Where Children Learn To Grow
Where Children Learn To Grow
Over 20 Years Of Extraordinary Service To Our Community

Preschool & Child Care Center Serving Manhattan, IL

Fall Into Fun At Kid Country Childcare
Now Enrolling for the 2024-2025 Year!

We Help Your Child Thrive Before & After School With Enriching Activities, Homework Help, & More.
Spaces are Limited

Proudly An ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle Of Quality Center

Your family deserves the best, and you find it at a center awarded the ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle of Quality! Designated not once, but 3 consecutive times! Trust in care and education recognized for a deep commitment to excellence.
An Extra Teacher In Every Room For Personalized Care

An Extra Teacher In Every Room For Personalized Care

Every classroom has one more teacher than mandated, so your child gets the care and attention they need to thrive. An extra teacher is an extra pair of eyes and hands and an extra heart to love your little one.

“I lead with my heart and children in mind.”

~ Donna Naleway
Founder & Owner
An Expert Quality Coach Ensures Top-Quality Care

An Expert Quality Coach Ensures Top-Quality Care

Miss Meg, with a Master’s in Child and Family Law, Conscious Discipline knowledge, and three decades of experience with children and families, continues to implement practices that elevate the quality of your child’s daily learning.

Previously working as a child advocate within the Kankakee Child Advocacy Center and working in roles within DCFS, Miss Meg brings her expertise as she works closely with teachers and children in each class, interacting, observing, strategizing, and coaching so teachers deliver the greatest impact and positive start to your child’s learning journey.

Over An Acre Of Fun, Daily Explorations

A playground so big, everyone can go outdoors together and still have room to run! Safely fenced yards encompass an entire acre of climbers and slides, gardens, and green lawns just waiting for your child to enjoy.
Over An Acre Of Fun, Daily Explorations

Our Core Values Guide Us In All We Do

teaching is a work of heart

Together we empower

Committed to passion, perseverance and excellence

Strength thru compassion and teamwork

Joy and laughter in all experiences

Your Child Leaves Ready For Kindergarten & Beyond

Play-based academics, practical school skills like listening and tidying up, and learning social-emotional skills to be a good friend and confident self-advocate all come together to help your little one be completely prepared for kindergarten.

A Focus On Social-Emotional Growth Builds Self-Esteem

Teachers help your little one identify their emotions, put them into words, and advocate for their own needs. Your child builds a foundation of lifelong confidence and learns to resolve conflicts and speak up for him/herself.

Communication App Keeps You In The Everyday Loop

You never miss a moment of your child’s busy day with a handy parent communication app. Get photos, videos, activity updates, and classroom announcements at your fingertips, and always feel connected to your child.

Family Support Completes The Home-To-School Connection

Teachers partner with you to ensure that your child receives everything they need to support their success. Open communication, practicing continuity of care between home and school, and regular evaluations help you and their teachers stay on the same page.
To further support family connections, you can expect:
A Healthy, Peanut-Free Food Program Included In Tuition

A Healthy, Peanut-Free Food Program Included In Tuition

Your child enjoys morning and afternoon snacks, plus a delicious lunch every day, included in tuition to save you time and money. An onsite cook prepares food in a nut-free space with allergies and dietary needs in mind.

A Fresh Remodel To Feel More Like Home

Luxury plank vinyl flooring, a Founders’ Wall, and a fresh paint job in soothing sage green throughout make everything feel more peaceful and homelike. Beautifully remodeled facilities offer the same care you love and expect with a calming modern update.

FAQs

We are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., year-round.

We have professional cleaners come in every day to ensure sparkling, germ-free spaces. Staff also sanitizes throughout the day, and we have air purifiers and electrostatic sprayers to eliminate any pesky microbes in the air or on hard-to-clean surfaces.

All entrance doors require a coded fob for access, plus the yard is completely fenced. We also have internal-use security cameras throughout the center, and all staff members hold a current CPR certification.

Hear What Parents Have To Say...

"Our son absolutely loves going to school and looks forward to it everyday..."
"Our son absolutely loves going to school and looks forward to it everyday..."
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Our son absolutely loves going to school and looks forward to it everyday. Every teacher and staff member truly cares about each child that walks through their doors! They helped him transition smoothly and he has excelled in so many ways! Not to mention the structure they provide and The endless activities they do everyday! Thank you for providing a safe environment for my son to learn to grow!!

- Ashley Malone

"I love seeing the Conscious Discipline Social Emotional Curriculum being used..."
"I love seeing the Conscious Discipline Social Emotional Curriculum being used..."
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I love seeing the Conscious Discipline Social Emotional Curriculum being used at Kid Country! There is such a sense of calm in the classrooms. Watching teachers help toddlers learn appropriate and productive ways to express their emotions and handle conflict is so refreshing.

- Lisa C.

"He loves going to school every morning to see his teachers and friends..."
"He loves going to school every morning to see his teachers and friends..."
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My son has attended this daycare since he was 8 months old. They have taught him so much! He loves going to school every morning to see his teachers and friends. They also handled Covid extremely well and have put my mind at ease. I would highly recommend this daycare.

