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Coon Rapids

Create. Laugh. Learn.

Lisa Ward
School Director
EFC Coon Rapids

Welcome to Especially for Children’s Coon Rapids Child Development Center. We serve infant through preschool age children in a caring and educational environment. A warm and friendly teaching staff is here to provide support for your child as well as engage him in learning activities that foster all areas of development.

 

Through the play-based Creative Curriculum®, your child will experience wonderful opportunities to grow socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally, and will prepare for entering kindergarten. Find out more about the Learning Curriculum and Developmental Goals here. Throughout the year we invite families to connect with one another at fun-filled events including the Mother’s Day Breakfast, Ice Cream Social, Holiday Concert and Halloween Party.

 

We have been serving families in the Coon Rapids area since 1995 in the quiet Evergreen Business Park behind the YMCA, just blocks away from Springbrook Nature Center. We invite you to visit the Especially for Children Coon Rapids School to see for yourself what a positive learning environment this can be for your child and family.

 

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Hours and Map
ADDRESS:

8885 Evergreen Blvd
Coon Rapids, MN 55433

 

Hours:

6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., M-F

Meet Our Teaching Staff

Director


Lisa

Hi, my name is Lisa Ward, and I am the Director at Especially for Children Coon Rapids. I started with EFC in December 2015. I have my degree in Early Childhood and have been in the field since 1986, working as a director since 1991. In my spare time, I enjoy time at the cabin, gardening and exploring the state on the motorcycle. I love getting to know the children and their families that entrust their most valuable possessions to my amazing team of teachers and me.

 

Infant Teaching Staff


Keesha

My name is Keesha Young. I’ve worked with children since 2017. I love going on vacation, relaxing in the sun and spending quality time with my family.

 


Brenda

Hello, my name is Brenda, and I work in the infant room. I studied Child Development at Anoka Hennepin Technical College. I have been apart of the EFC team since 2001. I enjoy watching each child learn and the excitement they get from each new experience. I enjoy walking outside and supporting Minnesota sports teams.

 


Ebere

Hi, my name is Ms. Ebere. I am a mum, wife, daughter, and sister. I have three amazing boys, Joshua 12, Jason 10, and Jayden is 7. I live in Coon Rapids. I am currently studying for my Master’s degree in Child & Family Studies and licensure in Parent Education from St. Cloud State University. I love children and enjoy teaching young children.

 


Sharon

I was born and raised in South Minneapolis and relocated to Coon Rapids 20 years ago. I retired from Xcel Energy, where I worked in the Corporate Compliance and Business Ethics Department and was also a Contracts Specialist. I became bored with retirement and took a position as Nursery Supervisor at Faith Lutheran. I started working at EFC in January of 2015. I am very much enjoying my second career in childcare. I love to read and do scrapbooking. My real passion is my grand daughter, who is now a senior at Blaine High School and is on the Varsity Dance Team – Go Bengals!

 


Anissa

Hello! My name is Anissa. I have 3 wonderful children. 2 of them go to school and my youngest one is here at the center. In our free time we love to be outside whenever possible. We love swimming, going to parks, going on walks. In the winter, we enjoy going to museums and indoor playgrounds.

I have been in childcare for almost 6 years! I’ve worked with all ages. I love being a teacher. I enjoy watching each child develop, learn and grow. I love being a part of watching them hit milestones and celebrating those milestones with them. Being an early childhood teacher is such a rewarding experience.

I can’t wait to get to know you and your children!

 


Maddy

Hi! I am Maddy. I’ve been working with kids for as long as I can remember–from Babysitting to working in centers. I am currently a student at Anoka Ramsey Community College studying Psychology. I am excited to work with your children.

 

Toddler Teaching Staff


Dacota

Hello! My name is Dacota. I am a toddler teacher here at Especially for Children. I have my bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and American Indigenous Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. I love working with children and helping them learn about the world and community we live in. In my free time I love reading, quilting and playing with my 6 crazy pets , two cats and four ferrets.

 

Preschool/Pre-K Teaching Staff


Brittany W.

Hello, my name is Brittany and I am originally from California! I am currently at the UMN pursuing my Bachelors in Biology, with intentions of medical school. I worked in Pediatrics and Labor & Deliver for 5 years as an EMT, so I have been working with children for a long time. I can’t wait to get to know you and your children!

