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 Eagan
Where Children Learn with Confidence and Care
Welcoming Preschool Community in Eagan
At The Gardner School of Eagan, children learn and grow in a warm, thoughtfully designed environment that supports early academics, social-emotional development, and meaningful connection. As a NAEYC-accredited preschool serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, our school offers research-based learning, experienced teachers, and a calm, caring environment where every child feels supported. Conveniently located near Yankee Doodle Road and Lexington Avenue, our school provides easy access for families across the Eagan community.
Purposeful Start for Young Minds
Our highly trained teachers guide learning through a research-aligned curriculum that blends early literacy, math, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration. Each child is regularly assessed and supported at their own pace, helping them build confidence and independence. With bright classrooms, a private nursing room, and safe indoor and outdoor play areas, our school provides a welcoming environment that feels both warm and thoughtfully designed for young learners.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early academic skills, creativity, social-emotional development, and problem-solving. Teachers guide children through hands-on learning, purposeful play, and consistent routines that help build strong foundations for kindergarten and beyond.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean and calming classrooms, and predictable routines create a safe, supportive environment for young learners. 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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Bright classrooms with natural light, warm materials, and thoughtfully designed learning areas create a calm, welcoming space where children feel comfortable and ready to explore. Indoor and outdoor play areas offer room for movement, discovery, and joyful learning.
Community
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Families appreciate our warm school culture, open communication, and consistent partnership between teachers and parents. Real-time updates, daily check-ins, and welcoming family events help build a strong sense of connection and belonging throughout the early years.
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.
Available at select Gardner School locations, our Private Kindergarten program offers a full day of meaningful, research-based learning in a small, supportive classroom setting. With nearly half the student-teacher ratio of most schools, children receive the personalized attention and enrichment that build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Our private kindergarten program represents the culmination of early childhood education at TGS—balancing 21st-century learning skills with the heart of whole-child development.
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
Meghan Knipp
Executive School Director
Meghan Knipp
Executive School Director
One of Meghan’s favorite moments at The Gardner School of Eagan is when families stop by to share a sweet story or milestone from home — like a new skill learned or something funny their child said. Those small exchanges of joy remind her how connected the TGS community truly is and how much love and learning happen both inside and outside the classroom.
Ellie Dettwiler
Assistant Director
Ellie Dettwiler
Assistant Director
Ellie joined The Gardner School of Eagan in October 2025 and feels right at home in the warm, welcoming community. Each morning, she loves bringing positive energy to the building and encouraging others to start the day with that same enthusiasm. Whether greeting families or stopping into classrooms, Ellie enjoys seeing the joy and excitement that fill each room.
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.