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