A young child with curly hair wearing a Mickey Mouse patterned jacket, looking at a small container with holiday decorations inside at a table.

Clark County Child Development Center

Where Belonging Begins In Early Learning

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Clark County Early Childhood Education

A Place to Play, Explore, and Grow

A progressive child development center in Clark County, nestled in a nature-rich environment. A place where children learn by doing, discover at their own pace, and thrive in a connected community.

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Early Learning That Honors Every Child

At Country Friends, we believe young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships. Our approach combines the warmth of a close-knit community with intentional, developmentally appropriate experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.

Young boy with curly hair holding a yellow toy shovel and a wooden crate outdoors.

Independent Clark County Child Care

Hands-On, Hearts-In Learning

Children at Country Friends spend their days moving between learning centers, digging in the garden, splashing at the water table, and exploring the natural world around them. Our spaces are designed for sensory-rich discovery, and our outdoor spaces invite climbing, building, and imaginative play.

Every day includes time outside, rain or shine, because we know that fresh air, movement, and nature are essential to early childhood.

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  • A classroom with children seated on a carpet, participating in a teaching activity with a teacher. The classroom contains educational decorations, shelves with supplies, and colorful posters on the walls.

  • Empty classroom with child-sized tables and chairs, wall art including a painted tree and autumn pumpkin, and shelves with storage bins and educational posters.

  • Four children playing and laughing outdoors in fall, with fallen leaves on the ground and trees in the background.

  • Smiling boy and girl playing outdoors in a backyard with trees and a playhouse in the background.

  • Classroom with tables, chairs, and educational materials, decorated for children with colorful art on the wall.

  • Two young children playing and running on a leaf-covered playground in autumn, near a blue house with a window, with a woman watching in the background.

Private School in Clark County

A Pathway That Grows With Your Child

Country Friends is part of Gardner School, offering early learning for children from 18 months- through Pre-K. Some families choose to continue to Gardner's main campus for elementary school, creating a seamless educational journey from first steps to sixth grade.

Both campuses share a commitment to play-based, child-centered learning, so wherever your family's path leads, the philosophy remains the same.

See Our Learning Experience
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Teachers Who Support Every Child

Our educators bring warmth, patience, and expertise to every interaction. At Country Friends, teachers stay with their classrooms long-term, building the deep connections that help children feel safe, confident, and ready to explore.

Meet the Staff

Ready To Join Our Community?

infancy through Pre-K | with full-day and part-day options | enrollment open

A classroom with young children and a teacher engaging in an activity with dance and movement. The room is decorated with children's artwork, a small Christmas tree, and educational materials.

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FAQs

  • Country Friends is a progressive early learning center, not a traditional daycare, now that it’s part of Gardner School of Arts and Sciences. Our curriculum is play-based and intentionally designed to support the whole child, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

  • We serve children from infancy through Pre-K (approximately 18 months to 5 years old).

  • No. Country Friends is an independent, private early learning center. We are not affiliated with Clark County School District, but we are partner campus to Gardner School of Arts and Sciences.

  • Play is how young children make sense of the world. Through play, children develop language, problem-solving skills, social awareness, and self-regulation. Our educators facilitate meaningful play experiences that build a strong foundation for future learning.

  • Each day includes a balance of free play, guided activities, outdoor time, meals, and rest. Routines are predictable but flexible, honoring the natural rhythms of young children.

  • Yes. We provide nutritious snacks and meals throughout the day. Please contact us for specific information about dietary accommodations.

  • Country Friends maintains secure entry, low child-to-teacher ratios, and staff trained in CPR and first aid. We follow all state licensing requirements and prioritize the physical and emotional safety of every child.

Come See Us In Hockinson

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