Text reading 'Hope Harbor Children's Center at The Soup' with a line drawing of a girl and boy on a boat holding hands.

Our Classes

A young child with blonde hair and wearing a yellow striped shirt crawling on a wooden deck outdoors, with toys and a blurred background of trees and a house.

Infant Room birth - 11 months old

Our Infant Classroom is currently reserved for the children of our educators as we thoughtfully establish and grow this new program. We anticipate opening enrollment to the community in the coming months.

If you would like to join our waitlist and be among the first families offered a slot when spaces become available, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to us to reserve your place on the waitlist!

Young girl with blonde hair, wearing a pink shirt and floral skirt, playing with colorful test tubes on a lighted table, with a mirror reflecting her face and the building interior.

Toddler Classes 12-29 months old

In our toddler classroom, nurturing relationships are at the heart of our approach. Our teachers focus on fostering safe, secure attachments, allowing children to explore their world with confidence. We support each child’s developmental milestones through individualized care routines and rich opportunities for environmental exploration.

We offer a sensory-rich environment filled with captivating materials for hands-on exploration. Our classroom features engaging artistic and scientific experiences that spark curiosity and wonder. By fostering these early experiences, we support children in their journey of growth and discovery.

A young boy with blonde hair, wearing a striped rainbow-colored shirt, playing outdoors with toy vehicles in a dirt sandbox. Behind him, there is a wooden fence and a tree with lush green leaves.

Preschool Classes 2.5 - 4 years old

In our preschool classrooms, we embrace the inquisitive nature of this age group, fostering their natural curiosity and encouraging them to explore big questions and seek out their own answers. As children become more social, they delight in playing with peers, sharing stories, and engaging in games. These interactions help them build meaningful friendships and understand the essence of being a friend.

Three children examining and touching red algae in a classroom with labeled trays of different types of algae.

Pre-K Class 4-6 years old

Our Pre-K program prepares children for kindergarten by building on their natural curiosity, creativity, and growing independence. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we believe children learn best through meaningful experiences, thoughtful inquiry, and collaborative exploration.

Our classroom is filled with opportunities to investigate ideas, ask questions, create, and solve problems together. Literacy and mathematics are woven into children's everyday experiences through storytelling, dramatic play, journaling, project work, games, and hands-on investigations. As children document their thinking, revisit their ideas, and collaborate with peers, they develop the academic foundations needed for kindergarten while also strengthening critical thinking, communication, and confidence.

Looking for Elementary After-School Programs or ECEAP Preschool?

Two children, a boy and a girl, are playfully building with colorful magnetic tiles on the floor in a sunlit room.

We Work for

Working Families

Breakfast Club

Monday-Friday | 7:30am-9:00am

A before-school care option available Monday through Friday on a drop-in basis. No sign-up is required, just come when you need it! Kids will enjoy a breakfast-inspired snack and a gentle, relaxed start to their day. Hope Harbor is committed to working with working families in mind. We understand how challenging it can be to find safe, reliable, and enriching childcare that fits into your schedule. As locals, we’re here to support island life and make mornings a little easier for everyone.


Supper Club

Monday-Friday | 4:00pm-5:30pm

An after-school care option designed to support busy families! Available on a drop-in basis, children will enjoy a healthy, snack-style supper and unwind with relaxed, engaging activities in a safe, nurturing environment. No need to sign up in advance, just come when you need us. We know how unpredictable island life and work schedules can be, and we’re here to offer flexible, local support that works for your family.

Student &

Family Resources

Program

Calendar

School calendar with dates and events from September to August, including holidays and breaks such as winter, spring, summer, and Thanksgiving.

Tuition &

Investment

We’re proud to be a beacon of early learning excellence on San Juan Island, and the only program offering full-week, full-day, year-round childcare.

Tuition is billed monthly and is based on your child’s age and attendance schedule. Our Full Day Program runs from 9:00–4:00, with Half Day drop-off and pick-up at 12:30. Breakfast Club is available from 7:30–9:00, and Supper Club runs from 4:00–5:30.

Price chart for childcare sessions categorized by age groups and days of the week, showing costs for full day and half day options from Monday to Friday, including specific prices for Tuesday and Thursday full and half days.
  • "Our family absolutely loves Hope Harbor Children's Center in Friday Harbor, WA. The staff is warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about child development. From the moment you walk in, the environment feels inviting, intentional, and clean. What sets Hope Harbor apart is how thoughtfully the space is designed for children of all needs and energy levels. There's a calm, quiet area for rest and regulation, wonderful outdoor access for nature-based exploration and play, and a constantly evolving space dedicated to imaginative, play-based learning — exactly the kind of environment early childhood research supports. Hope Harbor Children's Center is a true gem for families in our community."

