The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie
Warm Early Learning Community in Minnetonka–Eden Prairie
The Gardner School of Minnetonka–Eden Prairie provides high-quality infant care, preschool, and Pre-K programs for families across Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, and the West Metro. Our learning atmosphere at The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie includes a careful blend of learning programs, centered around curriculum-based lessons, child-directed activities, and structured play. Your child will have access to Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders Curriculum, and Learning without Tears Curriculum, in addition to a full suite of on-site, optional supplemental enrichment classes.
Inviting Preschool Classrooms and Spacious Indoor and Outdoor Playscapes
With our state-of-the-art preschool environment and colorful and safe play areas, students and parents will feel cared for and at home from the moment they enter the doors at The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie. Your child will love our spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes, where we encourage structured play that promotes creativity and socialization.
Our school is located at 6040 Clearwater Drive next to Children’s Minnesota. Stimulating, creative, and educationally focused, The Gardner School of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie has been designed to meet the needs of our most important clients—children. Enrollment is underway for our award-winning child care and preschool program in Minnetonka. With our state-of-the-art facility and colorful and safe playground environments, Minnetonka students and parents can feel at home and safe from the moment they enter our school doors.
Offering year-round educational programs for full and part-time child care for six weeks old through 5 years, we provide a full suite of enrichment classes, as well as our summer camp program, Camp Gardner. With our highly-praised curriculum delivered by our degreed and highly-qualified teachers in each classroom, your child will be prepared for kindergarten and equipped to make the world a better place!
School Features
- Located less than 10 minutes from Eden Prairie and Hopkins
- Conveniently located just off I-494 and MN-62 W
- Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum and four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
- Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, school announcements
- Safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
- Inviting classrooms with large windows for natural light
- 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, allowing children to experience spaces outside their classroom
- Open-door policy for daily check-ins
- Spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes
- Private nursing room
Academically-focused Programs
Infants
Toddlers
Twos
Preschool
Pre-K
Summer at TGS
Minnetonka-Eden Prairie Campus Leadership
Heather Larson
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been in a director role in early childhood education for over eight years. I’ve been with The Gardner School since late 2022.
Roles Served with TGS:
Director at The Gardner School of Minnetonka.
What is your educational background?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and family education from the University of Wisconsin in Stout, WI.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have a desire to create a village for parents, children, and teachers to feel safe, happy, and healthy. What other profession supports all three goals? We all deserve the best in education. Teachers build the foundation for so many future leaders.
What makes you laugh about kids?
EVERYTHING! You never know what can and will happen. It’s the exploring, creating, and playing—and finding the goofy in our day.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
Creating a safe place for children to learn and grow, being a resource for parents, and encouraging my teachers to create high-quality classroom environments.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
All day! We are busy and learning so many different things.
What do you love most about TGS?
I am able to hire the best candidates to create developmentally age-appropriate classrooms that allow children to become well-rounded learners.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My first coffee chat—an online open house for our parents to just chat, discuss, and work together. We were all coming together to get to know one another for the first time. I was very thankful for all the parents who welcomed me.
What inspires you?
Our children, my team, and our company.
What is your passion or passions?
There are too many to list! But my primary passion is what I tell all of my students—BE KIND.
How important is early childhood education?
It is the foundation of a student’s future learning. We set the tone for his or her love of learning. It’s essential to work with parents to create a village for all to feel supported.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I have been there. We will get through this together. Let us be a part of your village.
Kayla Larsen
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been with TGS since December of 2022.
Roles served with TGS:
At TGS, I’ve worked as an infant teacher and as an office support manager.
What is your educational background?
I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Grand Canyon University. Growing up, I loved children and helping babysit. I took on a nanny role while in college and then found my way into a child care center.
What makes you laugh about kids?
I love making silly voices and peek-a-boo faces with them!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I enjoy working with children to be able to help guide them on their learning journey.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of my day is at the end of the day when the children come to the front desk to tell me all the fun things they did in their classrooms.
What do you love most about TGS?
The thing I love most about TGS is that the students, families, and teachers are the number one priority!
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My most fondest memory so far at TGS is watching my first year babies graduate and go off to Kindergarten.
What inspires you?
My daughter inspires me the most. She inspires me to keep doing better and doing more.
What is your passion or passions?
A passion of mine has been to ensure families have quality care. I strive to create amazing communication with parents and make a home away from home for all children.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood is the foundation for all children to succeed in their future. As early childcare educators, we are here to help them be the best they can be.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
Trusting anyone to care for your most prized possession is hard to do, but at TGS Minnetonka, we strive to feel like a part of your family before your first drop-off day.
What TGS Parents Are Saying
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren't ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren't yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family,
please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.