day weekend right.

Salem Suds | 4955 Commercial St. | Your friendly neighborhood car wash

Preschools with openings

These preschools around Salem have openings for fall 2025. Preschool is meant for kiddos ages three and four. Some of these schools also offer kindergarten and programs for under three. We’ve added any special program details, but kept it simple - it’s hard to capture the spirit of these places, so in the end, you’ll have to visit these places to truly see what they’re about. 

A Little Dreamer’s Child Care Center: The care center offers programs by age, with toddlers, 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and pre-k. The care center has two locations, in Lancaster and Parkway (Keizer). The Lancaster offers preschool separated by age (3 and 4), while Keizer’s has them combined.

Buttercup Hill Preschool and Kindergarten: Preschool is separated by grade (3s and 4s) plus transitional kindergarten and traditional kindergarten is at the school. 3 year olds’ preschool is Tuesday and Thursday mornings, while 4 year olds’ is Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. 4515 SE Sunnyside Rd. SE.

Early Start Preschool & Childcare Center: Early Start offers preschool, separated by age, plus a toddler and infant classroom. It is one of the only programs that offers its services in dual language, English and Spanish. They also offer the Preschool Promise Program. 1595 Cottage St. NE.

Faces of America: The international non-profit organization offers programs from preschool to adult education. The preschool program is fully dual language, Spanish and English. There are a few grants and scholarships available including the Preschool Promise, Equity Fund and more. 395 Market St. NE.

Kuebler Early Learning Center: The learning center offers classrooms for infants (6 weeks to 18 months), toddlers (18 months to two and a half ears), early preschool (two and a half year to three and a half years), preschool (must be fully potty trained), pre-k (before kindergarten and fully potty trained) and school age (kindergarten to fifth grade). The early preschool focuses on potty training as well as social skills and academic concepts. There are three different preschool classes for different needs. 5045 Sunnyside Road SE. Call at 2

Little Me Academy: Offers preschool and programming for those three and under, proactive learning (ages 2 to 3) and proactive littles (ages 1 to 2). Located underneath the Korean Church of Salem, it has conference rooms, open floor plan, full kitchen and outdoor fenced playground with a full play structure. 219 19th St. SE, Unit B.

Ridge Child Development Center: The sister organization to Kuebler Early Learning Center, it offers similar programming for the toddler/infant to pre-k age students, including preschool. 2990 Boone Road SE.

Salem Montessori School: The Montessori School does not offer a distinct preschool program, but merges those of preschool age and kindergarten age together. The program is screen-free and encourages play-based learning. 

Priceless Treasures: Offers not just preschool but infant/toddler program (6 weeks to 24 months), Twos (2-3 years old), and pre-k (4-5 years). The center also has a free preschool program for eligible families. Center has two locations, in Salem Heights and Skyline. 

Preschools affiliated with churches 

enCourage Preschools: This Christian early childhood program is affiliated with the Peoples Church. The preschool welcomes the Employment Related Day Care program. 4500 Lancaster Dr. NE.

Redeemer Lutheran Preschool: Preschool with Christian curriculum for three and four year olds, Monday to Friday but are mornings only. 4663 Lancaster Dr. NE.

Riviera Christian School and Childcare: The Christian organization offers daycare and a preschool recorded program (half-day program) and full-time preschool. Both programs are separated by age, 3 or 4 year olds. The half-day program has students attend either three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or two days (Tuesday and Thursday). The full-time preschool is a pathway to the school’s K-12 education. 1650 Brush College Rd NW. 

St. John School for Early Learners: This Christian school offers preschool, pre-k, kindergarten and childcare. Preschool classes are in the morning, with part-time and full-time childcare available. 1350 Court St. NE. 

Have an idea you’d like to see us cover in a future Tuesday send?

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