Creative Minds Learning Centers were founded in 1997 by Ken and Jacqueline McKinster due to the overwhelming need for quality child care programs.

The McKinster's searched for child care options at the time their son, KJ was born. Jacqueline began taking classes for ECE and received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Art Studies.

They called the schools "Creative Minds" which reflects their vision of being open minded to creative input from children, teachers and families. The belief still stands at CMLC that everyone has something special to offer our schools, programs and community of children we serve.

Creative Minds Learning Centers were created, meeting the needs of families searching for quality child care programs in smaller, secure environments and uniquely designed spaces. They raised the bar by offering excellent student to teacher ratios and healthy meals in a structured and educational setting.

The McKinster's opened their first school, the Gateway school in 2000. This school was a preschool in the community for over thirty years and needed major remodeling. The McKinsters actually lived in the school for a short time, giving up everything they owned for this dream with their son KJ.

In October of 2005, they remodeled and opened the Woodstock school which was originally built in 1968 as a Nursery school.

In November 2008, the Broadway school was built and created with a vision of a natural environment with classrooms named after trees native to Oregon. Tree branches, facades and a natural garden are all elements featured in this and all of our schools.

January 4, 2010, the Westmoreland school was opened and this school showcases beautifully designed classrooms with murals for Infants - Pre Kindergarten children, a community room to borrow books from our lending library, an indoor gross motor area and a children's garden and outdoor enrichment area.

Jacqueline has successfully created CMLC's program and schedule to be a visionary and innovative approach to support families and staff as they journey with young children through the primary years of school and their educational experience. She develops and mirrors the values and goals of the overall program and it's relationship with families. She upholds the primary aim of the school, which is to give children, staff and families an artistic and creative experience in an educational and creative setting.

Creative Minds family and staff suffered a huge loss when KJ Mckinster passed away on April, 11 2008 at the age of 12 years old. He was involved in an accident while pursuing his passion of racing cars hoping one day to race F-1 cars. He was a straight A student and a high achiever. KJ will alway be CMLC's first student and the schools will continue to be a reflection of his wonderful spirit during his short time with us.

The Mckinster's are passionate about growing Creative Minds so children in other communities and neighborhoods can benefit from the extraordinary programs KJ loved so much. Creative Minds Learning Centers are dedicated in memory of KJ McKinster- 6/16/95- 4/11/2008

Call to Schedule Your Meet and Greet: (503) 252-0004 ext. 5
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