- Jessica Piscione

"the kids get to spend a lot of time outside and playing in general..."
"the kids get to spend a lot of time outside and playing in general..."
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My children love Kid Country. My daughter is particularly energized by KC and wants to go to school every morning, including on weekends. It helps (and I love) that the kids get to spend a lot of time outside and playing in general. (Playing is the best way for kids to learn.) They love their teachers and they’re making good friends along the way.

- Nicholas M

"There so much space to play outside, the teachers are phenomenal..."
"There so much space to play outside, the teachers are phenomenal..."
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Can’t say enough good things about kid country! Our child loves it there and gets mad at us if we pick up too early. There so much space to play outside, the teachers are phenomenal, and it doesn’t sink of dirty diapers. Very happy with our choice of sending our child here.

- Jennifer Goodman

<div class="pad80">"They are attentive and I’ve really enjoyed the experience..."</div>
"They are attentive and I’ve really enjoyed the experience..."
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My son loves going to Kid Country. They are attentive and I’ve really enjoyed the experience! I also have a baby in the nursery and it is so nice to not have to worry about her during the day and I know she is in good hands and loves seeing the teachers there.

- Lori Jenen

"Communication is great, I receive daily emails summarizing the day..."
"Communication is great, I receive daily emails summarizing the day..."
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Staff are outstanding and always go above and beyond for my child. Facility is very clean, organized with a friendly atmosphere. Communication is great, I receive daily emails summarizing the day and it’s nice to open pictures showing the fun activities. I highly recommend Kid County to any one looking for a great environment for their child.

- Nick T

"My daughter loves to go to school and I love picking her up and hearing how her day was..."
"My daughter loves to go to school and I love picking her up and hearing how her day was..."
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It’s so nice to have your child attend a place that feels like they are your family. Kid Country is our second home and I am so happy we are able to send our daughter there. The Blue Gills program is 10 out of 10!! Miss Rhonda, Miss Wendy and Miss Sam are the best! My daughter loves to go to school and I love picking her up and hearing how her day was. Nothing but the best. Thank you Kid Country!!!!

- Emily H

"everyone of their staff is friendly and knows my children by name..."
"everyone of their staff is friendly and knows my children by name..."
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Kid country has provided such high quality care for both my children, everyone of their staff is friendly and knows my children by name. Always greeted kindly. Highly recommend! They continue to amaze me with their dedication to safety and kindness.

- Yesenia Chavez

" It’s great for my daughter to have such a safe connection with one of her teachers..."
" It’s great for my daughter to have such a safe connection with one of her teachers..."
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Absolutely love sending my children here! My daughter has a special connection with Ms. Elly! Whenever she is having a bad day, I know Ms. Elly will find a way to cheer my daughter up. My daughter barely allows me to brush her hair, yet allows Ms. Elly braid her hair in all these fun ways. It’s great for my daughter to have such a safe connection with one of her teachers.

- Carly Benard

"The children are taught strong social skills and he has made incredible friends..."
"The children are taught strong social skills and he has made incredible friends..."
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My son loves going to Kid Country. He started as an infant and is now in pre-kindergarten. Kid Country is family. The caring and dedication of the staff cannot be beat. The children are taught strong social skills and he has made incredible friends that will last a lifetime.

- Erin Malinowski

"Everyone is so nice, helpful and professional. They do so much with them..."
"Everyone is so nice, helpful and professional. They do so much with them..."
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My 8 month old grandson has been going to Kid Country for a few months now and he gets so excited when we walk through the door in the morning. Everyone is so nice, helpful and professional. They do so much with them. They keep you very well informed. I would definitely recommend bringing your children here.

- Kim Bottema

"The staff at Kid Country were extremely helpful and understanding with our concerns..."
"The staff at Kid Country were extremely helpful and understanding with our concerns..."
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We have had nothing but a wonderful experience at Kid Country! The staff at Kid Country were extremely helpful and understanding with our concerns and made the transition seamless. Our son truly loves going to school and all of the activities. The stuff is involved with the development of all their children and always have the child's best interest in mind. We love knowing our son is in such good hands! I would recommend to any parent!

- Brittany Creen

"I credit her speech to Kid Country and the amazing teachers they have on staff..."
"I credit her speech to Kid Country and the amazing teachers they have on staff..."
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Kid Country Childcare is the best thing I have done for my child. Before starting, at one and a half she was almost completely non verbal with no signs of starting. After about 2 months she started speaking more. Now at two and a half she hasn’t stopped talking. I credit her speech to Kid Country and the amazing teachers they have on staff. Out of all the childcare facilities in my area, I’m glad I went with Kid Country.

- Lauren S

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How Old Is Your Child?

Infants

6 wks - 15 mos

Toddlers

15 - 30 mos

Twos

24 - 42 mos

Preschool

3 - 4 Years​

Pre-K

4 - 5 Years​

Before & After

5 - 12 Years​

Camps & Breaks

5 - 12 Years​

Morning Pre-K

3 - 4 Years​

Looking for a Safe, Fun, & Nurturing Environment for Your Child Before & After School?

We're Now Enrolling For Our Before & After School Program!