Play. Learn. Grow.

Our Story

Welcome to Gaetz Kiddie Kove.

Gaetz Kiddie Kare, Inc. has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in the St. Cloud since 1974. As a proud family-owned and operated center, we are committed to providing top-quality, center-based care. Our state-licensed facility is always smoke-free, ensuring a healthy environment for your child.

We are proud to have achieved a Four-Star Parent Aware Rating, a testament to our dedication to school readiness best practices and our commitment to preparing children for kindergarten. You can find more information about the state rating program here.

Our program operates year-round and is designed for three distinct age groups: Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers. Each group benefits from a specialized curriculum and lesson plans that promote developmentally appropriate learning through a variety of engaging activities.

  • Child laying on a wooden floor with hands on a red paper heart.

    Family Owned

    Gaetz Kiddie Kove, a family-owned center, prioritizes children's well-being and development. With founders involved daily, we create a safe, nurturing, and community-focused environment.
  • Colorful circular loading icon with six segments in various colors, including yellow, green, teal, blue, purple, and red.

    Brightwheel

    At Gaetz Kiddie Kare, Inc., we use the Brightwheel app to keep families connected. It offers real-time updates on activities, meals, and naps, along with photos and videos of your child’s day. Brightwheel also makes messaging with our staff easy, helping us work together to support your child’s growth.

  • Logo of Parent Aware with purple text and a yellow star on a white background enclosed in a yellow circle.

    4-Star Parent Aware Rated

    Gaetz Kiddie Kove is proud to be a 4-Star Parent Aware rated center, reflecting our commitment to high-quality care, qualified staff, and strong family partnerships that support every child’s growth.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy emphasizes each child's uniqueness in a loving, respectful environment where they feel accepted. We promote responsibility, creativity, and self-sufficiency through play and exploration. With a diverse staff and strong family communication, we focus on the child's overall well-being and encourage growth to reach key milestones in a supportive, family-oriented setting.

Illustration of a hand holding a light bulb with a brain inside, symbolizing creativity and ideas.

 FAQs

  • We care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, organized into three distinct age groups:

    • Infants: 6 weeks to 16 months

    • Toddlers: 16 to 33 months

    • Preschoolers: 33 months to 5 years

  • Kiddie Kove is licensed to accommodate up to 59 children, including 30 preschoolers (10 of whom can be school-age), 21 toddlers, and 8 infants.

  • We promote a holistic education approach that nurtures the whole child—physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We are a non-denominational daycare center and accept children without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.

  • Daily activities include circle time, art projects, and other engaging experiences that promote intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth, while respecting each child's cultural background.

  • We complete progress reports twice a year and offer parent conferences to discuss each child's development across intellectual, physical, social, and emotional domains. These reports are maintained in the child's file.

  • Our daily schedule balances indoor and outdoor activities, providing a mix of quiet and active play, with opportunities for both teacher-directed and child-initiated activities.