Our infant program for children 12 months to 2 years old provides a calm, nurturing environment where your baby can grow, explore, and be cared for with individualized attention.

❤️ Responsive, On-Demand Care: Babies lead the way in their classroom with individualized feeding and sleeping schedules, plenty of holding, cuddling, and one-on-one interaction.

☮️ Peaceful, Purposeful Spaces: Separate play and nap rooms create a serene atmosphere that supports relaxed rest and meaningful play.

🎶Early Learning Through Connection: Our loving staff build strong relationships with each infant while introducing colors, numbers, shapes, songs, and early literacy experiences.

Our preschool program for 2-4 year olds turns natural curiosity into purposeful, playful learning that builds independence, confidence, and readiness for preschool.

🧩 Learning Through Play: Each day includes fun, skill-building activities—arts & crafts, stories, songs, dancing, gym time, and hands-on exploration—that support social growth and independence.

🚽 Potty-Training Pros: Our 2–3-year-olds follow a more structured routine with LOTS of potty-training support. We partner closely with families, and children must be fully trained by age three.

✏️ Early Academic Readiness: Teachers adapt activities to each child’s stage while building fine-motor skills and introducing early ABCs and 123s to prepare them for “big-kid” preschool learning.

Our Pre-K program for 4-6 year olds builds strong kindergarten readiness by nurturing confidence, independence, and essential academic and social skills.

🧠 Problem-Solving & Independence: Children take part in activities that encourage critical thinking, responsibility, and self-confidence, preparing them to be lifelong learners.

🤝 Social & Emotional Growth: Daily interactions help children practice friendship skills, cooperation, empathy, and classroom harmony.

⭐ Kindergarten-Ready Skills: Classroom jobs teach responsibility, and engaging lessons build early academics, routines, and independence. (Children must be fully potty trained for Pre-K.)

Hello! My name is Kim, and I am a proud wife and mom to two amazing young ladies. I also have 3 wonderful dogs. I am the founder of Little Willows Learning Academy, where I combine my passion for early childhood education with 24 years of experience.

My journey began when a disappointing childcare experience with my oldest daughter inspired me to create something better. While pregnant with my second daughter, I started planning a program where children could learn, grow, and feel genuinely cared for. Shortly after her birth, I left my corporate childcare job and opened Little Willows Learning Academy on April 18, 2011.

What began as a vision for my own children has grown into a warm, nature-based learning community for families across the area. At Little Willows, children are encouraged to explore, imagine, and discover every day in an environment that feels like home.

I hold an Early Childhood Education Certificate from Ashworth College, a B.A. in Human Relations from Ottawa University, and certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Kansas CNA. I am also a license cosmetologist. With eight years of classroom experience at La Petite Academy, Children’s World, and KinderCare, and a love for gardening, family history research, and volunteering at KC Pet Project, I am committed to creating a nurturing, engaging space where children can truly thrive.