Prior Lake KinderCare

10/14/2026

💛 Growing Together for the Children in Our Care! 🌱

A huge THANK YOU to our families for supporting us as we took the time to invest in our teachers, grow as educators, and continue building an even stronger team for the children in our care yesterday! ❤️

Professional growth is such an important part of providing meaningful, intentional experiences for children, and we are so excited about everything we learned together! From focusing on process over product, to deepening our understanding of child-centered approaches, honoring each child’s unique interests and abilities, and creating opportunities for exploration, creativity, and discovery, we are continuing to grow in how we show up for our children every day. ✨

And today, we got to jump right in and put it all into practice! 🙌 It was so exciting to take what we’ve been learning, bring it together, and see how these ideas can come to life in our classrooms and experiences with the children.

We know that learning is a journey, and we are committed to growing, reflecting, collaborating, and finding new ways to make each day meaningful for the little learners who count on us. Because it’s not just about what we create, but how children explore, discover, problem-solve, and learn along the way! 🎨🧩🌿

Thank you for partnering with us, trusting us, and giving us the space to invest in becoming the best educators and team we can be. When families and teachers grow together, our children benefit the most! 🥰

Here’s to learning, growing, and creating something wonderful together! 💛

10/10/2026

🐾 Paws, play, and plenty of learning! 🐱🐦

Our preschoolers had a tail-wagging good time learning all about pets this week!

🐶 A few highlights from our week:

🛍️ Pretending to be pet store owners and shoppers in the Dramatic Play area Pet Stores.
✏️ Practicing our uppercase letter N
🐱 Creating cats with paint, glue, and of course some amazing imaginations.
🐦 Exploring birdseed in our sensory tables and discovering new textures

We love watching our preschoolers learn through hands-on experiences, creative play, and curious minds! What a purr-fect week of learning! 🐾💛

10/09/2026

✏️ Little Hands, BIG Learning! 💛

Did you know that when two-year-olds practice writing, they’re doing so much more than making marks on paper? 🖍️✨

At this age, scribbling, drawing lines, and experimenting with crayons are important steps in early learning!

🌟 Here’s why early writing practice matters: 🖐️ Builds fine motor skills – Strengthens the little muscles in their hands and fingers. 👀 Develops hand-eye coordination – Helps little ones learn to guide their hands with their eyes. 🧠 Encourages brain development – Supports early thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. ✍️ Prepares for future writing – Introduces the movements and control needed for drawing shapes and eventually forming letters. 🎨 Promotes creativity and self-expression – Gives toddlers a fun way to explore and communicate their ideas. 💪 Builds confidence – Every scribble is an opportunity to explore, try something new, and celebrate their accomplishments!

At two years old, it’s not about perfect letters or neat handwriting. It’s about exploring, experimenting, and having FUN! 🎉

Every scribble tells a story, and every little mark is a step toward future learning. 💕

Let’s celebrate those little hands and all the BIG things they’re learning! 🖍️📚

10/07/2026

NEW! Spanish Foundations™ for kids 2–5 years old!

We just launched our newest small-group enrichment program: Spanish Foundations. Kids build Spanish language skills and learn about other cultures through songs, movement, games, and conversation.

- 30-minute sessions meet twice a week.

- Happens during the school day.

- Prices start at $25 per week.

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x6eWF

10/07/2026

🍂🎨 Fall Tree Art: Learning Through Creativity! 🌳🍁

Our toddlers explored the beauty of fall through a fun two-step art experience that encouraged creativity while building important developmental skills!

🌳 Step 1: Drawing the Tree
Using markers, the children practiced gripping and controlling a writing utensil as they created their own tree designs. This simple activity supported fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and control of their movements while giving each child the opportunity to make their own marks.

🎨 Step 2: Painting with Cotton Balls
Next, the children used a clothespin to grasp a cotton ball, dipped it into paint, and created colorful marks on their paper. Using the clothespin helped strengthen those little hand muscles while also encouraging fine motor control.

🍁 With a variety of beautiful fall colors to choose from, the children were able to make their own choices about which colors to use and where to place them. As they dipped, pressed, and made marks, they explored cause and effect—discovering how their actions created different results on the paper.

Most importantly, this experience gave each child a chance to express themselves through art, explore at their own pace, and proudly create something uniquely their own. ❤️

Learning, exploring, and creating—one little masterpiece at a time! 🍂🖌️✨

10/06/2026

We had so much fun getting to know so many people in our community and of course enjoyed seeing a combination of both current and past KinderCare Families too!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth.

10/05/2026

Come see us at the Prior Lake Fall Community Fest tonight!

🛍️Free bag for the first 100 visitors to our booth.

☸️ Spin our wheel to win a fun prize.

❓Ask us any questions about our programs.

We can’t wait to see everyone tonight!

10/05/2026

📣 New Jersey families: Child care may be more affordable than you think.

Additional funding is helping more families qualify for New Jersey's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which could reduce your weekly child care costs.

Find out if you're eligible and apply today!

