Ebenezer Ridges Campus' Child Care provides a balanced faith-based approach to teaching infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that focuses on the whole child by promoting social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and educational growth. Ebenezer Ridges Campus Child Care uses a hands-on learning style that encourages children to explore, create, question, and make their own choices, helping prepare them for the transition into school.
Our Methodology
At The Ridges Childcare, your family is our focus. Our childcare philosophy is learning through play and exploration. We offer a unique program that brings multiple generations together in a stimulating co-learning environment. As children and older adults share memories, play games and create together, an unmistakable bond forms that transcends generations. For kids who don’t live near their own grandparents, this connection can be especially poignant.
Through the support of PLAY, The Ridges Childcare teachers help children to develop key compentency in all developmental areas.
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The Ridges Childcare Play Philosophy
Our play through exploration philosophy provides an environment where children can explore throughout the day in classroom learning centers, large muscle activities, music times, and small group instruction at their own pace. Our teachers set up and facilitate the environment for all children to reach their potential. With our unique co-learning environment, The Ridges Childcare Kids learn alongside our Grandfriends which help them see beyond their own small worlds. They will understand more about life and discover many similarities between themselves and their new friends. This understanding and love will lay a foundation for celebrating diversity, a skill that they will use throughout their lives.
“All the staff have been wonderful over the past 5 years; there is very little turnover which allows for strong and meaningful relationship with teachers and students.”
“E., H., M., and S. are fabulous humans and have made our daughter a better person through their care, teaching and love.”
“S. has always been so personable and treats my child and every other child like her own.”
“You know you are in the right place when your kids run to their teachers!” -- S.T.
“There’s a reason that the Ridges has waiting lists…exceptional care and learning options every day!” -- L.M.
“We had lots of questions and were scared. 3 months later, I’m asking the teachers for advice!” – J.P.
Our Programs
Our talented child care teachers can’t wait to meet your family!
We offer exceptional education and care for children age 6 weeks to Pre-Kindergarten.
OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES: Intergenerational activities with our Grandfriends who live on our campus, engaging curriculum that focuses on educational benefits of learning through play, healthy food prepared daily by our own Chefs, fun exploration outside time, and so much more!
*Summer spots will fill fast, please reserve early.
INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING
Students of the Child Care program at Ebenezer Ridges Campus are invited to take part in our unique intergenerational education program. In this program, residents of our Ebenezer Ridges Campus senior living community become the “Grandfriends” of our youngest community members: rocking infants, leading toddlers in arts, crafts, and gardening activities, or partnering with preschoolers in the Life Long Learning MacPhail Music program.
As children and seniors share stories, play games, and create together during staff-supervised activities, an unmistakable bond forms that transcends generations and brings joy to participants of all ages.
[Our children] have benefited greatly from the interactions with the Grandfriends in art and music and field trips. It has helped them…not to be afraid or ignore those who may be different.
My boys have opened up so much more to my grandparents since coming to Ebeneezer, to them, everyone with grey hair is now one of their Grandfriends.
Intergenerational programming is one of the top things that drew me to Ebenezer Ridges. I love that my daughter has these interactions even in the infant room. I feel strongly that these interactions will help her to build skills of empathy and patience.
I love hearing about the fun things my daughter gets to do with the "Grandfriends.” I love seeing the bonds that are created!
About Our Director
My name is Jody Schumann. I am currently the Director of Child Care on the Ebenezer Ridges Campus in Burnsville. I have been the director for 19 years at Ebenezer. I have over 35 years of experience working in child care. I have a degree in Family and Consumer Science from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
I was a part of opening the TowerLight Child Care Program with Ebenezer 10 years ago and helped start-up and open The Pillars Child Care program.
I work part-time at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Lakeville in the retail shop and cashier for the last 18 years. I enjoy biking, camping, fishing and cooking.