About Phoenix House

Phoenix House is a private residence in the heart of San Diego’s Barrio Logan that has been transformed into a Reggio-inspired urban playschool and outdoor play space for your little one(s) to blossom in and through early childhood. Our program is designed to provide children with play and inquiry-based enrichment opportunities that foster growth, curiosity, and resilience in an organic, intentional environment staffed with loving and warm adults who provide every child with guidance, connection, and secure attachment.

A note from our Owner & Lead Teacher…

Welcome to Phoenix House! I'm Ellie Coburn, a born and raised San Diegan with a deep passion for nurturing the early childhood experiences of both my own children and those in our community.

With over a decade of experience as an award-winning children’s photographer, a credentialed substitute teacher, an infant nanny, a foster parent to 16 incredible children, and a postpartum doula — caring for children is one of the great joys of my life. These diverse experiences have provided me with more than 50,000 hours of hands-on experience working with children of all ages.

Academically, I hold Associate of Arts degrees in Psychology, Anthropology, and Political Science from San Diego Mesa College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biocultural Anthropology with a minor in History and a certificate in Medical Humanities from Oregon State University.

I am currently remotely pursuing my Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from American College of Education. Furthermore, I am a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and hold 475+ extension training hours on topics related to early childhood development, trauma-informed care, and early literacy. My diverse academic portfolio has shaped my understanding of the intricate interplay between biological and cultural factors affecting the human experience and ignited a passion in me to protect and advocate for the preservation of early childhood.

Phoenix House is a heart project born at the intersection of my lived, professional, and academic experiences. After years of experiencing firsthand the shortage of quality childcare programs available to families in San Diego and across the country, I felt a deep disheartenment. I have long since imagined a program that strives to nurture the biological rhythms of early childhood for children in their first months and years earthside. A program that integrates best practice across multiple pedagogies with the most current research in early childhood development. It is therefore one of the great honors of my life to set Phoenix House in motion and an enormous privilege to serve as the primary lead teacher for our program’s inaugural year.

I look forward to welcoming you and your child into our loving community. Together, I hope to create magical early childhood experiences that will lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and joy.

With Love,

Meet the Team

  • Danielle Durhum

    CO-TEACHER & URBAN GARDEN SPECIALIST

    Baby whisperer, natural nurturer, activities coordinator, and green thumb extraordinaire; Ms. Danielle is our community’s jack of all trades and a cornerstone of the Phoenix House family. With an impressive academic and professional background in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Science in Family and Human Development, Ms. Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Phoenix House family.

    Ms. Danielle is passionate about whole child education, positive discipline, and fostering an empathetic early learning environment.

  • Maddie Salle

    SUPPORT STAFF/STEAM COORDINATOR

    Puppet show master, organizer of chaos, and friend to all — whenever an extra set of hands is needed, Phoenix House is lucky enough to have Ms. Maddie. Ms. Maddie holds a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Mathematics and has over six years of professional experience providing direct care and support to San Diego’s most vulnerable families and children as a caseworker and care coordinator.

    Ms. Maddie is passionate about nurturing the individual needs of each child, providing recreational opportunities for developmental and socio-emotional growth, and implementing STEAM activities into our camp sessions.

  • Maddy Chiba Thorliefson

    CONSULTING DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIALIST

    Maddy is passionate about supporting child development with the best and most current data-driven practices, holistic early intervention, and working closely with families to understand each child’s individual needs.