Our hands are for work, our hands are for play, our hands are for helping others today!

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Our hands are for work, our hands are for play, our hands are for helping others today! ☆

A cozy children's playroom with a wooden loft bed, stairs, and a small play kitchen under the loft. Soft lighting, a rocking chair with a blanket, a round rug, and various toys and decorations are visible.

About Hummingbird House

At Hummingbird House, children reap the benefits of real-life learning through creative play, meaningful work, and deep relationships.

Each thoughtfully planned activity transforms a child’s sensory experience into a living understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through quality creative and practical work, children strengthen fine and gross motor skills, develop executive function, learn to socialize, and cultivate the concentration needed for future academic and social success.

Rooted in Waldorf early childhood pedagogy, we nurture children as they grow in independence and self-confidence. Their senses are engaged daily through the gentle guidance of our daily and weekly rhythm.

Knowing that it truly takes a village, Hummingbird House is a home not only for children, but also for parents to find community, friendship, and support in the joyful work of raising a child. Together, we honor the seasons with festivals, potlucks, and sharing circles that celebrate both the children’s growth and the life of our community.

A woman with short curly hair smiling at the camera, wearing a multicolored scarf and a gray sweater, in front of a plain wall.

About Ms. Cecelia

Founder, Director, Lead Teacher

“May my soul bloom in love for all existence.” R. Steiner

Cecelia McClellan has dedicated over 25 years to Waldorf education and the care of the young child. She believes there is no greater work than supporting children and their families, and she finds joy and renewal in nurturing the unfolding of each child’s development.

Her Waldorf journey began at the Eugene Waldorf School in 1999, where she also completed her formal Waldorf teacher training. Since then, she has taught in several Portland-area Waldorf schools, served as School Director at two schools in Oregon, and guided generations of children—her very first class are now adults with children of their own.

Cecelia is excited to bring her lifelong dream to fruition by creating and nurturing a Waldorf community in Central Oregon. Alongside her local work, she continues to serve the wider Waldorf movement as a mentor to teachers, a WECAN site visitor, an AWSNA site visit team member, and as a consultant supporting schools with educational guidance. Her most recent studies include a three-year master intensive in Therapeutic Movement training, Nurturing the Roots, as well as ongoing DEIJ workshops that deepen her commitment to fostering a culture of belonging.

Outside of her professional life, Cecelia treasures time with her husband, their son and daughter, and her extended family.

From a Dream to Reality

I have always known, even when I was a young child, that I was going to have a school of my own. As an experienced Waldorf teacher and former school director, I knew that it was going to take time, energy, wisdom, finances, patience and a lot of love to bring this vision and dream into a reality and I am so grateful that this dream has come true.

As an educator in Central Oregon, I am aware of the constant struggle that parents are facing each day in finding a special place for their young children, and it is our mission to meet this need. I love knowing that everything that happens at Hummingbird House will always have my focus, attention and approval. While the children are at the center of why our school exists, we will also strive to build community among parents. We hope to be a space of respite for your family in our ever changing and fast paced society.

Children playing with toys in a cozy classroom with wooden shelves, a colorful braided rug, and a large window letting in natural light.
Nativity scene with wooden figures, a felt backdrop, star-shaped decorations, and a lighted mountain or tree in the background.
A young girl with curly hair wearing a colorful ruffled dress and pink sandals watering plants in a garden.
Advent wreath with candles and decorative stars on a wooden floor.

FAQ

  • Children can join Hummingbird House at 3 years of age (potty independent) to First Grade ready.

  • Depending on the constellation of our class we will have on average 8-10 students per day and about 12 children in the classroom rostered for the school year .

  • Our classroom experience is at its best when we have a mixed aged group.  Children have the opportunity to be the younger and the older child in a safe, loving environment. Each aspect of the classroom is thoughtfully crafted to meet their own age developmental milestones.

  • No. Children must be enrolled in Hummingbird House morning program and then have the option to add on Happy Hearts afternoons. Happy Hearts is for ages 4-6.

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“To educate the whole child, their heart and will must be reached as well as their mind.”

— R. Steiner