St. Charles Children's Center

What makes St. Charles Children’s Center the right choice for families?

Quality Daycare/Preschool

Sunshine Learning Center Preschool has been a part of the St. Charles Community since 1987 and Bulldog Kids Care has been located in St. Charles for over 20 years. The longevity of these two programs is a testimony to the quality of education and care they provide for children. The current staff at Sunshine Learning Center has 44 combined years of working experience with young children and has been teaching as a team at SLC for 17 years. SLC as well as St. Charles Elementary School has become a home to them and they welcome families into a safe nurturing community that strives to make the “first school” experience an easy transition for children and families.

Location, Location, Location

SLC and BKC are part of the St. Charles School District and both are conveniently located inside St. Charles Elementary School. Over the years our programs have welcomed children from as far away as Freeland and New Lothrup. We strive to serve families according to their needs. For some we are on the way or close to work or day care which makes our program(s) a good fit. Those looking for convenient child care with a preschool close by will appreciate that we are housed in the same building. Plus with dual enrollment in both programs you receive a 10% discount on already affordable child care at Bulldog Kids Care.

Familiar Faces

Sunshine Learning Center and Bulldog Kids Care have the advantage to share staff members because both programs are housed in St. Charles Elementary School and share teaching philosophies as well as curriculum ideals. SLC is able to utilize staff from BKC if a substitute is ever needed. This is beneficial for the children because they receive qualified teaching staff that are familiar with our classroom routine, the school and staff. In addition BKC staff members have familiar faces and make the transition of a “substitute” teacher a less invasive change for the children.

Transportation May Be An Option

St. Charles Children’s Center is unique in the offering of bus transportation for our students 3 years of age or older. Certain restrictions do apply. Ask us about it.

Getting Children Ready For The Next Step

Sunshine Learning Center offers a program to assist children in preparation for kindergarten. We provide a classroom environment with activities that support each child’s learning style. Our staff communicates with kindergarten teachers and the staff at Bulldog Kids Care so everyone is focused on best practices to enhance children’s education with the end goal of social and academic success for all students. SLC follows current curriculum such as Common Core, are a part of the Leader in Me Community within St. Charles Elementary School and follow district and state requirements. In addition children that will attend kindergarten in the fall after attending SLC are assessed two times during the school year. While we believe that assessment is important, it does not overshadow the time that staff spends with your child in hands-on delivery of curriculum. Many federally funded programs are required to assess so often, and in such depth, that it takes away from the natural flow of play-based instruction.

We at Sunshine Learning Center and Bulldog Kids Care hope you will consider us when making a choice for a safe, fun, close to home preschool and child care experience for your little one.
If you have any questions please call: 989-865-9210 (Sunshine Learning Center)
989-865-7961 (Bulldog Kids Care)
Renee Thornton
Director, Sunshine Learning Center
Christy Sheldon
Director, Bulldog Kids Care


Sunshine Learning Center Philosophy

We believe that all children deserve to be recognized as unique individuals who each have gifts and talents and that they learn in a variety of ways. Young children need an early childhood program that provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Respecting the needs of each family, we aim to work together with parents to lead the child to a wholesome self-esteem and a desire to wonder and question the world around him/her.
ne Learning Center Philosophy.