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Circle Pines

Create. Laugh. Learn.

Kaelyn, Director of Circle Pines Campus

Welcome to the Especially for Children Circle Pines Child Development Center. We serve families with children ranging from six weeks old up to five 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 teaching staff, and 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.

 

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Hours and Map
ADDRESS:

2 H South Pine Dr.
Circle Pines, MN 55014

 

HOURS:

6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., M-F

Meet Our Teaching Staff

Director

Kaelyn, Director of Circle Pines Campus
Kaelyn

Hi, my name is Kaelyn! I began my journey with EFC as a teacher’s aide in 2013 at the Eden Prairie location, and then moved to my past role as Assistant Director at Especially for Children-Edinborough in 2025, to now being the School Director here at Circle Pines! I was blessed to discover my passion for educating the youngest learners and continued to teach (assistant teacher, teacher) through my schooling. I graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in child, adult, and family services. I am thankful to play a role in the development of young children! In my free time, I love spending time with friends and family, traveling, attending concerts, and reading as many books as possible!

 

Infant Teaching Staff

Toddler Teaching Staff


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.

 

Preschool/Pre-K Teaching Staff


Sharon

Hello, my name is Sharon. I began working at Especially for Children in February 2024. I am a high school graduate and I love spending time with children. I love working with children because all the smiles and hugs all day long! Being with children brings me joy! In my spare time, I enjoy taking walks, doing jigsaw puzzles and quilting.

 


Antionette

My name is Ms. Antionette, but the children call me Ms. Toni. I have worked with children and students across various age groups, with a particular passion for early childhood. I am especially drawn to working with preschool age children, and I find great joy in engaging with them, introducing new concepts, and witnessing their growth as they begin to understand the world around them! Lastly, I have been working in childcare for 18 years now and am so excited to be a part of the EFC family!

 


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.

 

Float Teaching Staff


Romy

Hello Families, my name is Romy. This is my first time working in childcare. I am currently attending Centennial High School, and I will graduate next year. Outside of work, I enjoy painting, being in nature, staying active, or hanging out with my friends. I look forward to making EFC a positive environment for everyone and working closely with you and your family supporting watching child’s confidence, curiosity, and love of learning.

 


Linnea

Hi! My name is Linnea. I have previously worked at EFC From 2022-2024 and I am so excited to be back in the classroom! I have experience with children birth through high school classes, acquiring my CDA, and lead teacher/ nanny experiences. I am currently attending college for nursing with the goal of being a pediatric nurse. Outside of caring for children, I love hiking, paddleboarding, spending time with friends and family, and snuggling with my cat named comet. My favorite snacks are snickers and strawberry ice cream! I look forward to welcoming you to our EFC family.

 


Nina

Hello, my name is Nina and I just recently graduated. I would love to go back and take college classes to be a BSN Nurse for OBGYN. My favorite holiday is Christmas, because I love gift giving and I love to go shopping to buy clothes. Ms. Nina looks forward to working closely with your family and supporting each child’s confidence, curiosity, and love of learning.

 


Grace

Hello, my name is Grace and I use to work at EFC in 2023-2024, I am so excited to be back! I love seeing children learn new things and grow! In my free time I enjoy playing soccer, hang out with my pets, and play board games. I’m so thrilled to see what the future holds for us here at EFC.

 


Sydney

My name is Sydney, and I have been working in childcare since 2022 and am currently pursuing a degree in elementary education and special education and planning to graduate in May 2028!

 

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Parent Blog

EFC Circle Pines: March Newsletter Photos

Circle Pines Parent Stories

  • Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our daughter. Starting as an infant, your staff has been so responsive to our needs and most importantly, to her needs. We have been so very happy with Especially for Children.

    John and Heather

  • I just wanted to send an enormous heart-felt ‘Thank you’ for taking such spectacular care of our kiddos. Your passion and patience everyday with teaching them not only reading, writing, and math, but also kindness, manners and discipline are so much more than my husband and I could’ve asked for. Our little ones truly feel like they are part of “another family” at school and, it’s because you’ve made them feel so safe and so special. We thank you so much for each and every day you’ve spent filling their little minds with knowledge and re-enforcing values. We are simply blessed to have such a phenomenal place for them to grow. Linda, our kiddos and your staff are so lucky to have you. We will never be able to thank you enough for what you and your team have given our family.

    Tanya

  • Linda, You and your staff have played incredible roles in our lives. Jim and I have been able to go about our work lives confident that our children were receiving high quality care. Matt and Becca have felt loved, challenged, important, special and happy. You’ve helped them to thrive, and I know the foundation you’ve help them to build will serve them well all their lives! As I have told you many times, we are very pleased with the positive, educational environment that you have created and continued to maintain for our boys and the other children at EFC. We always know they are safe and nurtured, challenged and motivated to do their best, entertained and inspired to use their creativity. I look forward to coming every night to get them to see what adventures they had that day.

    Circle Pines Parent

  • As an educator, I am very aware of the need to meet the social, physical and educational needs of young children. The Circle Pines EFC works very hard to create the needed balance of all three areas. My son participated in developmentally appropriate social and academic areas. I believe the teachers work very hard to meet the individual needs of all the children.

    Jen