A Globally–Inspired Approach to World-Class Early Education
We Aim For Excellence in All Aspects of Your Child’s Learning Journey
A Globally–Inspired Approach to World-Class Early Education
We Aim For Excellence in All Aspects of Your Child’s Learning Journey
Preschool & Childcare Serving Erie, CO & Kansas City, KS
Advocates For Education That Bring Passion To Early Learning
Our Founder and Owner, Pamela Piekarski, started in early education as a Kindergarten teacher in 1978. Over the years she realized that kindergarten was late for introducing early-learning skills to children and that they would have much better opportunities in life if they were taught necessary concepts at an earlier age. With an owner who has been in the childcare industry for 40 years and teachers who all have education in developmentally appropriate practices, we are stalwart advocates for education.
Family-Owned and Operated, We Support the Needs of Our Community
Finally in 1985, after not being able to find quality early learning for her 3 daughters who were under 5, she opened her first childcare center in Kansas City, MO. As a parent, Ms. Pamela knew all children deserve the best curriculum so they are able to enter public school ready to read. After researching different curriculums, she saw that the Montessori style of teaching children to read created the best learning opportunity for each child. Using the knowledge that Ms. Pamela gained, we promote the joy of active learning while respecting that everyone’s learning process is different.
Cutting Edge Early Education Techniques Make The Difference
In addition to earning her BA in Education, our founder was trained in the Montessori method for children from birth to 6 years. This allows Ms. Pamela to see the continuity of how a child learns from inception. Through her experiences living in South America and visiting other countries, she truly understands how culture impacts the child’s learning. She believes children deserve every advantage during this crucial time of learning. Her engaging style, hands-on approach, and ability to engage all learners have made her a favorite among the teachers and parents she works with.
Building Self-Esteem And Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
Our primary goal is to equip your child for life, which includes rewarding peer interactions. We view young children as individuals who are curious about their world and have the powerful potential to learn from all that surrounds them. Our teaching strategies include socio-emotional skills and support your child in establishing lasting emotional intelligence.
Our Teachers Empower, Reassure, and Offer Gentle Guidance To Every Child
Our teachers are experts in the field of early education, and their vocation is to touch the heart of each child they work with. Whether your child needs a hug, reassurance, or gentle guidance and redirection, a team member is always nearby.
Children Learn Through Collaborative Play And Experimentation
Our company uses the Highscope Curriculum and teaching
method, which is play-based, child-centered, and grounded in research. The HighScope Curriculum promotes active learning, not just sitting and listening. Children explore, interact, and exercise their imaginations as they learn about the world they live in.
Music, Yoga and Art Enrichments Encourage Creative Expression
Your little one’s imagination and their creative side will be encouraged to flourish thanks to our roster of enriching activities such as music, yoga and art. From singing songs to learning yoga poses, and trying out different instruments, we offer no shortage of pastimes to support a young learners’ left-brain development.
We Keep You Up-To-Date With Regular Feedback
Our parent communication method is through COR Advantage. This is both an assessment tool using regular anecdotal notes and our way of keeping you updated about your little one’s learning journey via photos, messages, and real-time updates about their day. The tri-annual assessment will include your child’s developmental milestones and achievements.
Healthy, Organic Meals, and Snacks To Fuel Young Learners All Day Long
We believe in delivering the tastiest foods possible without compromising on quality! Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are made entirely from organic, fresh ingredients, keeping kids happy and energetic. We also provide gluten-free options and are a nut and peanut-free environment, and all items served are home-cooked and free from preservatives or dyes.
Daily Gratitude Practices For Lasting Happiness and A Positive Mindset
We believe in teaching children to be thankful for what they have and appreciative of all the components that make up their daily lives. Gratitude is a part of our programming; kids become aware of how lucky they are to have amazing families, friends, and peers. We also say grace before every meal as a means of showing appreciation towards the healthy, nutritious food that fuels us.
Eco-Healthy Child Care® Certified So That Toxic Substances Are Of No Concern
We adhere to a strict list of 30 environmentally-healthy practices, such as using non-toxic cleaning supplies, maintaining positive air quality, conducting water testing, avoiding toys made of PVC, using non-harmful art supplies, and more. This certification allows parents to rest easy, knowing that preventable environmental health hazards are of no concern to their children while under our care.
Yes, We Offer Tuition Support Options
Hear What Parents Have To Say...
"Our daughter is welcomed each morning with a warm smile..."
