Our Mission

and Core Values

Little Beginnings Learning Center is a Christian center dedicated to developing deep roots in appreciation for the nature around us, family togetherness, individual discoveries, and rich hands-on learning experiences.

Faith Based

We express our faith through relationships.  We believe in creating a safe space, demonstrating consistent Biblical values, and offering prayer and grace in each person’s life.

Nature Based

We empower children to learn and move in nature.  We believe in using nature to foster imagination, cultivate resilience, and feel grounded in the world God made.

Community Based

We create a community where all belong.  We believe in fostering a legacy of family connection, supporting each other through good and bad times, and growing relationships with community partners.

BIG futures

Little Beginnings Learning Center is a Christian childcare facility and has provided quality child care in Hastings, MN, since 1999. Our caring staff is certified according to the state of Minnesota and have experience related to child development. Little Beginnings is a licensed facility based out of our facility located three miles north of Hastings and about three miles south of Cottage Grove.

Making a difference

Little Beginnings rests on 2.5 acres nestled into a hill, next to a beautiful wooded space. The current facility was created in 2017 and has a warm and inviting feeling of home.

Inside our facility, Little Beginnings has wide open hallways and a warm atmosphere to create an inviting space to learn and create. The infant and toddler wing offers care for children from 6 weeks to 33 months. Our preschool wing has opportunities for children from 3 to 5 years of age. Our school-age program boasts small class sizes and personalized attention during the summer months.

Our Backyard provides a rich and nurturing experience for children of all ages. Instead of a typical playground, we offer different areas of exploration in our outdoor classroom. Children are encouraged to experience nature and learning with a hands-on approach. They are taught how to experience their world while getting dirty and having fun safely.

Taking Risks

Little Beginnings Learning Center supports children in taking small risks and allowing them to do so in a safe environment with experienced staff.  Our center teachers will provide children with the knowledge they need to support them while participating in new activities.  Our center is fully insured, and all activities have a full risk assessment in place.

Our aim is to ensure that children are kept safe while creating an exciting and hugely beneficial learning experience. Call to being your child’s journey today!

Our Owners

Little Beginnings family begins with the owners and operators, Jen and Wade Gelhar.  They have been working together to create a strong program for children to grow and flourish.

Before opening Little Beginnings in 1999, Jen has worked as a preschool teacher and as a director at other centers, bringing more than thirty years of experience to the program.  She is directly involved in running the day to day operations.  She believes in hiring excellent staff, which will foster the natural curiosity and wonderment of the children in our care.

Wade began his work with Little Beginnings helping behind the scenes while continuing his career in management but joined the team as the Director of Operations and resident handyman in 2017.  Besides building spreadsheets and many DIY items, his love of photography has brought our marketing and media to another level.