Circle Pines

Create. Laugh. Learn.

Linda Burck
Bridget Doyle
School Directors
EFC Circle Pines

Welcome to the Especially for Children Circle Pines Child Development Center. We serve families with children ranging from six weeks old up to ten years old. At Especially for Children, your child will experience a caring, educational and developmentally appropriate learning environment. Read more about our play-based curriculum here. Our location, just off of Lake Drive, provides convenient access for families in Circle Pines, Blaine and Lexington.

We have a well-rounded staff, with six staff having a total of over 100 years working for the company! The physical spaces at our school promote learning and growth in children. The children also love to spend time outside on the playground. They spend many enjoyable hours under the shade of the oak trees. Please feel free to stop by for a visit. We would love to get to know you and your family.

Hours and Map

ADDRESS:

2 H South Pine Dr.
Circle Pines, MN 55014

HOURS:

6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., M-F
Schedule a Visit

Meet Our Teaching Staff

Director

Linda Center Director of EFC Circle Pines
Linda

Hi, my name is Linda and I have been the director at our center in Circle Pines since 1995. I truly enjoy coming to work each day to all the smiling young faces. I love working with families and watching children grow and learn new things. I have had the pleasure of seeing many children grow up here and become outstanding young people – some of the children we taught in preschool now bring their children to our school! Outside of work, I enjoy running, biking, skiing and lifting weights.

Bridget

My name is Bridget, and I joined EFC in 2022. With more than ten years of experience teaching early childhood through sixth grade, I am extremely excited to begin a new chapter in my life as the co-director at Especially for Children. I am extremely passionate about the importance of a strong educational foundation starting early on, in order to pave the way for life long success. I also enjoy painting and creating art through various multimedia formats. I am extremely close with my family and love spending time with them. As a lifelong learner myself, I look forward to growing professionally and personally as I embark on this new journey!

Infant Teaching Staff

Hailey

Hello! My name is Hailey. I began working at Especially for Children in December 2022. I am currently attending Anoka Ramsey Community College working on my degree in Social Work. My experience with children includes working at a Montessori school for 2 years and having 16 nieces and nephews! I love watching the children grow and watching their personalities develop over time. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time doing activities with my son.

Trista

Hello! My name is Trista. I began working at Especially for Children in September 2022. I have my Associates Degree in American Sign Language from St. Paul Technical College. My experience with children includes having a licensed home childcare and many years as a special education para. I love working with children because I am a kid at heart and I love that I get to play and interact with children all day. In my spare time, I enjoy walking and spending time with my family.

Jenni

Hello, my name is Jenni. I began working at Especially for Children in July 2019. I have an Associates degree from Century College in Interior Design. I have had experience with children through babysitting and volunteering with the Girl Scouts.
I enjoy working with the children because I love watching them grow and learn new skills. In my spare time, I enjoy drawing and spending time with friends and family.

Kim

Hello! My name is Kim. I began working at Especially for Children in May 2022. I have an associate’s degree from Rasmussen College in Early Childhood Education. I have 20+ years of experience working in childcare centers. I have worked with all age groups, most recently with infants and toddlers. I love working with children because I love watching them learn new skills and grow. In my spare time, I enjoy going on walks, playing Bingo and spending time with friends and family.

Toddler Teaching Staff

Linnea

Hello! My name is Linnea. I began working at Especially for Children in October 2022. I am currently working on my Child Development Associates Degree. My experience with children includes working with children in high school through the early childhood education as well as babysitting. I love working with children because I love how fun and silly they can be. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, drawing, painting, and spending time with my family.

Kayla F

Hello, my name is Kayla F. I began working at EFC in December 2021. I have a bachelor’s degree from St. Could State in Special Education and Community Psychology. I have had experiences working in the elementary schools, working with all ages with disabilities and I also worked at EFC back in 2009 and 2011! I love working with children and watching them learn and grow each day! In my spare time, I like to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Cathy

Hi, my name is Cathy. I have been at Especially for Children’s Circle Pines center since 1996. I enjoy working with children as they grow and develop from an infant to a kindergartener. I completed my Child Development Associate degree with an emphasis on infants and toddlers. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family.

Shelly

I have been working with all age groups of kids since 2015, I started out my career at another center and joined EFC in August 2019. I enjoy every moment of working with kids, they are so bright and eager to learn at this age, they are always coming up with new things and the creativity of their minds is amazing! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family & friends. I also like to do puzzles and challenge myself everyday by trying new things. I am also the crazy cat lady and have a calico cat who is our pride and joy.

Preschool/Pre-K Teaching Staff

Macy

Hello! My name is Macy. I began working at Especially for Children in September 2022. I am a high school graduate and looking to start a Child Development Associates degree. My experience with children includes working with children in high school through the early childhood education program, teaching Sunday school at church, and babysitting. I love working with children because of all the smiles and hugs all day long! In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with family and friends.

Rebecca

Hello! My name is Rebecca. I began working at Especially for Children in October 2022. I am currently working on my Child Development Associates Degree. My experience with children includes working in other centers for three years. I love working with children because I love the way they think and enjoy learning. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and baking.

Brooke

Hello! My name is Brooke. I began working at Especially for Children in May 2022. I have my degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota, Crookston. My experience with children includes working at another childcare cent er and student teaching.

I love working with children because every day brings something new, and I love the joy and silliness the children bring to each day. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

Kathy

I am Kathy B. and have been a teacher at EFC since 1980! My favorite thing is to watch children learn to read. They feel such a sense of accomplishment. Each day provides unlimited opportunities to capture a child’s sense of wonder and imagination. Outside of work, I like to spend time at the lake with my husband where we enjoy boating, fishing, biking and relaxing. I also enjoy participating in 5ks with my husband, Dean.

Kris

Hi, my name is Kris. I began working at Especially for Children in 1994. I have experience working in childcare since 1987 and was a director at EFC Coon Rapids and EFC Circle Pines before I transitioned back into teaching. I studied Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota. My favorite thing about children is their curiosity to learn new things and watching their excitement as they develop new skills. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, baking, sewing and scrapbooking.

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