Our Village.
upcoming events
at a glance
Our Partnerships.
It truly takes a village to raise a child, and at Hope Harbor, we are intentionally and continually building ours.
Our village is made up of families, educators, community members, local and state programs, and the children themselves. It is shaped by shared experiences, open communication, and a collective commitment to showing up for one another. Within this space, children experience what it means to be held by a community, and families find connection, support, and a genuine sense of belonging.
We believe that supporting children means supporting the systems around them. That’s why we actively partner with local and state programs to help make San Juan Island a place where children and families can truly thrive.
We connect families to essential services, including financial assistance, childcare support, and parenting resources. Through partnerships with community health providers such as the San Juan County Public Health Department, we help bring valuable services, such as dental vans, vaccine clinics, and wellness programs, directly to our students.
At Hope Harbor, we believe that care extends beyond the classroom and into the daily lives of the children and families we serve. With this commitment in mind and our partnership and collaboration with 36 Weekends, we are proud to introduce The Children’s Pantry, a welcoming space where families can trade, donate, or take essential items such as food, clothing, diapers, and toys, free of charge.
Our collaboration with the San Juan Island School District Special Services Team ensures that children with diverse learning needs receive early intervention and the support they deserve.
We also partner with Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT), which provides critical early intervention services for children from birth to age three who may have developmental delays or disabilities. ESIT works alongside families to support children’s growth, participation in daily life, and long-term success.
A unique local partnership with the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories brings hands-on marine science experiences into our program. Through interactive touch tanks and lessons led by researchers and biologists, children build a connection to island life while being introduced to STEM learning in a meaningful way.
We are also proud to participate in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), Washington State’s free preschool program that supports kindergarten readiness through early learning, family support, and health and nutrition services. ECEAP centers equity and whole-child development, ensuring that children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed.
The Supporting Transitions and Educational Promise in Sound (STEPS) program helps children under age three transition smoothly from early intervention into preschool or other educational settings, working closely with families and service providers. For children over three, we encourage families to connect with Child Find, a free service that evaluates developmental, social-emotional, and cognitive growth and connects families with appropriate supports.
Families are further supported through Growing Families San Juan Islands, which offers resources including prenatal care connections, breastfeeding support, parenting education, and early childhood services to ensure a strong start for every child.
We also connect families with WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program, where trained peer counselors provide accessible, compassionate, parent-to-parent breastfeeding support—both during pregnancy and after birth.
To help make high-quality childcare accessible, we partner with Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), which offers state-funded assistance to eligible families, reducing financial barriers so children can learn and grow in a nurturing environment.
Finally, our work is guided by the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI), which supports the implementation of the Pyramid Model—an evidence-based framework that promotes social-emotional development and fosters inclusive, supportive environments for all children.
Our Vision
For Families
We use the term family to include parents, legal guardians, caregivers, sponsors, and anyone who supports a child’s well-being, best interests, and daily care. We honor that every family looks different, yet we are united by a shared hope: to nurture, support, and uplift the child we love.
At Hope Harbor, we believe every child deserves a place where they can grow, explore, and truly belong. As educators, we see ourselves as lifelong learners, continually deepening our understanding of early childhood development, brain science, and the many ways children thrive. We also recognize that families are a child’s first teacher. Together, we share the role of guiding, learning, and growing alongside our children.
Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that children are naturally curious and learn best through creative, play-based experiences. We value the process of learning over the final product, knowing that development flourishes when children are supported by caring adults within rich, engaging environments. This approach invites children to explore their interests, make choices, and build confidence.
We value authentic partnerships with families, grounded in communication, trust, and mutual respect. From the very first day, we work together to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child.