Award-Winning Early Education

Backed By Parent Support, Love, Laughter, Community, & Dedication

Preschool & Child Care Center Serving Manhattan, IL

A Safe Place Where Your Child Learns To Grow

Parents, teachers, curriculum, and materials all play a vital role in your child’s growth and development. Our mission is to provide an early learning environment where your child feels safe while learning the necessary social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills for success.

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

~ Donna Naleway

Founder & Owner

Core Values That Promise The Very Best

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

Loving Owner With Over 20 Years Of Extraordinary Service

Opening Kid Country Childcare in 2002 was a dream come true for Miss Donna, who began the center with her aunt, Miss Loretta, as co-owner. Miss Loretta fully retired in 2017, while Miss Donna, her husband, sons, and daughters-in-law carry on a legacy of providing safe, fun, loving child care and early education for the community’s next generation of leaders. Family means everything to Miss Donna, so she makes you feel like part of the family by encouraging strong interpersonal connections.

Miss Donna holds an associate degree from Joliet Junior College and a Level 1 Director’s Credential from the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Professional Development system. She loves to travel, walk on the beach, read books, and spend time with her grandbabies.

“When we first opened in 2002, I was driven by a simple goal: to provide the highest quality care for my own children and all the children who would come through our doors. But what did that quality look like? How would we achieve it? Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure.

So, I ran the center with one focus: What’s best for the children? Even when others questioned my choices or the numbers didn’t add up, I trusted my instincts and stayed true to that principle.

Now, over 20 years later, our unwavering commitment to quality has defined who we are. We’ve refined our approach and truly understand what quality care means.”

- Miss Donna

Loving Owner With Over 20 Years Of Extraordinary Service

Owner Donna opened her doors in June 2002 as Manhattan’s first child care center. This year she celebrated a huge milestone—20 years of providing extraordinary care! Miss Donna holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Level 1 Director’s Credential.

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my story

So, What Does Quality Look Like, and How Does it Set Us Apart from Most Other Childcare Providers?

Support

Adding more teachers in each classroom boosts care quality by reducing child-to-teacher ratios, enhancing 1:1 attention, and improving staff retention. This approach supports our children and team, creating a win-win situation.

Heart

Teaching is a true work of heart. Even with my grandchildren here, we focus on what’s best for each child—whether they need comfort, guidance, or celebration. We’re dedicated to supporting and nurturing every child.

Dedication

We’re committed to your children and our quality standards. Our Quality Coach ensures excellence by observing, mentoring, and training our team, maintaining top-notch care and consistency.

Dedication

We’re committed to your children and our quality standards. Our Quality Coach ensures excellence by observing, mentoring, and training our team, maintaining top-notch care and consistency.

Community

Once enrolled, you’re part of our family. We support you through challenges, celebrate milestones, and engage with the Manhattan community through events and local support.

Community

Once enrolled, you’re part of our family. We support you through challenges, celebrate milestones, and engage with the Manhattan community through events and local support.

Humor

We make learning fun! From Dance Party Fridays to creative dress-up days, we embrace the joy of childhood, making every moment of learning an exciting and enjoyable experience.

THIS Is What Quality Looks Like. This Is What You and Your Child Will Experience When You Enroll at Kid Country — The Absolute Best for the Children in Our Care!

Consistent & Top-Quality Care With An Expert Quality Coach

With a Master’s in Child and Family Law, expertise in Conscious Discipline, and three decades of experience working with kids and families, Miss Meg continues to put practices in place that improve the standard of your child’s everyday learning.

Miss Meg works closely with teachers and students in each class, interacting, observing, strategizing, and coaching so teachers have the greatest impact and provide a positive start to your child’s learning journey.

Over-Staffed Classrooms For Personalized Attention

All classrooms have one extra teacher than the state-required ratio so you can be sure your child receives the best personalized care and attention possible. Smaller class sizes allow tenured teachers to focus on your kiddo’s unique skills, pace, and abilities.

An Illinois ExceleRate Silver Circle Of Quality Recipient

Your family deserves award-winning early education. Recognized for a deep commitment to excellence and high-quality care, the center earned the Illinois ExceleRate Silver Circle of Quality every year since 2015!

Family Support For A Strong Partnership

Practicing continuity of care between school and home, open communication, and regular evaluations help you stay on the same page as your child’s teachers. Here are just a few ways teachers partner with you:

Bi-annual Parent-Teacher conferences bring you and your kiddo’s teachers together to connect face-to-face in their loving home-away-from-home environment.
An Ages & Stages Questionnaire enables you to work with teachers to assess your child’s social-emotional and developmental milestones.
Help with finding services should observations or assessments show any delays or gaps that require attention.

Focusing On Social-Emotional Growth Builds Self-Esteem

Using the play-based Creative Curriculum©, teachers help your little one recognize their emotions, put them into words, and speak for their own needs. This helps build the foundation for resolving conflicts, standing up for themselves, and lifelong confidence and self-esteem.

Teachers Use Play-Based Academics & Practical School Skills To Help Your Little One Head Into Kindergarten Successfully:

Managing feelings
Healthy relationships
Responsibility for their own well-being
Managing classroom rules, routines, & transitions
Positive interaction with peers
Good manners
Taking turns & sharing

Attending & engaging
Thinking symbolically
Complex motor & balancing skills
Flexibility & inventiveness in thinking
Showing awareness of print
Identifying & naming 10-20 letters
Interacting during read-aloud & book conversations

Preschool & Child Care Center Serving Manhattan, IL