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

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...

"I couldn't imagine a better setting for learning and exploring than Kid Country!!"
"I couldn't imagine a better setting for learning and exploring than Kid Country!!"
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My twins have been at Kid Country for almost 2 years now. This is the 2nd daycare they've been to and Kid Country blows their previous daycare out of the water!! ALL teachers there are kind, attentive, helpful, and so nice. I couldn't imagine a better setting for learning and exploring than Kid Country. We love it!!

- Lexi Costa

"I would absolutely recommend this daycare to anyone who is looking!!!"
"I would absolutely recommend this daycare to anyone who is looking!!!"
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Kid Country Childcare has been a fantastic daycare. My oldest Daughter attended for 4 years and now my youngest has started. Both girls absolutely love it there. The teachers are absolutely amazing and do such a wonderful job with the kids! Everyone extremely friendly and make you feel very welcome! I would absolutely recommend this daycare to anyone who is looking!!!

- Shannon Rhein

"Kid Country was highly recommended to us and we fell in love as soon as we visited!!!"
"Kid Country was highly recommended to us and we fell in love as soon as we visited!!!"
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Kid Country was highly recommended to us and we fell in love as soon as we visited. Our boys were welcomed with open arms, the kids were so thrilled to have new friends in their class, the staff was immediately kind and welcoming. I was most impressed with the curriculum, though! The boys get excited to go to school each day and we are confident they are getting plenty of attention, love and good care!

- Stefani White

"I'd highly recommend this school for anyone looking for childcare in the Manhattan area!"
"I'd highly recommend this school for anyone looking for childcare in the Manhattan area!"
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I've had my two sons enrolled at Kid Country. He runs into his class in the mornings, and if we have a holiday break for a few days, he starts asking me when he can go "back to school." I don't know what more I could possibly ask/wish for for my boys. I would highly recommend this school for anyone looking for childcare in the Manhattan area, you will not be disappointed.

- Amelia Wozniak

"I highly recommend Kid Country! The teachers are amazing..."
"I highly recommend Kid Country! The teachers are amazing..."
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I highly recommend Kid Country! The teachers are amazing. They have gone above and beyond to help my girls overcome their social anxiety which is no easy feat especially during Covid. My daughters love going to Kid Country and now have the ability to build relationships and make friends. Seeing them thrive both academically and socially has brought me so much joy as a mother. I have Kid Country to thank for that!!

- Jill Deaville

"My kids were there for 3 years and they loved all of their teachers..."
"My kids were there for 3 years and they loved all of their teachers..."
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We had a great experience at Kid Country. My kids were there for 3 years and they loved all of their teachers and were always excited to go to school. The director was always so helpful if I ever had questions and was great with communication (especially during covid). We recently moved away and were so sad to leave Kid Country!

- Katie Rollins

"I would definitely recommend bringing your children here!!!"
"I would definitely recommend bringing your children here!!!"
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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

"I love that they are play based and that the kids are constantly engaged in activities..."
"I love that they are play based and that the kids are constantly engaged in activities..."
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Our daughter has attended Kid Country since she was 6 weeks old. The staff all took her in as one of their own. I love that they are play based and that the kids are constantly engaged in activities, working together, and being outdoors! She has thrived outside the program because of what she has learned there.

- Becky Kemp

"If you are lucky enough to get a spot at this place you will not be disappointed!"
"If you are lucky enough to get a spot at this place you will not be disappointed!"
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Peace of Mind. I have dropped my three children off here for the past decade. I had peace of mind every time I dropped them off. This place is more than a "daycare" it truly is an early education center. The teachers here are some of the best I have seen, they work hard and are dedicated. If you are lucky enough to get a spot at this place you will not be disappointed.

- Jim Defrank

"I have never ever thought twice about leaving my babies there! They truly feel like family!"
"I have never ever thought twice about leaving my babies there! They truly feel like family!"
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Both of my sons attend kid country, they both started at newborns, the staff has made me and my family so comfortable leaving them in their care, they send pictures through out the day, just to let you know how their day is going good. I have never ever thought twice about leaving my babies there! They truly feel like family!

- With Love, Jessica

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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​