Pathways To Play Early Learning Center

As we pack up our lives and head to Nebraska today—our very last day at SWLC—I can't help but sit here with tears in my eyes and a heart full of gratitude. We enrolled our daughter in the older toddler class back in 2024, and what started as a simple necessity turned into the most magical chapter of her little life. SWLC isn't just a daycare; it's a nurturing haven that turned strangers into soulmates and challenges into triumphs. If you're looking for a place where your child will flourish, laugh, learn, and be loved fiercely, look no further—this is it! From day one, my daughter dove headfirst into the joy of SWLC. She picked up new skills like a sponge—counting, sharing, even those adorable preschool songs that still echo through our home. Socially, she blossomed overnight, forming the sweetest bonds with her new friends. Watching her light up with excitement each morning, waving goodbye with a confident grin? Pure parental bliss! Of course, with toddlers, there are those inevitable bumps— a bite here, a hit there—but SWLC handled every single one with such grace and professionalism that it left me in awe. Whenever my little one was involved, the communication was immediate, empathetic, and thorough. They'd walk me through what happened, what they did to support her (and the other child), and how they'd prevent it moving forward. No defensiveness, just genuine care and a commitment to making things right. It gave me total peace of mind, knowing my baby was in hands that truly prioritized her well-being. But let's talk about the teachers and staff—oh, my word, they are absolute superstars! These incredible women (and men!) don't just teach; they pour their hearts into every hug, every storytime, every scraped-knee band-aid moment. They see the whole child—the curious explorer, the budding artist, the sometimes-sassy toddler—and treat her with the dignity and respect every human deserves. We arrived in this new state (MN) without a single support system, feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed. SWLC changed that overnight. The staff didn't just watch our daughter; they became our second family, cheering her milestones, offering parenting tips over coffee chats, and wrapping us in a community we didn't know we needed so badly. And today? Our farewell? It was nothing short of a love letter to our girl. Nearly the entire staff rallied around her—special crafts, extra cuddles, a goodbye circle full of songs and well-wishes. She skipped out the door beaming, clutching a handmade card signed by everyone. How do you even thank people who make a "last day" feel like the best day ever? SWLC, you've etched yourselves into our story forever. You've taught my daughter kindness, resilience, and the joy of connection, all while reminding this mama that she's not alone. We're heartbroken to go, but over-the-moon grateful for every second. If you're a parent on the fence, run—don't walk—to SWLC. Your child will thank you, and so will your whole family. Five stars aren't enough; this place deserves a constellation! ❤️

This is our daycare for our 7 month old since early September. We really like the staff and their style. We get picture and text updates throughout the day so we know what's going on. The rate is very affordable and the building is very easy to get in and out of. It's a secure building so you need to make an appt to get in unless you have kids that go there. Highly recommend.

My girls love going to this center! My oldest has learned quiet a bit going from older infants up to now up to older preschool and now my youngest is going to be 6 months soon and has been going since 7 weeks. My oldest loves the amount of space they have not oomph in their classroom but there outdoor playground and indoor gym. She also loves the activities they get to do as well

We just started our infant at SMLC this spring and could not be happier with the quality of the staff and the genuine care they have for the kids! The facility is also great with both an outdoor playground and a large indoor gym. Also, (aside from the infant room) they only make you pay for the number of days you schedule your child to be there; if you only need care one day a week, you pay for one day a week. I have a friend in early childhood services who says she often recommends SMLC to families because "They actually care about making families' lives easier." Love it here!

I was scared to send my kids off to daycare because I'd been a stay at home mom to my two youngest their whole lives. I have 3 kids who attend Small World in 3 different age programs. My school-age child enjoyed the summer program while school was out of session and she really liked her teacher. My preschool aged child is learning to be more sociable and never wants to leave when it's time to pick her up. My toddler always smiles when he sees his teachers, he's not a big talker but they taught him some baby sign language that he uses all the time. All of the staff knew my kids name's by the end of their first week, not just their direct teachers but teachers from different classrooms too!, and I thought that was awesome and helped me feel more comfortable. It feels very personable and kid-centered, we enjoy it a lot.