The Gardner School of Edina
Nationally Accredited Through NAEYC With Curriculum-Based Learning
At The Gardner School of Edina, we nurture intellectual growth through a variety of visual and audio aids, educational toys, games, puzzles, and learning supplies. We believe a well-rounded education encourages an emerging sense of self and socialization alongside intellectual exploration. We are proud to have achieved the honor of national accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAEYC).
On-Site Enrichment Courses
Learning and development is encouraged at The Gardner School of Edina through our variety of enrichment programs your child can participate in. With courses like BeSmart Computers, Yoga, Spanish, Soccer, Dance, Music, and more, we offer children a solid foundation through a multitude of extracurricular opportunities in our preschool.
Our Edina preschool offers year-round full- and part-time child care with early childhood education programs for children 6 weeks old through 5 years. In a nationally-renowned school district with a thriving economy and collection of public parks, Edina is the perfect home for The Gardner School’s award-winning and academically-focused early childhood education program. With a full suite of enrichment classes, in addition to our summer camp program, Camp Gardner, students will experience a rich learning environment within a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility.
Our teachers are highly qualified and have a heart for helping young children learn and thrive.
Enroll today!
School Features
- Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum
- NAEYC Accredited
- Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
- Safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
- Bright and open classrooms with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
- Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
- On-site supplemental enrichment classes (sports, music and arts, computers, foreign language) in our enrichment studio and computer lab
- Open-door policy for daily check-ins
- Private nursing room
- Two spacious indoor playscapes plus outdoor play areas
Academically-focused Programs
Camp Gardner
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Enrichment Classes
BeSmart Computers
Dance
Music
Soccer
Spanish
Yoga
Gymnastics
Amazing Athletes
Edina Campus Leadership
Corrie Backus
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since October 2017
Roles Served with TGS:
I previously served in the roles of both Enrichment Coordinator and Assistant Director before taking on my current role as Director.
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Education.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I love learning and teaching and wanted to be able to share my love of learning with others.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Kids do not have a filter! They say whatever is on their minds at any time.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love the hugs and snuggles I receive each day. I love how genuinely happy children are to see you and how they give you the best smiles. It is also so fun to see how excited they are to learn and experience new opportunities at this age.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
I really enjoy walking around during the day and seeing all the children engaged in learning. I love seeing their faces light up as they master a task or learn a new skill. I also love seeing the interactions the teachers have with each individual child in their classroom and how the children love them. It’s priceless!
What do you love most about TGS?
I love all the enrichment programs that we offer. I love that parents have the opportunity to expose their children to all different types of activities at a young age. The best part about the classes is that they take place right here, and they can see all the fun through pictures on our parent communications app. I hear the best comments from parents, like, “I never thought they would actually do those yoga poses!”
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
I absolutely love our holiday program. Seeing all the children dressed up in holiday outfits, on stage, singing songs and playing instruments for their families is such a highlight of the year for me. I can’t handle the cuteness!
What inspires you?
I am inspired by watching passionate early childhood teachers interact with the students in their classroom.
What is your passion or passions?
I am extremely passionate about early childhood education and being a part of building the best possible learning environment for children.
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
To me, “where learning begins” means that we get to be the starting point of a child’s educational journey.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is extremely important. It is the foundation for which all other education is built upon. What a child learns in the first years of life is what sets them up for success throughout the rest of their school career.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would tell them that we are partners on this journey, and we will work together to ensure your infant gets the highest quality of care they deserve. We will communicate continuously in order for them to be involved in their infant’s experiences throughout the day. We treat all infants like they are our own and strive to meet all their needs and build strong relationships with them.
Amy Schmidt
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since August of 2020.
Roles Served with TGS:
Enrichment Coordinator, Kindergarten Teacher
What is your educational background?
Bachelor of Applied Science In Elementary Education, 10 years of early childhood education, 2 years of teaching elementary school, and 2 years of teaching middle school as a language arts instructor.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I find joy working with children.
What makes you laugh about kids?
I love when children show their innocent curiosity and share their creative ideas.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
Children grow and learn at such a rapid speed during their early education, witnessing and being a part of this growth is rewarding!
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of my day is being able to interact with the students, staff, and families.
What do you love most about TGS?
The Gardner School is a wonderful, trusted facility with amazingly gifted, loving teachers that has become my second home.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
I love our school events, especially our Holiday Program every December!
What inspires you?
The amazing staff inspires me every day!
What is your passion or passions?
I love watching the students grow through their milestones and supporting our hard-working teachers!
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
It speaks to the immense impact early childhood environments have on a child’s life and how proud early educators are to be involved in these milestones with their young learners!
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education helps build the foundations for all future endeavors and helps students navigate their world.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
Understandably, it takes a huge amount of trust to leave your most loved possession with someone else-but the students are in excellent hands with trusted professionals at The Gardner School!
What TGS Parents Are Saying
This morning in the special... app Gardner uses, we saw that our 2.5 year old participated in making a mindfulness jar, went on a superhero-themed around the world animal yoga journey, and listened to a book about how your ‘magic breath’ can get you through tough emotions. Then we got an email from his teacher talking about all of this and what it means. It was beautiful and I teared up.
Our son has been loving the teachers, friends, food, and activities at Gardner. Most importantly we feel safe with him there, and it seems like a place the staff really enjoy working at. (And he hasn’t mentioned his old school at all!)read more
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