Opening Soon!
THE GROVE CHILDCARE CENTER
We’re thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of The Grove Childcare Center, a nature-based and STEM focused curriculum, where we help children learn and grow. We are committed to providing high-quality care and competitive staff compensation to build a connected community.

NURTURING A BRIGHT FUTURE
The Grove Childcare Center
We are excited to open the doors to a new childcare facility in Polk County, WI! We broke ground during the summer of 2024, and the anticipated opening is scheduled for June 2025. We look forward to serving our community by way of high-quality childcare.










Discover the Grove Difference
“Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed to support a nature-based, STEM-focused teaching philosophy. We offer a variety of learning centers and engaging activities where children can explore, discover, and grow. Our teachers are carefully selected for their dedication to fostering a balance of structure and open-ended learning experiences. This approach encourages curiosity and nurtures a lifelong love of learning in every child.”
Shannon Donaghue,
Director, The Grove Childcare
The Art Center provides materials such as paints, crayons, glue and other materials to inspire creativity and self-expression. Children participate in activities like drawing and painting, which help develop fine motor skills, enhance cognitive abilities, and boost self-confidence. This space also encourages emotional expression and visual communication. Our Art Center embraces both process-oriented and product-based learning.
Process learning is about focusing on the journey of learning rather than just the final result. It involves engaging in activities that help students explore and understand concepts deeply. Instead of just memorizing facts or completing tasks for a grade, students learn by doing, experimenting, and reflecting on their experiences. This approach emphasizes growth, curiosity, and the skills developed along the way, which can lead to better understanding and retention of knowledge.
Product learning emphasizes the final outcome of a learning experience. When students complete a project or task, they demonstrate what they’ve learned in a tangible way. This approach helps them develop specific skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking, as they work toward a clear goal.
The Manipulation Center plays a crucial role in enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through a variety of engaging activities, such as puzzles, building toys, and lacing beads. As children manipulate these materials, they refine their dexterity, which is essential for everyday tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.
Working with puzzles helps children develop spatial awareness as they learn to recognize shapes and fit pieces together, while building toys encourage creativity and structural understanding, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. Lacing beads not only promotes fine motor control but also supports pattern recognition and sequencing skills.
In addition to these physical benefits, activities in the Manipulative Center foster concentration and patience. As children focus on completing a puzzle or constructing a building, they learn to persevere through challenges, which builds their resilience. This combination of skills not only contributes to their physical development but also lays a strong foundation for cognitive growth, setting the stage for future learning experiences. Overall, the Manipulative Center provides a rich environment where children can develop essential skills through hands-on play.
The Sensory Center is a crucial space that engages children’s senses through materials like sensory bins, textured objects, and sound toys. These activities stimulate the sense of touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell, supporting comprehensive sensory development.
Sensory bins filled with various materials allow children to explore textures and weights, enhancing their tactile experiences and encouraging curiosity. Textured objects invite exploration and help develop descriptive language, while sound toys introduce auditory stimuli, improving listening skills and sound discrimination.
This type of play promotes cognitive development by encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. It also enhances focus and attention, as children engage with different materials. Many activities involve movement, aiding in coordination and fine motor skills as they scoop, pour, or thread beads.
Overall, the Sensory Center provides a stimulating environment for exploration and learning, laying a strong foundation for cognitive, social, and emotional growth in early childhood.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in early childhood education promotes exploration through hands-on activities like experiments, building kits, and interactive games. These experiences encourage children to ask questions, observe scientific principles, and engage in creative problem-solving.
Hands-on experiments spark curiosity and deepen understanding, while building kits develop critical thinking and fine motor skills. Math and technology games make learning enjoyable and help children grasp essential concepts in a playful context.
Overall, early exposure to STEM fosters a passion for science and technology, equipping children with vital skills for future learning and preparing them for a world increasingly reliant on these fields. By nurturing curiosity and creativity, STEM education lays a strong foundation for lifelong exploration and growth.
The Dramatic Play Center is a crucial part of early childhood education, allowing children to engage in role-playing with costumes and props. This type of play significantly enhances social skills, as children learn to negotiate, cooperate, and resolve conflicts while interacting with their peers. It also fosters language development by encouraging dialogue and vocabulary expansion.
Imaginative play nurtures creativity, helping children think outside the box and explore various perspectives. Additionally, collaborative play in this center teaches teamwork and the value of each other’s contributions, preparing children for future group dynamics.
Overall, the Dramatic Play Center provides a rich environment for imaginative exploration while developing essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills, laying a strong foundation for effective communication and collaboration in life.
We incorporate simple cooking lessons into our program which offers numerous benefits that support child development. These lessons enhance fine motor skills through tasks like measuring and stirring, while also introducing basic math and science concepts, such as counting and observing changes in ingredients.
Cooking fosters healthy eating habits by making children more aware of ingredients and nutrition, and it promotes social skills as children work together, sharing tasks and communicating effectively. Additionally, cooking provides a creative outlet, allowing children to experiment with flavors and presentation, which boosts their confidence.
Furthermore, cooking can introduce children to diverse cuisines and cultures, promoting inclusivity and broadening their perspectives. Overall, cooking lessons enrich the learning experience by promoting physical, cognitive, social, and cultural development.
Large motor activities provide children with opportunities to enhance their gross motor skills through activities like climbing, sliding, and balance games. This play promotes physical strength as children engage their muscles, fostering overall health and fitness.
Coordination and spatial awareness are also developed as children navigate play structures and participate in group games. They learn to control their movements and understand their bodies in relation to their environment, which is crucial for future physical activities.
Moreover, large motor play encourages social interaction, helping children develop teamwork, communication skills, and friendships. It provides an important outlet for energy, improving mood and focus, which enhances their readiness to learn in other areas.
Overall, the Large Motor Center supports gross motor skill development, strength, coordination, social skills, and emotional well-being, laying a strong foundation for healthy physical development and lifelong fitness habits.

ROOTED IN CARE
Explore our Classrooms

Infant

Toddler

PreK Program

Before and After School Care

Creativite Kids Camp
join our team!
Teaching at The Grove Childcare Center means being part of a vibrant, nurturing team dedicated to early childhood development. Teachers benefit from a rich blend of professional support, generous resources, and a welcoming atmosphere that values their contributions. With opportunities for career advancement and a focus on work-life balance, The Grove provides a rewarding environment where educators can thrive and make a meaningful impact on children’s lives.
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We would love to meet your family.
We aim to partner with families to guide each child’s development, promoting respect and community.
Contact us to learn more, or set up a tour.