The Gardner School of St. Louis Park
Trusted Childcare and Preschool in St. Louis Park
Conveniently located just off I-394 and Park Place Boulevard—minutes from downtown Minneapolis—our school provides families with a high-quality early learning experience grounded in warmth, connection, and care. Serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, we provide a supportive place where children feel known, encouraged, and excited to learn.
Safe and Secure Environment
At The Gardner School, your child’s safety and health are our top priority. There are cameras throughout the building with a monitored live feed. We also implement a two-tier level of security for entry access. Every classroom is designed with safety protocols for each age. Our staff use food safety practices and are prepared to handle food and medication allergies. The teachers and staff are certified in pediatric first aid and CPR. We create a safe and caring environment for our students to learn and grow!
The Gardner School is excited to be in the St. Louis Park neighborhood. Our St. Louis Park preschool includes an indoor and outdoor playscape, a Kids’ Café, an enrichment studio, a private nursing room, and more!
Inside our inviting classrooms, teachers guide early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills through a research-based curriculum and hands-on exploration. We partner closely with families to nurture each child at their own pace, creating a supportive foundation for the years ahead. For more information, please fill out the contact form or schedule a tour below.
School Features
- Academically-focused learning with a research-based curriculum
- 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
- Inviting classrooms with experienced 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 outdoor playground with covered play area
- Spacious enrichment room for indoor play
- Yearly family and community events
- Convenient location in the St. Louis Park neighborhood
Academically-focused Programs
Summer at TGS
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
St. Louis Park Campus Leadership
Tiffany Olson
School Director
What is your educational background, and what inspired you to pursue a career in early childhood education?
I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Communication Studies from MSU, Mankato. In spring 2025 I will be pursuing my Master’s in Early Education at Concordia St. Paul. I was inspired to pursue a career in early education because of the joy and cheer little ones bring to those around them. Growing up in a big family taught me to appreciate the gentle nature of young children and the warmth they bring to those around them.
How long have you been with TGS, and what excites you most about being part of this school community?
I joined TGS in January 2024. I’m most inspired by the team’s unwavering commitment to supporting each child’s growth—intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
What do you love most about working with children during their early years of development?
I love how much learning is absorbed in the early years! From crib to kindergarten, our students at TGS have already begun their educational journey. Watching little ones grow from infancy to preschoolers is the most rewarding experience to be a part of.
What is the most rewarding part of your day at TGS?
Being a witness to how much learning and fun the kids have in class with their friends and teachers is truly rewarding. By the end of the day, many of our kiddos are sad to leave school and gush to their parents about their school day.
Share the name of a teacher who inspired you and describe how they influenced your approach to education.
My guidance counselor, Ms. R, taught me that every student has their own magical skills and abilities that make them special. This reminds me every day that education is multifaceted and adapted to all kinds of different learners. At TGS, I love seeing my teachers use this perspective to reach all our little ones and inspire a passion for lifelong learning.
Why do you believe quality early childhood education is important for a child’s development?
A child’s development in the early years is fragile yet rapid. Therefore, quality education is crucial to ensure our students’ academic success in the years to come. There is so much potential in these early years, and we now know that children are sponges at this stage. It is our responsibility to give them the educational foundation they deserve and instill the joy of learning.
How would you comfort and reassure new parents who may feel nervous about leaving their child in someone else’s care for the first time?
By walking parents through all the fun and learning experiences their child will have throughout the day at TGS, I like to remind them that our highly trained teachers always put their little ones’ well-being first, and that drop-off does get easier. Showing parents our Brightwheel app and all the features it provides helps relieve their worries by keeping them connected to their child’s experiences during the school day.
How do you partner with parents to support their child’s growth and learning journey?
At TGS, I love connecting with parents during pickups and drop-offs, as well as during our school celebrations. It gives me the opportunity to connect with all of our families and get to know their needs better. Building a bond with both the families and students allows me to guide their growth and learning journey based on their developmental skills and abilities.
Jennifer LaGuerre
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since October 2023
Roles Served with TGS:
Assistant Director at The Gardner School of St. Louis Park
What is your educational background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Science from North Dakota State University.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have always loved working with children. I started babysitting at a young age and working with children has always come naturally to me. All of my jobs have been in the childcare field, and I can’t imagine working in any other field.
What makes you laugh about kids?
I love seeing their personalities come to light in the infant and toddler age groups. As they get older, you never know what funny thing is going to come out of their mouths.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love seeing them learn and grow each day and knowing that I am part of some of the most important years of their lives.
What do you love most about TGS?
I love connecting with the families.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
I can’t say that it is a memory yet, but I am so excited to be a part of opening a brand-new preschool!
What inspires you?
The children and families.
What is your passion or passions?
My passions are my family, traveling, photography, and working with children.
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
The term “Where Learning Begins” means that starting from birth, children are always learning and growing. Building a strong foundation is so important at a young age.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is so important in teaching children how to develop social-emotional skills, preparing them for school, and setting a foundation to help children develop the skills they need to become well-functioning members of society.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
We are so lucky that they chose us to care for their child(ren) we will send them updates and pictures. The first days are usually harder on the parents than they are on the kids!
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.
