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.
A Safe Place Where Your Child Learns To Grow

“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.
Family-Owned & Operated Means Strong Interpersonal Connections

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.
Loving Owner With Over 20 Years Of Extraordinary Service
Consistent & Top-Quality Care With An Expert Quality Coach

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.
Over-Staffed Classrooms For Personalized Attention
An Illinois ExceleRates Silver Circle Of Quality Recipient

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:

Family Support For A Strong Partnership
Focusing On Social-Emotional Growth Builds Self-Esteem

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:

Put Your Child On The Path To Excellence With

Support From Tenured Teachers & Award-Winning Care

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​

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 and her family carry on a legacy of providing safe, fun, loving child care an early education for the community’s next generation of leaders.

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.