Be our Valentine! Join us for an Italian-themed 3 course dinner, fun and games, and a screening of Lady and the Tramp! 5–7pm, February 14th, 2012.
Dinner includes: French bread, salad, and spaghetti. Build-your-own ice cream sundaes for dessert!
Price: $30/child, $55/two siblings
People often ask where I came up with the idea of WeVillage. They ask, “How did you go from a Hollywood producer to owning WeVillage in the Pearl?” Before I had my son Luca, I was on the fast track in the film industry as a successful producer and was working with big-name celebrities making a name for myself. I thought this fast paced world was the life-style I wanted until I had my son. I then discovered what was truly important to me.
When I returned to work from maternity leave, I worried about Luca’s well-being and how he was being taken care of. I was uncomfortable with the old-school services, dated philosophies and lack of cleanliness that current daycare centers provided. And what good businesses today close at 5:00 p.m.? I needed the flexibility and availability that matched my busy and often unpredictable work schedule. One morning I was offered a fairly large film project by a director and needed to start work that very day. Luca was too young for preschool so I called all my friends and family without any luck. I was faced with a decision to take my son to a dirty unfit daycare center or lose my job. I chose my son and the producers not surprisingly passed up my services.
This was the moment that I was inspired to create something for mothers who felt like me. I wanted the quality of full-time preschools with the flexibility of drop-and-go childcare. I needed a place where I could drop my son off day or night, for as long (or short) as I wanted, without sacrificing quality.
Receiving the opportunity to move to Portland, Oregon, I realized this could be the perfect chance to start my business idea–WeVillage. I knew the Pearl would be the perfect location from the very moment I first visited the neighborhood. Children playing in the fountain at Jamison Square Park, urban families enjoying a food scene that rivals any big city and great amenities for both children and parents were what sold me on this part of Portland. Future WeVillage locations will follow this model of being located in thriving neighborhoods.
I built WeVillage on the promise of quality childcare for today’s urban parent. I wanted to focus on the joy of children socializing and the wonders of new friendships. I love introducing kids to new forms of education like yoga, healthy food and different cultures from around the world. I stress the importance of parents taking much needed ME time. WeVillage has become a trusted place where parents feel at ease dropping their kids off — day or night, two hours or all day.
Parents today are different from their baby boomer parents. We have different work schedules, seek healthy food for our children (when we can), love the occasional coffee break with friends, practice yoga and have an all new set of challenges. Kids are busier than ever and parents struggle to keep up. My answer to creating value in this new paradigm was WeVillage, a forward thinking playcare facility for today’s modern family.
- Karen Benanati
Dinner With a Princess is so popular, we’ll be closing from 5–7pm this Friday (1/27/2012) in order to offer more spots. If you were worried you wouldn’t be able to make it, don’t despair: make your reservation now!
(Update: Dinner with a Princess is full! Keep your eye out for our next ‘Dinner with a…’ event)
Dress up like a princess and join us for dinner! Jan 27th 5pm–7pm, featuring Princess Jasmine. Princes are welcome, please come dressed in your favorite costume. Dinner will be served and there will be a souvenir craft project.
WeVillage Preschool has a spot opening in February! We take children 3 and up, potty training not required! We spend our days teaching your kids by doing: going on walks, playing games, drawing pictures and singing songs. We integrate adult-directed and child-centered learning throughout the preschool day to give children both the opportunity to explore and experiment on their own and to learn to attend to adult-directed activities that will help prepare them for the expectations of elementary school. The best part? After preschool hours are over, your little ones can stay at WeVillage until you’re ready to pick them up. That’s right: we work with YOUR schedule. (Hourly rates apply.)
The spot won’t stay empty long, call now if you’re interested!
We’re celebrating the weeknight this month! For only $25 per child, you get child care from 6–9:30pm any weeknight in January. That’s right… 3.5 hours of care for $25. Stop taking weeknights for granted and take some time for yourself! Please note the price is per child. Not available with any other offer. Available by the block only, there is no discount for early pick-up. Offer not available Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Please won’t you take our end-of-the-year survey? We’ll be eternally greatful! Simply click here and check some boxes! We’d also love it if you filled some boxes with words, but it isn’t necessary and the only personal info we collect is your zip code. Be a part of making our business work better for YOU.
Dress up like a princess and join us for dinner! Dinner With a Princess will be Jan 27th, featuring Princess Jasmine. Knights and princes are welcome as well as princesses, please come dressed in your favorite costume. Dinner will be served and there will be a souvenir craft project to take home. A picture will be taken so your little prince or princess can remember the night forever! Dinner is 5pm-7pm and the cost is $30.00. Space is limited! Click here to reserve your spot.
Accepting used toys! Drop off your gently loved toys during our regular business hours through January 15th and get a $5 voucher to use for your child’s next visit. We’ll keep some and donate the rest.
Recommend our facebook page (here) to a friend and have them “like” us. Write on our wall with both your names and you both get entered in a drawing for a free starter package (12 hours of childcare!)! The lucky winner will be chosen at the end of January.
Cavalia is staying through December! We’ve extended our deal through the month as well: show us your tickets for the Friday or Saturday night show and you’ll get 3 hours of childcare for just $25/kid!