👉 Learn more. https://www.childcarenj.gov/Parents/CCAP

10/02/2026

💦 Splash, squeeze, feel, and explore! 💦

Even the simplest water play can be a rich learning experience for infants. This week, our infants explored water using soft sponges and washcloths—feeling the different textures and noticing the temperature of the water as little hands squeezed, dipped, and discovered. 🧽🫧

As our infants moved their hands through the water, they also began exploring cause and effect—watching with curiosity as their movements created ripples across the surface. 🌊

These early sensory experiences help babies learn about their world through touch, movement, observation, and experimentation. Every splash and ripple is a little moment of discovery! 💙

10/01/2026

🔤✨ Learning sight words can be so much fun! ✨🔤

Our Pre-K friends have been practicing their sight words in a hands-on way using magnet letters! 🧲❤️

Sight words are important because they help children recognize common words quickly and confidently, building a strong foundation for reading fluency and comprehension. 📚🌟

By using magnet letters, our little learners were able to see, spell, touch, and build each word while making learning interactive and engaging!

We are so proud of their hard work and love watching their confidence grow one word at a time! 🥰👏

09/29/2026

🍌🧁 Learning in the Preschool Kitchen! 🧁🍌

Our preschoolers recently rolled up their sleeves and got busy making delicious banana muffins! What might look like “just baking” is actually a wonderful hands-on learning experience filled with opportunities to explore, create, and grow. 💛

As we worked together, our preschoolers were practicing:

👩‍🍳 Following directions & sequencing — listening carefully and learning the steps involved in completing a project.

🔢 Early math skills — counting, measuring, comparing amounts, and noticing changes in quantity.

🔬 Science & observation — exploring ingredients, making predictions, and watching how ingredients change as they are mixed and baked.

🗣️ Language & communication — learning new vocabulary, talking about what we were doing, and sharing ideas with friends.

✋ Fine motor skills — scooping, pouring, stirring, mashing bananas, and using kitchen tools all strengthen those little hands and fingers.

🤝 Social-emotional skills — taking turns, sharing materials, cooperating with classmates, and practicing patience.

💪 Confidence & independence — completing real tasks and seeing the delicious results of their hard work helps children feel capable and proud!

And, of course… we got to enjoy the muffins we made together! 😋🍌🧁

Projects like this remind us that preschool learning happens everywhere—in the classroom, at the art table, outdoors, and even in the kitchen. When children are actively involved in meaningful experiences, they are learning skills that will support them far beyond preschool. ❤️

09/28/2026

🎉 Celebrating 20 years of dedication, heart, and making a difference!

For two decades, Ms. Charlene has been part of the KinderCare family, beginning her journey in 2006 as a Toddler/Twos teacher before stepping into center leadership in 2010.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Watching children learn and grow, supporting families through different seasons of life, and working alongside such dedicated educators have made this journey incredibly rewarding.”

We’re so grateful for the countless memories, lessons, and relationships she’s shared along the way.

Join us in celebrating Ms. Charlene in the comments below! 🎉

09/25/2026

🥕🍓 All About Me: ‘Me Salads’ (or edible self portraits)! 🥒🌯

Our two-year-olds got creative with their fine motor skills and imaginations as they made their very own self-portraits… with a delicious twist! 🎨✨

Using a colorful variety of fruits, veggies, tortillas, and hummus, the children explored how they could arrange different foods to create faces that were uniquely their own. From placing tiny pieces just where they wanted them to choosing colors, shapes, and textures, every little artist had their own idea of what their “self” should look like. 🥰

This hands-on experience encouraged:
🍎 Fine motor coordination and hand strength
🥕 Creativity and imaginative thinking
🌈 Making choices and expressing individuality
👀 Exploring colors, shapes, textures, and food

And of course… creating a portrait you can eat afterward makes the experience even more fun! 😋💛

We love watching our little learners discover that there are so many ways to express themselves!🌟

09/24/2026

09/22/2026

Big news for California families!

California is investing an additional $228 million to expand child care assistance, helping more families afford high-quality child care. Beginning this fall, thousands of new families may be able to receive help paying for care through the California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP).

See if your family qualifies and learn how KinderCare® can help you get started.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://rrnetwork.org/family-services/find-child-care

09/16/2026

Even the best little sleepers need extra comfort during big transitions. 💛

From teething to new classrooms, our teachers meet every child where they are, creating safe, soothing naptime routines filled with care and comfort.

Read the full blog to learn how we support restful naptimes at every stage.

https://www.kindercare.com/content-hub/articles/2015/august/sleep-well-a-primer-on-getting-great-naps-at-childcare

09/08/2026

“It is the personal connection that is the most amazing.”

Thank you for choosing KinderCare 💙

08/28/2026

Here are some ways to help pay for child care.

Start by exploring the programs and benefits that may be available to your family.


Visit trusted resources, talk with your employer, or contact your local KinderCare center to learn more.

Learn more https://www.kindercare.com/lp/childcare-tuition-support

08/26/2026

Dogs can teach children so much. From kindness and empathy to patience and respect for others.


In honor of National Dog Day, we’re sharing a few simple tips to help children stay safe and build positive relationships with dogs, cats, and other animals. 🐾❤️

1. Always ask the owner before petting a dog.

2. Let a dog sniff you or your child before petting.

3. When giving treats, use a flat palm with the fingers held together.

4. Always supervise kids under the age of 5 around pets.


Small moments of guidance can help children grow confidence while helping pets feel safe and comfortable, too.

https://www.kindercare.com/content-hub/articles/2015/february/good-dog-good-kid-teaching-your-child-safety-and-good-manners-with-pets

08/25/2026

You may be eligible to save 10% or more on child care through an employer-sponsored benefit.

KinderCare partners with organizations nationwide to make high-quality child care more affordable for working families.

Learn more https://www.kindercare.com/lp/childcare-tuition-support