Smart Start Childcare & Learning Center

At Smart Start Childcare and Learning Center, our mission is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters the growth and development of the whole child - mind, body, and spirit. Our boutique childcare center is dedicated to delivering exceptional care and education to children from 6 weeks to Pre-Kindergarten age in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Our Philosophy

We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Philosophy, which emphasizes intentional exploration and engagement using a wide range of materials and experiences. We believe that every child is unique and deserves personalized learning experiences that cater to their individual needs and interests. Our curriculum is tailored to support children's language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, and social-emotional well-being.

Safety and Health

We take the safety and well-being of our children very seriously. We have received the highest, 4-Star Parent Aware Rating, which means we exceed state licensing standards and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing quality improvement. Our staff are certified in pediatric CPR and first aid, and we conduct daily indoor and outdoor safety checks to ensure a safe and secure environment. We also have a registered nurse on-site and a health consultant who visits us monthly to provide education and guidance on health, safety, and illness prevention.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is underpinned by The Creative Curriculum, which is designed to create daily routines and meaningful experiences that respond to children's strengths, interests, and needs. We also utilize principles of Emergent Curriculum and Reggio Emilia, which emphasizes child-led learning and exploration. Our curriculum is fully aligned with the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework and state early learning standards. We take advantage of our daily routine to immerse our curriculum into all activities, ensuring that our children are. Kindergarten and school-ready.

Our Activities

Our activities are designed to promote the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of our children. We offer a wide range of activities centered around health and wellness, including art, music, movement, cooking, and outdoors play. We believe that every activity should be fun, engaging, and challenging, and we strive to provide a variety of options to cater to our children's diverse interests and needs.

About Us

Our owner, Gina Anderson, is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota. She has extensive experience in the healthcare industry and has a deep understanding of the importance of health and wellness. Gina is passionate about providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the growth and development of the whole child. She lives in Stillwater with her husband and two daughters and is committed to creating a unique childcare center that focuses on quality through safety, education, and health and wellness.

Get in Touch

If you would like to learn more about Smart Start Childcare and Learning Center, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted to welcome you to our center and showcase our exceptional childcare services.