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 Minnetonka-Eden Prairie
Where Young Learners Feel Supported and Inspired
Warm Early Learning Community in Minnetonka–Eden Prairie
At The Gardner School of Minnetonka–Eden Prairie, children learn and grow in a warm, thoughtfully designed environment that blends early academics with meaningful play. Serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, our NAEYC-aligned preschool offers research-based learning, nurturing relationships, and modern classrooms filled with natural light. Conveniently located off I-494 and MN-62 near Children’s Minnesota, our school provides easy access for families across Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, and West Metro Suburbs.
Purposeful Approach to Early Learning
Children explore early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning through a combination of teacher-guided instruction and child-led discovery. Our curriculum includes Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders, and Learning Without Tears – giving each child a strong academic foundation that grows with them year after year. Spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes offer room to move, play, and connect, helping children build confidence and independence in a safe, welcoming environment.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, creativity, and social-emotional development. Teachers guide children through purposeful play, hands-on exploration, and structured routines that build confidence and strong academic foundations.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean and calming classrooms, and predictable daily routines help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks in the Kids’ Café nourish growing bodies, and a private nursing room offers comfort and convenience for nursing parents.
Environment and Design
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Bright classrooms with large windows, warm materials, and thoughtfully arranged learning spaces create a calm, inviting atmosphere. Spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes provide room for movement, exploration, and joyful play throughout the day.
Caring Teachers
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Our highly qualified teachers bring warmth, expertise, and genuine care to each classroom. They take time to understand each child’s personality and learning style, building relationships that help children feel known, supported, and confident.
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
Heather Larson
Executive School Director
Heather Larson
Executive School Director
Heather has helped shape The Gardner School of Minnetonka–Eden Prairie into a true community of connection, care, and joy. Since joining in 2022, she has built a welcoming environment where families feel at home, teachers feel supported, and children are eager to learn and explore. Her mornings begin with smiles, laughter, and quick check-ins with her team to ensure everyone starts the day feeling ready and inspired.
Kayla Larsen
Assistant Director
Kayla Larsen
Assistant Director
Some of Kayla’s favorite moments at The Gardner School happen at the end of the day, when children rush to the front desk to tell her everything they learned, made, or discovered. Those little updates often turn into big smiles, silly voices, and peek-a-boo games that remind her why she loves early childhood so much.
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.