Our Beginning, a new Fremont daycare center, is taking its cues from what its founder sees as the ethos of the surrounding neighborhood – alternative, eclectic and environmentally aware.

Our Beginning, which opened its doors at 123 N.W. 36th St. Jan. 4 to children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, serves all organic food in its cafeteria, uses nontoxic paint on its walls and has only nontoxic toys.

Our Beginning follows the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, which is child-centered and based on principles of self-directed learning and respect for the child’s wishes.

Paula Jones, founder and owner, said her mother owned a daycare center for low-income children in Seattle, so she grew up in the business.

Jones initially worked as a state licenser for childcare centers and later as the executive director of a Headstart program, but opening her own daycare was always in the back of her mind.

“I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she said.

Jones said she could never have done it alone, and she had a great team of people helping her along the way, including her broker and her architect.

Jones said she is a lover of open spaces and lofts, and the daycare is designed to resemble an urban environment, with exposed piping along the ceiling.

Both the building and the toys are designed to put young children in touch with the environment at an age when they are at their most impressionable, she said.

The daycare is supported by PCC Natural Markets, and it is trying to incorporate all-local food into the menu.

So far, about 14 children are enrolled in the center, but Jones said she expects the 10-room daycare, which is licensed to serve 129 children, to fill to capacity.

Jones said feedback from parents has been very positive.

Julie Garrett, the center’s resident child development expert, is a staunch supporter of the Reggio Emilia approach.

The educational philosophy was developed in Italy 40 years ago and was later adopted in the United States.

Garrett was first introduced to the philosophy in San Diego, where she enrolled in a course taught in the format. She later started Seattle's Reggio Emilia roundtable, which brings together teachers, parents and interested community members for discussion.

Our Beginning sends home a note at the end of each day detailing the child’s experience, allowing parents to keep a close eye on their child’s development.

Jones said parents are very involved with the daycare, and there is a high level of parent-teacher interaction.

The daycare is an open environment, and parents can come in at any time to read to their children or eat breakfast with them.

Parents spend time telling teachers what their child’s current mood is and how they slept the night before so that daycare workers know what to expect.

Megan Bell, parent of a 5-month-old, commutes from West Seattle and said the center makes her a more conscious parent.

She said she is confident her child is getting the best quality care available, and she likes that she has easy access to the director.

“The icing on the cake is that it’s organic,” said Bell.