Meet The Team

Dee Hayward (Owner & Teacher)

With over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, I have dedicated my career to developing and leading culturally responsive preschool programs that truly reflect the diverse communities they serve. My journey began in the United Kingdom, where I successfully ran a preschool for seven years before bringing my passion and expertise to the United States.

Over the past 11 years stateside, I have worn many hats in the field of early care and education—including Social Worker, Preschool Director, and Program Developer. These varied roles have given me a deep, holistic understanding of the needs of children, families, and educators. Most recently, before founding Every Step Preschool, I served as the Program Director for a non-profit organization focused on advancing high-quality early learning initiatives.

Every step of my journey has been driven by a commitment to equity, inclusion, and the belief that all children deserve a strong, supportive start.

My Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Education (Early Childhood: Inclusive Education)

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work (Child and Family Studies)

• Associate's degree in Early Education and Family Studies

• Certified Oregon Registry Master Trainer

• Diploma in Home-Based Child Care (From England)

Completed State Training Requirements:

• CBR (Central Background Registry) - Department of Early Learning and Care

• First Aid/CPR

• Food Handler

• Introduction Child Care Health & Safety

• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

• Foundation for Learning

I’ve been working with children for over six years, dedicating myself to creating a nature and play-based classroom environment that celebrates and supports each child’s unique interests and needs. I earned my BA in Cultural Anthropology, with a special focus on the roles of women as mothers and caretakers cross culturally, which has deeply influenced my approach to teaching and connecting with children.

I grew up in Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, and Guam), which has instilled in me a deep respect for diverse perspectives. For the past 12 years, I’ve called Portland home. Outside of my professional life, I have a deep love for the outdoors, and this passion directly informs how I engage with children and design learning experiences.

I believe in nurturing and protecting the natural curiosity and wonder children bring to the world. I see every child as a valuable member of our community, and together, we can create an environment where their voices are heard, and their daily exploration is celebrated.

My Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Anthropology 

• 5 Years as a Lead Teacher in Certified Child Care Centers

• 25 Hours of Yearly Training (with a focus on Special Education, Classroom Management, and Creating Nature Based Curriculum)

Completed State Requirements: 

• CBR - Department of Early Learning and Care 

• Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED

• Food Handlers 

• Introduction Child Care Health and Safety 

• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect 

• Foundation for Learning