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Our Journey in Child Care smiley

Cottesmore Child Care was founded in 1993 with a mission to provide high-quality early childhood education to families in Gig Harbor, Tacoma, and the surrounding areas. Since its inception, the center has grown into a trusted resource for local families, offering a range of programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-K children.

In 2024, we expanded our services with the Cottesmore Tacoma Child Care Center, located at Oakland High School, to become a central support hub for local teen parents. This unique partnership ensures that young parents can continue their education while receiving reliable, nurturing care for their children. By offering programs for children from 1 month to 5 years old, the Tacoma center helps parents focus on their studies while knowing their child is in good hands. Under the leadership of Clarisa Fellenz, who brings over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Cottesmore remains committed to serving the community and supporting families with the highest standards of care.

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Our Philosophy

At Cottesmore Child Care, we believe that children learn best through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. Our approach is rooted in creating a safe, loving, and supportive environment where children feel comfortable and confident to grow. We focus on the whole child, addressing their physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to meet each child's individual needs, helping them build self-help skills, social awareness, and a love for learning.

At our Tacoma location, we also prioritize care for teen parents attending Oakland High School. We understand the unique challenges faced by these young parents and are dedicated to providing the support and resources they need to graduate high school while raising their children. As Clarisa Fellenz states, “It's important that these young parents understand that even though life is now harder in this season, they can still juggle parenthood and graduate. They are not alone.”

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Meet Clarisa Fellenz

Clarisa Fellenz, the Director of Cottesmore Child Care, brings over 30 years of expertise in early childhood education. With an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and extensive experience managing childcare programs, Clarisa is deeply committed to creating an ideal environment for children to thrive. Her leadership at Cottesmore is marked by her passion for ensuring that each child receives the best possible start in life.

In addition to her work with infants, toddlers, and pre-K children, Clarisa is particularly dedicated to supporting young parents through the Teen Parent Support Program at our Tacoma location. Her personal commitment is to empower teen parents to continue their education and become role models for their children.

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Safe and Stimulating Learning Spaces

Our centers in Gig Harbor and Tacoma are designed to foster creativity, exploration, and learning in a safe and welcoming environment. Both locations feature spacious indoor and outdoor play areas, equipped with developmentally appropriate materials that encourage physical activity and cognitive growth.

At our Tacoma center, we serve the children of teen parents and Tacoma Public School District staff. The facility includes an infant room and a toddler room, with indoor and outdoor spaces that promote sensory development and physical play. Though the Tacoma location currently focuses on children from 4 weeks to 3 years old, we are dedicated to expanding and enhancing our space to meet the needs of the community.

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Prioritizing Safety and Health

At Cottesmore Child Care, the safety and health of your child are our top priorities. We adhere to all state licensing requirements and maintain rigorous health and safety protocols in our centers. Our staff undergoes extensive training, including first aid, CPR, safe sleep practices, and food handling. We follow strict sanitation procedures to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

Our Tacoma location has a QRIS rating of 2 and is licensed for 18 children, accepting state subsidies to provide accessible care for families. We strive to meet and exceed all government program standards while maintaining an environment that feels like home for your child.

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Contact Us Today to Explore Our Programs

Interested in learning more about Cottesmore Child Care? We invite you to contact us to discuss our programs or schedule a tour. We look forward to welcoming your family to our nurturing community!