Preschool & Child Care Center Serving Manhattan, IL

Best of Lincoln-Way Readers' Choice 2023

Best of Lincoln-Way Readers' Choice 2022

Best of Lincoln-Way Readers' Choice 2021

Proudly An ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle Of Quality Center

Your family deserves the best, and you find it at a center awarded the ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle of Quality! Designated not once, but 3 consecutive times! Trust in care and education recognized for a deep commitment to excellence.

An Extra Teacher In Every Room For Personalized Care

Every classroom has one more teacher than mandated, so your child gets the care and attention they need to thrive. An extra teacher is an extra pair of eyes and hands and an extra heart to love your little one.

“I lead with my heart and children in mind.”

~ Donna Naleway

Founder & Owner

An Expert Quality Coach Ensures Top-Quality Care

Miss Meg, with a Master’s in Child and Family Law, Conscious Discipline knowledge, and three decades of experience with children and families, continues to implement practices that elevate the quality of your child’s daily learning.

Previously working as a child advocate within the Kankakee Child Advocacy Center and working in roles within DCFS, Miss Meg brings her expertise as she works closely with teachers and children in each class, interacting, observing, strategizing, and coaching so teachers deliver the greatest impact and positive start to your child’s learning journey.

Over An Acre Of Fun, Daily Explorations

A playground so big, everyone can go outdoors together and still have room to run! Safely fenced yards encompass an entire acre of climbers and slides, gardens, and green lawns just waiting for your child to enjoy.

Our Core Values Guide Us In All We Do

teaching is a work of heart

Together we empower

Committed to passion, perseverance and excellence

Strength thru compassion and teamwork

Joy and laughter in all experiences

Your Child Leaves Ready For Kindergarten & Beyond

Play-based academics, practical school skills like listening and tidying up, and learning social-emotional skills to be a good friend and confident self-advocate all come together to help your little one be completely prepared for kindergarten.

A Focus On Social-Emotional Growth Builds Self-Esteem

Teachers help your little one identify their emotions, put them into words, and advocate for their own needs. Your child builds a foundation of lifelong confidence and learns to resolve conflicts and speak up for him/herself.

Communication App Keeps You In The Everyday Loop

You never miss a moment of your child’s busy day with a handy parent communication app. Get photos, videos, activity updates, and classroom announcements at your fingertips, and always feel connected to your child.

Family Support Completes The Home-To-School Connection

Teachers partner with you to ensure that your child receives everything they need to support their success. Open communication, practicing continuity of care between home and school, and regular evaluations help you and their teachers stay on the same page.

To further support family connections, you can expect:

Annual Ages & Stages Questionnaire so you and your child’s teachers can assess your child’s developmental and social-emotional milestones.
Parent-Teacher conferences twice a year, giving you and their teachers a chance to connect face-to-face in your child’s learning environment.
Assistance in finding services should assessments or observations present any gaps or delays that need to be addressed.

A Healthy, Peanut-Free Food Program Included In Tuition

Your child enjoys morning and afternoon snacks, plus a delicious lunch every day, included in tuition to save you time and money. An onsite cook prepares food in a nut-free space with allergies and dietary needs in mind.

A Fresh Remodel To Feel More Like Home

Luxury plank vinyl flooring, a Founders’ Wall, and a fresh paint job in soothing sage green throughout make everything feel more peaceful and homelike. Beautifully remodeled facilities offer the same care you love and expect with a calming modern update.

FAQs

What are your operating hours?

We are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., year-round.

What cleaning measures do you follow?

We have professional cleaners come in every day to ensure sparkling, germ-free spaces. Staff also sanitizes throughout the day, and we have air purifiers and electrostatic sprayers to eliminate any pesky microbes in the air or on hard-to-clean surfaces.

How do you keep children safe and secure?

All entrance doors require a coded fob for access, plus the yard is completely fenced. We also have internal-use security cameras throughout the center, and all staff members hold a current CPR certification.