Thank you for considering the Elk River, Minnesota New Horizon Academy! We are conveniently located off Highway 169, near Highway 10. Our school has been serving Elk River, Otsego, Dayton, and Ramsey families since 2006 and offers infant, toddler, preschool, pre-k, school-age, and summer learning programs. Our Elk River daycare center is accredited by NAEYC, the gold standard in daycare accreditation. All New Horizon Academy childcare classrooms utilize a comprehensive early learning curriculum, focusing on STEAM, reading, social-emotional development, and more. We believe in the power of play and encourage growth and learning through physical movement. We would love to meet your family! Schedule a tour at our Elk River daycare center today.
Awards and Accolades
I started my NHA journey at our St. Cloud location. I was a young preschool teacher and then the assistant director. I transferred to the Elk River location in 2005. I have been the director at the Elk River location since 2012. My husband and I became empty nesters in 2023 when our two daughters moved out. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and camping.
Education – BA in Early Childhood
Years of Early Childhood Education Experience: 25
What do you like about early childhood?
Watching a child’s eyes light up when they are learning something new. Where else can you work and get a ton of hugs each day?!
What makes your school unique?
We are a very strong team here in Elk River. We have 5 teachers that have been here for 15+ years! We are NAEYC accredited and 4-star parent aware rated.
What is your favorite children’s book?
“Peppermint” by Dorothy Grider
My husband and two kids live in the country on 120 acres. Our family loves to be outside four wheeling, dirt biking, swimming, having bonfires, snowmobiling, walking our dog, planting flower gardens, and boating. We enjoy road trips, traveling, time at the cabin, playing games, movie nights, and shopping. I started my career with New Horizon Academy in 2007 as a toddler float, became a toddler teacher, early preschool teacher, and then was a float again. I have been the assistant director since December 2023.
Education – AA in Early Childhood
Years of Early Childhood Education Experience: 18
What do you like about early childhood?
I love watching the children absorb everything around them! They are so easily pleased to learn new things!
What makes your school unique?
We have many long-term teachers, we are accredited, and we have a very high percentage of our employees who are teacher qualified!
What is your favorite children’s book?
“Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch
At New Horizon Academy Elk River, childcare tuition rates vary by:
Please fill out our contact form or schedule a tour, and our school director will provide your family with personalized tuition rates.
Request Elk River Tuition Rates
Our Elk River early childhood center is open Monday-Friday every day with the exception of nine holidays:
*On Christmas Eve, New Horizon Academy closes at 3:00 p.m.
*If one of these holidays falls on a weekend, it will be observed on either Friday or Monday.
*Our school will remain open during inclement weather to ensure children still have access to quality childcare.
Our Elk River school offers both full-time and part-time schedules to accommodate the different needs of our families.
Please contact our school director for current childcare openings and availability.
Yes! At New Horizon Academy Elk River, we have an on-site cook trained in nutrition, USDA guidelines, and proper portions for young children. Our school provides nutritious and nourishing meals every day including breakfast, lunch, and snack. All meals are included in the cost of tuition.
If your child has a special nutritional need, a food allergy, or requires adaptation to our menu, please alert our school director, and we will partner with your family to create a suitable meal plan.
At New Horizon Academy Elk River, we follow Minnesota state guidelines for licensed daycare staff-to-child ratios:
According to our 2024 Family Survey results, 97% of families in Elk River recommend New Horizon Academy.
An investment in a New Horizon Academy education is an investment in your child’s future. Families trust New Horizon Academy to set their children up for success. Here are a few reasons why:
From a single preschool classroom in 1971 to 100 schools today, much has changed for New Horizon Academy, but our commitment to children, families, teachers, and our communities remains the same.
One hundred percent of our eligible schools are accredited by NAEYC, the gold standard in early childhood accreditation. This is an accomplishment no other childcare provider of our size has achieved.
We hire teachers with experience, give them the training and support they need to succeed, pay them above market average, and help them achieve their goals. This results in stable, consistent care for your child.
Our state-of-the-art schools provide children with thoughtfully designed classrooms, playgrounds, and learning tools. We regularly update our schools to ensure they reflect our high standards for safety, quality, and care.
Your child’s safety and well-being always come first. Our childcare centers create caring, secure environments focused on supporting each child’s health and happiness. You can feel confident that your child is in good hands.
Our research-based curriculum offers engaging, hands-on activities in STEAM, language and literacy, social-emotional learning, physical development, and more to support kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning.
As an organization, we strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive culture where all children, families, and staff feel a sense of belonging. We approach our relationships with curiosity, compassion, and respect.
A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack are prepared fresh each day by our school chef, with menus developed by our nutrition specialist to ensure every meal is balanced. All meals are included in the cost of tuition!
Our mobile app keeps parents connected with daily updates, allowing teachers to share information, send messages, and delight you with photos and videos from your child’s day, so you never miss a moment.
Families are always welcome to come in for visits, participate in activities, and join us for family fun events. We love having parents involved in their child’s learning and value every opportunity to build a strong community.
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