    -Collin, dad of two

  • “A mi hija le gusta mucho asistir a la escuela con ustedes ella se siente segura ahí con todas las maestras, todas las maestras que trabajan ahí son muy amables y profesionales e visto en mi hija mucho avance y aprendizaje, a ella le encanta estar en preescolar no quiere faltar ni un día, y la verdad mi hija aprendió mucho de ustedes gracias por la paciencia que le tienen a todos los niños con ustedes, mis respetos porque se que es muy difícil trabajar con los niños pequeños, y lo e visto en mi hija que es un preescolar de mucha enseñanza para los pequeños. Muchas gracias, Hope Harbor, por la oportunidad que le dieron a mi hija.”

    -Delia, mamá de tres hijos

  • “Our daughter asks to go to school on the weekends! She's made wonderful friendships, and comes home happy, and tired at the end of the day.”

    -Jenni, mom of two

  • “Hope Harbor stands out as an exceptional provider of early childhood education—offering not only academic excellence, but also a loving, inclusive environment where every child is seen, valued, and encouraged to thrive."

    -Margaret Barker & Ebie Mountford

  • “A huge thank you for everything; my son loves going to preschool, and the best part is knowing he is happy and safe there. Thank you so much, you do an excellent job as teachers.”

    -First-time mom of a 2.5-year-old

  • “Hope Harbor is more than a preschool. It is a vital part of our community that gives children the freedom to be fully themselves while feeling deeply safe, valued, and loved.”

    -Jessica, mom of two

  • “Estamos profundamente agradecidos con Hope Harbor Children’s Center, y especialmente con cada uno de los maestros y maestras. Nuestro hijo ha sido muy feliz allí; le encanta y disfruta de cada experiencia. Al principio fue un gran desafío para él, ya que no conocía ni entendía el idioma cuando comenzó, pero hoy estamos profundamente agradecidos por todo el progreso que ha logrado. Ver cómo se ilumina su rostro de felicidad cada vez que lo recogemos y escucharlo contarnos con entusiasmo sobre su día nos llenan de alegría y satisfacción. Sabemos que Emilio está en el mejor lugar, rodeado de personas que lo han apoyado, guiado y cuidado con cariño. Simplemente queremos agradecer a todos los maestros y maestras que han hecho esto posible. Sin duda, este es el mejor lugar para confiar a quienes más amamos.”

    —Ana y Benjamin, padres de tres hijos

  • “I highly recommend Hope Harbor! Not only do they ensure my son has a happy and peaceful day, but they also provide a safe environment. I am so pleased that the teachers are excellent and truly dedicated to their work. I am amazed by the progress my son has made, learning colors, numbers, and more. I love receiving all the little keepsakes, paintings, drawings, and the like, to take home; that is definitely the best part. My son loves every one of his teachers. He has picked up English very quickly, even though he is learning both English and Spanish. I appreciate how the teachers adapt to each child's individual needs and level of understanding.”

    -First-time mom

  • “One of the most meaningful things about Hope Harbor is watching my boys feel free to explore, play, and engage with the world around them without being told they were ‘too much.’”

    -Lisa, mom of two

Now Enrolling Children

12 months - 7 Years Old!

Display of decorated tree branches with colorful ribbons and tags, situated near a window showing part of a garden, with a blue poster attached to the wall titled 'Explorations at Hope Harbor' about children's creativity.

A New Chapter,

Built With Care

Questions? We Want to Hear From You.

We understand that a transition like this may bring questions, and we welcome them.

If you are a current or former Alphabet Soup family, a Hope Harbor family, a community member, an educator, or simply someone who wants to understand more about this project, please reach out.

We are happy to talk about the transition, our plans for the new location, licensing, programming, enrollment, or our vision for expanding childcare access on San Juan Island.

This project is for our community, and we believe our community deserves to understand it.

 

A Note of Gratitude

To the families who have trusted Alphabet Soup with their children: thank you.

To the educators who have cared for generations of San Juan Island children: thank you.

And to the community members who believe that every family deserves access to dependable, high-quality childcare: thank you for helping us build what comes next.

We are honored to carry this work forward.

 

Come Visit Our Harbor

Hope Harbor Children’s Center at the Soup

300 Marguerite Place South
Friday Harbor, WA, 98250

Hours
Monday–Friday
7:30am - 5:30pm

Email
questions@hopeharborchildrenscenter.com