Sonshine Learning Center

Staff

Sonshine Learning Center provides childcare programs for infants ages six weeks through prekindergarten. Led by a professional director who collaborates closely with her staff to meet each child’s unique needs and ensure that there is a warm, safe environment in which energy can be channeled productively.

Patti McKinney has over three decades of experience as the Head Teacher for Sonshine Center’s Cherubs classroom, working in child care for more than 30 years and considering it an honor to care for Sonshine’s babies. Additionally, Patti served as Head Teacher in the Lions & Lambs and Little Blessings classes.

Jody Connor serves as Sonshine Early Childhood Center Director, overseeing the care and education of 2- to 5-year-olds. Jody has been with Sonshine for 25 years, developing relationships, supporting staff members, and encouraging children’s growth and development. Jody holds Group Leader Certification from Vanguard University and Computerized Accounting Certification from Barnes Business College.

Curriculum

Sonshine Learning Center’s curriculum draws heavily upon the work of early childhood experts such as Piaget, Dewey, and Vygotsky to create meaningful learning experiences for children that focus on their interests and support their cognitive, speech, and language, social-emotional development.

Nakita Willis DBA Sonshine Learning Academy in Jenks provides safe childcare services to families with young children. Children learn through curriculum-based educational activities and play in an uplifting, nurturing environment. Furthermore, flexible schedules and accepting families utilizing subsidy programs are all part of its service offering.

This Minnesota state-licensed school offers a Christian environment to infants through preschoolers. Situated within Greenway Village Apartments adjacent to Luther Seminary, it features programs tailored to channel children’s energy and meet individual needs. Open from six weeks through prekindergarten enrollment; its license allows it to serve 116 children. As well as being a non-profit organization, it participates in the 4K Wraparound program as a community partner and part of the New Richmond Child Care Partnership.

Evaluations

Educators conduct DIBELS assessments thrice yearly with trained Sonshine assessors to assess young children’s reading skills. Students not meeting benchmarks in any area are provided coaching and monitoring by Sonshine educators until the following assessment. Measures of Academic Progress is another assessment explicitly tailored for each child’s learning level that includes vital information about what each one knows and is ready to learn, providing essential insight into what GreatSchools ratings rely upon: test scores and other metrics.