We found Ms. Pamela Piekarski, who has 40 years of early education experience, is bilingual and raised three daughters, and her staff were courteous, professional and made time to address our concerns in a timely manner. Our daughter is welcomed each morning with a warm smile. I wholeheartedly recommend Exploring Minds Academy and encourage parents in need of day care to consider this center a legit possibility.
"The care in both the infant and toddler rooms has been great..."
We could not be more thrilled about Exploring Minds Academy. Its location also feels secluded and safe. The care in both the infant and toddler rooms has been great. We love the clear communication from staff and our child is excited to go to “school,” as well as excelling academically. We are consistently in awe of the center’s influence on our child’s sign language knowledge, manners, and verbal development.
"They teach my kids a lot of things like eating all their food..."
My kids love it here! Everyday they bring home something new they made and they are so proud of it. They teach my kids a lot of things like eating all their food is called "making a happy plate". They can say thank you and I want more in sign language. The staff is great and Mrs.Pamela actually cares about our life outside of school and will help you out if you have any problems going on.
"Curriculum based center focuses on learning through play with positive directives..."
Exploring Minds Academy is a curriculum based center that focuses on learning through play and redirecting with positive directives. It shows through kids that have passed through their doors that have gone on to succeed in their academics. The teachers are consistently being trained in new areas on how to teach your children. I highly recommend enrolling your children at Exploring Minds Academy!
"The staff & administration are all very trustworthy & I've never had a problem..."
My kids have been coming here since 2014 & they all have enjoyed it here. They have loved all of their teachers & have been well taken care of by all the staff over the years. The staff & administration are all very trustworthy & I've never had a problem with leaving my children here. I highly recommend enrolling your kids here as the curriculum is outstanding especially when entering kindergarten & at an affordable price.
"We have been comforted by the ample experience of many of the teachers..."
Exploring Minds has been our first and only daycare for our family and we couldn't have asked for anything more. We have really enjoyed the openness of the play area at Exploring Minds. We have been comforted by the ample experience of the teachers and have come to rely on daily reports supplied by the school. All in all, we are truly humbled to have such a dedicated team looking over the youngest member of our family.
"We absolutely love all the teachers and the smaller, more family-like feel..."
My son has been in the infant room at Exploring Minds since he was 2 and a half months old and it's been an amazing experience. We absolutely love all the teachers and the smaller, more family-like feel. He gets to be around babies/toddlers at different developmental stages, which has just been so valuable for him. We're incredibly grateful to everyone at Exploring Minds and so thankful he was able to get a spot there.
"Their days seem very well structured with times for creativity, learning and play..."
Our daughter has attended this daycare for about two years and we have been very happy with them. They are big advocates for outdoor time, which I love, and their days seem very well structured with times for creativity, learning and play. They provide healthy meals, which is a big convenience for the parents. Our toddler is happy, thriving and enjoys her days at Exploring Minds Academy.
"The staff and teachers do a great job of staying organized with activities..."
We love this cozy little center. The staff and teachers do a great job of staying organized with activities that the kids actually make or participate in. They have focused daily lessons at circle time. They also provide transportation to many other full and half day school programs. The program is truly affordable unlike most and I feel like they do just as much with the kids if not more. It may not be brand new but they are well established.
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parent reviews
"I highly recommend enrolling your kids here"
My kids have been coming here since 2014, & they all have enjoyed it here. They have loved all of their teachers & have been well taken care of by all the staff over the years. The staff & administration are all very trustworthy, & I've never had a problem with leaving my children here. I highly recommend enrolling your kids here as the curriculum is outstanding, especially when entering kindergarten, & at an affordable price.
Kayla Gaskey
"It is such a great atmosphere! All the teachers are great and Mrs. Sharon is wonderful!"
I love Exploring Minds - my daughter is in the infant room and loves going to school. They do art projects, play, sing songs, and talk to the infants too. It is such a great atmosphere! All the teachers are great, and Mrs. Sharon is wonderful!
Jackie Uttley
"they provide healthy meals, which is a big convenience for parents"
Our daughter has attended this daycare for about two years (toddler and pre-school) and we have been very happy with them. They are big advocates for outdoor time, which I love, and their days seem very well structured with times for creativity, learning and play. They are very affordable compared to other daycares in the area and they provide healthy meals, which is a big convenience for parents. Our toddler is happy, thriving and enjoying her days at Exploring Minds Academy.
Jean Lewis
our locations
How old is your child?
infants
2 weeks - 12 months
TODDLERS
1 - 2.5 years
PRESCHOOL
2.5 - 5 years
Pre K
4 - 5 years
