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Rating
4.4 Rating based on 36 Reviews
Contact number 612-836-9800
Ages
Ages: 6 weeks - second grade
M-F
6:30am - 6:00pm
Pricing & Availability Contact Us
Reviews
  • Overview
  • Programs
  • Our Team
  • Schedule Options

About Lil’ Explorers Preschool in Andover, MN

Lil’ Explorers Childcare Center is a preschool serving the Andover area of Minnesota. Established in 2003, Lil’ Explorers Childcare Center continues to provide a safe environment for children ages 6 weeks through second grade that is centered on exploration and development.

Our Andover, MN daycare is located just a short drive from Andover High School and Roosevelt Middle School. This central location makes multi-child pick up and drop off easy and quick. Lil’ Explorers daycare in Andover is easily identified by our large, fenced in playground and safe, paved parking lot.

Our expansive facilities offer plenty of room for your children to learn, grow, and develop, while our caring staff provides a nurturing and enriching atmosphere. The Andover facility features Infant Rooms, Toddler Rooms, Preschool Rooms, dedicated Pre-Kindergarten Rooms and School-Age Rooms, along with a large gross motor room.

It is the mission of our childcare staff to provide top-notch service for Andover, MN families and provide an enjoyable and exciting time for all children in our care.

The Ascend Curriculum

Ascend Curriculum LogoWe believe that every student is a unique individual who deserves to be treated with respect. The flexibility built into our Ascend Curriculum allows us to create individualized learning experiences for each child and our teachers focus on developing new skills in subjects such as Literacy, Baby Signs, Spanish, Art, Science & Sensory, and Technology every month. Activities can be modified to match the interests and current skill level of every child and we teach through play so our students treasure these first learning experiences and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Kind Child

We nurture friendships, cultivate positive character traits, and strengthen social skills through our Kind Child culture. Kind Child is an integral part of our Ascend Curriculum and we focus on social and emotional skills every month and the development of a new character trait such as Friendship, Empathy, and a Positive Self-Image every two months. The result is a positive and supportive preschool environment where every child feels welcome.

Cadence KickStart™ Soccer

Big Fun. Little Players. Growing Confidence.

Cadence KickStart™ Soccer is a high-energy enrichment program designed to build confidence, coordination, and teamwork through fun, age-appropriate soccer play. Led by the teachers your child already knows and trusts, it’s seamlessly built into the school day.

Program Highlights:

  • Designed for ages 3–5
  • 12-week program (once per week)
  • 40–50 minute sessions
  • Builds balance, coordination, and motor skills
  • Encourages listening, teamwork, and confidence
  • No prior soccer experience needed
  • Integrated into your child’s daily schedule

Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.

Kids Café Preschool Cooking Program

Cooking Up Confidence, One Recipe at a Time

Kids Café is a hands-on cooking program where children explore new foods, build confidence, and develop essential life skills through fun, guided kitchen experiences.

Program Highlights:

  • Designed for ages 3+
  • Weekly sessions over a 12-week program
  • Hands-on cooking activities and kid-friendly recipes
  • Builds teamwork, sharing, and communication skills
  • Encourages problem-solving and following directions
  • Supports early math, literacy, and critical thinking
  • Includes a take-home cooking kit for continued fun

Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.

Lil’ Explorers Daycare in Andover: Our Promise

Unlike other daycares in Andover, Lil’ Explorers places special emphasis on early childhood education and fun-filled activities. We provide age-appropriate enrichment for every Andover child to ensure positive growth. Guardians should always feel confident with their childcare decisions, and at Lil’ Explorers Daycare in Andover, we offer a school where children can succeed.

Our Team

Lauri Ellison

Lauri Ellison

School Director

My name is Lauri, and I am the School Director at Lil’ Explorers in Andover. I have been dedicated to the childcare field since 1998. Since joining Lil’ Explorers 2022, I’ve worn many different hats, from teacher, to Assistant Director, to Director. I live in Ramsey with my husband, Marv, and am a proud mother of two and grandmother of three. My number one goal is to ensure that every child and family at Lil’ Explorers has the best early childhood experience possible.

Meggy Anderson

Meggy Anderson

Assistant Director

Meggy Anderson has always had a passion for working with children. She began her career in early childhood education in high school and has since gained experience as a lead teacher in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. After also working as an ABA therapist with children with Autism, Meggy returned to early childhood education and has loved supporting children as they learn, grow, and reach new milestones.

Outside of school, Meggy enjoys spending time outdoors with her three children—going to parks, having picnics, camping, and making s’mores around the bonfire. She also loves playing softball and trying out new bingo spots. Meggy is excited to grow in her new role and looks forward to supporting both families and staff at Cadence Academy Preschool.

Reviews from Parents

4.4 Rating based on 36 Reviews Leave A Review
Meggy Semonis • Google
The staff and management team are so friendly and welcoming! The center is very clean and very focused on the children! My kids all come in so excited everyday to see their teachers and see what special activities that they’ll do that day! We absolutely love Lil explorers!!
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STEPHANIE • Google
We have had a good experience with 2 kids at LE.
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tiffany morris • Google
Clean place and friendly staff
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Brittany Gillard • Google
We recently switched daycare centers to Lil' Explorers. Our toddler is noticeably happier here than at our previous provider. The facility is always spotless and smells great (not like poopy diapers). The classrooms are large and have many play centers and toys to play with. Each room has a plexiglass wall for transparency. The playgrounds are brand new and super fun! The meals are very healthy and balanced. Snacks aren't just a slice of american cheese and a saltine. They have fresh fruit and veggies (not canned) daily. At our previous center, they did maybe one or two art projects per week. At Lil' Explorers, they do art daily! My toddler has learned so much here. They have whiteboards in the rooms (even toddlers!) for teaching. It's been so cool to see that they have been teaching him colors, shapes, and so much more. I work on these things with him at home, and can tell that he has been learning at daycare too. They have some cool programs for the kids as well. They can sign up for soccer, yoga, and even culinary! Sometimes they have snacks at the front desk that the kids made in the culinary program. It was awesome to see portioned bags of granola and muffins that the kids made! Lauri and Meggy (director and assistant director) really care about the kids, and making each day fun. I can tell that they both love what they do, and care about each child and family. They really make going to daycare a great experience each day. All of the other teachers/staff are well groomed and always seem happy. We are so happy we made the switch to Lil' Explorers! And our toddler is too.
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Lil' Explorers Childcare Center

Andover, MN

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Childcare Schedule Options That Work With Your Life

Every family’s routine is unique — and your childcare should be too. With Cadence Education, our Family of Schools may offer various schedule options designed to fit your life.

Each of our school’s are unique, and may not offer all of the options listed below. Talk with your School Director to learn what options are available for your family.

 

 

 

FlexiPass — New Flexible Care Option!

When schedules change, or the grandparents cancel, or life just gets busy, FlexiPass gives you five prepaid days of care that you can use whenever* you need them, one at a time or all at once. No registration fees. No ongoing tuition. Just dependable care when you need it most.

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School: Lil' Explorers Childcare Center

Preparing Your Child To THRIVE

Your child is unique, and we are happy to provide an educational, fun, and nurturing environment where each child can develop and thrive in order to build a bright future with unlimited possibilities.