 


Mackenzie

Hi my name is Mackenzie and I work in the preschool room! I have my bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Mathematics from Augsburg University and I’ll be starting my PhD program in Educational Psychology this coming fall. I love working with children and I’m excited to help our little friends learn and grow! In my free time I love to cook, bake, go for walks, and hang out with my cat Otis.

 


Hala

Hi my name is Hala. I have about 20 years of hands-on experience in early childcare, including working in pre-schools and as the director of a center. In my roles I have developed emergent curriculum to help children reach their fullest potential, while fostering a safe and loving environment for children. I love watching the new skills kids learn throughout the year and the bond we form along the way. I truly have a passion for childcare and giving kids a nurturing environment to play learn. When I’m not working with kids I’m spoiling my own grandkids!

 


Susan

Hello, my name is Susan. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Cloud State University. I have taught preschool and toddlers in the past and have also run an in-home childcare. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to teach pre-kindergarten and EFC! I have 2 children of my own who are also enrolled at EFC. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and crafting.

 


Linda

Hello, my name is Linda, and I’m a PreK teacher. I began my teaching career in 2016. I love watching our kids learn new things and share their big imaginations. For me, working in a school is not just a job, it’s something I love to do. Children are our future. I’m currently following my second passion and attending beauty school. I’m so excited to be able to still teach and be able to get into the beauty industry–the best of both worlds! I got married to the love of my life in 2021 . In my free time, I enjoy going fishing and riding the four wheelers with my husband and trying new restaurants. My hobbies are dancing, painting, planting and doing makeup.

 

Float Staff


Sue

Hello, I am Susan (Sue) I attended North Suburban Hennepin Technical Center for Child Development in 1977. I married in 1979, raised 4 daughters in Oak Grove on 7 acres. I continue to enjoy maintaining our property, caring for one of our daughter’s 2 horses, our 2 small dogs and 1 cat. I worked in St. Francis ISD 15 from 1989-1991 in various positions, ranging from the summer Kids Connection, Title I math/reading program to office professional – attendance/ enrollment. I retired in April 2019. I missed working with small children here at EFC and am so pleased to be working once again in the field I started in. I have a deep passion for children, their growth and learning. Life is grand.

 


Lisa K.

Hi my name is Lisa K. I have been working with children for 25+ years. I have an early childhood education. I enjoy working with all ages. I have three children of my own. I live in Andover.

 


Simone

Hi, my name is Simone and I studied Music Education at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, and love finding different ways to use music in the classroom! I’m very excited to work in our toddlers room, and grow with them!

 

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Coon Rapids Parent Stories

  • We have been fortunate to be part of the Coon Rapids Especially for Children family for over 4 years. Our oldest son began in the infant room four years ago and is now in his last year of preschool at EFC. My younger son also began in the infant room and is now a toddler. My husband and I are continuously thankful that we found such a safe and nurturing environment for our young boys. Our children look forward to going to school every day and often don’t want to leave. The activities and curriculum provided for our children are engaging, age appropriate, and focused on lifelong skills, such as nutrition. The biggest advantage to EFC compared to other centers we visited is the quality of the staff. All of the staff at this center truly cares about our children and our family. Our boys talk lovingly about their teachers all of the time. We would not hesitate to recommend the Coon Rapids EFC center to anyone.

    Amy D.

  • I am the mother of two girls who previously attended EFC Coon Rapids. I have nothing but good things to say about it. My girls are very shy, and take extra encouragement when it comes to being away from me as well as making new friends, and the teachers at EFC helped them in every way possible to do so. They were very loving and caring. The girls also learned so much while they were there, they did so many activities (like walking to the nature center down the street.) My oldest daughter made her first friend at EFC. Unfortunately, because we moved over 20 miles away, we had to leave the center. The teachers in my kids’ classrooms made them goodbye cards, and we still get emails from the center inviting us to events and have always been welcome to stop in and visit. EFC is by far the best child care center I have ever seen (and that’s coming from someone who previously worked in childcare themselves!) They helped my oldest grow into a more social child, and they helped my youngest gain positive childcare experiences (she started when she was just a baby.) I am very grateful for EFC and all the teachers there, and we miss the center very much!

    Brittany D.

  • The field trips…to the local nature center and Creative Movement and Music programs have been wonderful for my child. My child LOVES art and I am convinced that is because of the wonderful stimulation he receives at school.

    Kari