Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Lake Elmo-Woodbury
New Childcare Now Open in Lake Elmo
Caring Early Learning Community for Lake Elmo–Woodbury Families
The Gardner School of Lake Elmo–Woodbury is officially open and welcoming new families. Designed with connection, safety, and early academic learning in mind, our school serves children from infancy through Pre-K with a warm, supportive approach that honors each stage of development. Conveniently located near I-94 and Hudson Boulevard, we proudly serve families across Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Oakdale, and surrounding neighborhoods. With caring teachers, secure entry systems, and real-time parent updates, families feel confident and supported from the very first day.
Where Joy and Learning Meet
In each classroom, children experience a thoughtful blend of teacher-guided learning and open-ended exploration. Infants engage in gentle, sensory-rich activities, toddlers build independence and social awareness, and preschoolers grow through early literacy, hands-on S.T.E.A.M. experiences, and social-emotional learning. This balanced approach helps children build confidence, curiosity, and a joyful sense of belonging as they grow.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Teachers guide children through purposeful play, hands-on learning, and routines that strengthen confidence and foundational academic skills.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean and calm classrooms, and consistent routines help children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Healthy meals and snacks in the Kids’ Café nourish growing bodies, and a private nursing room provides comfort and convenience for nursing parents.
Environment and Design
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Inviting classrooms with natural light, warm materials, and thoughtfully arranged learning areas create a calm atmosphere where children feel comfortable and ready to explore. Spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes offer room for movement, discovery, and joyful play.
Community
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Families appreciate real-time communication, open-door daily check-ins, and a welcoming school culture that supports partnership and connection. Our school is designed to help families feel included, informed, and confident every step of the way.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Lindsey Mayer
Executive School Director
Lindsey Mayer
Executive School Director
Lindsey brings a remarkable sense of warmth and dedication to The Gardner School of Lake Elmo–Woodbury, where she loves turning small moments into meaningful connections. Whether she’s sharing a story with a child, offering a cheerful high-five, or taking a quiet moment to listen, Lindsey helps every child feel seen and valued. Families describe her as kind, approachable, and always ready with a smile that sets a positive tone for the entire school day.
Camille Neu-Tompkins
Assistant Director
Camille Neu-Tompkins
Assistant Director
Camille’s favorite moments at The Gardner School of Lake Elmo-Woodbury are the ones where she gets to witness children’s natural curiosity unfold. Whether she is watching them explore a sensory bin, hearing their laughter during play, or offering a comforting shoulder when emotions get big, she loves supporting children as they grow, adapt, and discover new parts of themselves.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.