When Minnesota Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Bobbie Burnham visited Kasson-Mantorville Schools recently, she saw more than classrooms, hallways, and child care spaces. She saw a community investing in its youngest learners.
Burnham’s visit highlighted the strength and innovation of Kasson-Mantorville Project Kids and Project Beginnings, programs that have become a cornerstone of Kasson-Mantorville Community Education. During her time on campus, Burnham was impressed by the district’s commitment to supporting children and families through a connected, comprehensive model that serves children from infancy through school age.
Located directly on the Kasson-Mantorville school campus and connected to the elementary school, Project Kids offers families a true “one-stop shop” experience. The program serves children as young as 6 weeks old through the summer before sixth grade, providing infant care, toddler care, preschool, and school-age programming in one convenient and familiar location.
For many families, Project Kids is their very first introduction to Kasson-Mantorville Schools, said Superintendent Giese.
From the beginning, children are welcomed into a safe, caring, and engaging environment where they can build confidence, develop friendships, and grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Staff members focus on helping children feel supported and valued while encouraging curiosity, independence, respect for others, and a love of learning.
What began as Kasson-Mantorville’s original school-age child care program has grown steadily in response to the needs of local families. Project Kids first supported families with before- and after-school care, as well as summer programming. In 2014, the district expanded to include preschool child care. Then, after a community child care needs assessment showed a significant need for infant and toddler care, Project Beginnings opened in 2020.
Community demand continued to grow, and in 2024, the district completed an additional infant and toddler expansion to increase available child care spaces for area families.
Today, Project Beginnings is licensed to serve 16 infants and 35 toddlers. Preschool programming averages approximately 70 to 80 children each year, while the Project Kids school-age program typically serves 150 to 200 students throughout the school year and summer months.
During Burnham’s visit, the scale of the program was only part of the story. The true impact could be seen in the relationships between staff and children, the thoughtful programming, and the district’s commitment to meeting families where they are.
Children take part in a wide variety of enriching experiences, including arts and crafts, dramatic play, sports, outdoor exploration, community experiences, recreational activities, field trips, and hands-on learning opportunities. These experiences are designed not only to keep children active and engaged, but also to help them develop important skills that prepare them for school and life.
One of the most unique features of the program is its connection to the broader school district. Because Project Kids and Project Beginnings are located on campus, young children become comfortable in the school environment long before kindergarten. Families also build relationships with school staff and become connected to district resources early in their child’s development.
The program also creates meaningful opportunities for Kasson-Mantorville High School students. Many high school students work with Project Kids before and after their own school day and on non-school days. Their support plays a vital role in the success of the program.
For some students, the experience becomes much more than a part-time job. Through child development coursework, work-study opportunities, and internships, high school students gain hands-on experience working with children. Many discover a passion for education and child development, pursue related college degrees, and later return to the district or enter the teaching profession.
That full-circle impact is part of what makes the Kasson-Mantorville model so special.
Kasson-Mantorville Community Education is built around meeting the evolving needs of families and creating positive experiences for community members of all ages. Project Kids and Project Beginnings reflect that mission in action by providing high-quality early childhood programming, supporting working families, strengthening school-community connections, and helping children thrive from their earliest years forward.
Burnham’s visit served as a meaningful recognition of the work happening every day in Kasson-Mantorville. Her positive response affirmed what many local families already know: Project Kids and Project Beginnings are more than child care programs.
Families interested in learning more about Project Kids and Kasson-Mantorville Community Education can contact the Community Education Department. Families may also visit kmchildcare.com, a child care accessibility website launched in 2020 to help connect families in the Kasson-Mantorville area with available child care options. Local providers can post current openings, and families searching for care can submit an online inquiry form to receive information about providers with openings that match their needs
