Welcome to Apple Tree Learning Centers

The future of our world will be molded by our children of today

At Apple Tree learning is fun so it's fun to learn

creative curriculum enhances the learning experience

Voted Local Best for 13 years

We don't like to toot our own horn but wouldn't you?

Contact us Today

Apple Tree Learning Centers....We're not home but we're close

The Apple Tree Family

Preparing children today for adventures tomorrow.

Infants

The first thing you’ll notice in our infant rooms are the friendly staff and clean environment.

Pre-Toddlers

Our lesson plans are designed to give these high-energy little ones non-stop fun activities.

Toddlers

These curious young minds require lots of challenge and stimulation as well as some fun.

Pre-School

You can rest assured when you leave your little one with us they will get the best possible care.

School Age

Our School Age program is more than managed play. Kids get to let off steam but they continue to learn.

Summer Program

The goal of Apple Tree Children’s Centers is a research based, age appropriate educational experience.

At three years of age, the child has already laid the foundations of the human personality and needs the special help of education in the school. The acquisitions he has made are such that we can say the child who enters school at three is an old man. ~Maria Montessori

Learn more about our Programs

Discover our Pre-School

It is the goal of Apple Tree Children’s Centers to provide a research based, age appropriate educational experience for all Apple Tree Children. Curriculum planning is completely transparent. Please direct any and all questions to the staff and/or management of the center you attend.

What Parents say

Apple Tree is more than a daycare for our son Jake, it is a second home. Every morning we arrive, the first thing he does is run to his caregiver to get swooped up for a good morning hug. It feels good to know that we can go to work with confidence knowing that he is in a caring, safe, educational and very fun environment. That peace of mind is priceless! We're also very excited for our new daughter, Tova, to start in the nursery very soon!

The Burns Family

"We love AppleTree Valhalla. My children have attended the center for the past 6 years and love it. The teachers are so wonderful, caring and nurturing. So many great memories. The whole staff is like family."

The Chan Family

Apple Tree is our home away from home. We never believed a daycare center could provide the kind of love and nurturing our children need but Apple Tree continues to prove us wrong! It has given our children an environment to grow, learn, and enjoy during every moment they spend there. The staff treat our children like family and go out of their way to assure their safety. We feel confident that our children are happy and secure while we are away. We just love Apple Tree and all the smiling faces we see there! If you need more, just let us know! I definitely could have rambled on and on some more as there are more than enough kind things we have to say! Also, Lynn is the absolute best! We are so fortunate to have had her move with us from West to North! Our children never forget to mention her in their nightly prayers. Thanks!

The Reilly Family

As a mom we want whats best for our kids and I can say Apple Tree is the best. I wish I would've started my son here from the start. The staff are incredible! They plan age appropriate activities and even provides Montessori learning which is a method of self-directed activity. This is hands down the most safe and clean environment for my child.

Brittany

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Why Apple Tree Children's Centers

Our mission is to provide exceptional care, nurture and age-appropriate learning opportunities in the context of a Christ-centered worldview. This mission is accomplished through the dedicated effort of management and staff whose concern is for the welfare of the children entrusted to our care.

All four of our facilities are kept safe and secure at all times. We strive to provide a clean, comfortable environment for our children. Our staff is warm, caring and trained to instill a passion for lifelong learning in our students while nurturing their individual strengths.

Stop in and check out our programs, teachers, field trips, and clean facilities. No appointment necessary, drop by anytime!

infrastructure

Certified Tutors

Small Class Size

Infant Care

Safety First

Activities

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History

Apple Tree Children’s Centers began serving the Sioux Falls area in 1981 as a small one-room pre-school program, specializing in the Montessori Learning Method. The need for additional childcare services was soon identified. We currently have four facilities able to care for 800 children. Apple Tree Children’s Centers, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the best childcare, pre-school preparation and before/after school program to the children and families we serve.

Mission Statement

The mission of Apple Tree Children’s Centers is to provide exceptional care, nurture and age-appropriate learning opportunities in the context of a Christ-centered worldview. This mission is accomplished through the dedicated effort of management and staff whose concern is for the welfare of the children entrusted to their care.

Philosophy

The future of our world will be molded by our children of today. At Apple Tree Children’s Centers, we value the uniqueness of each child and encourage the growth and development to become a responsible individual. Through time-tested processes, learning is experienced through classroom structured settings and supervised play. We believe that all activities, with guidance, are a teaching tool that strengthens the independence, confidence, and problem-solving characteristics needed to maintain a healthy and productive future. Apple Tree Children’s Centers believe a warm and caring home with loving parents is the best place for children. For many families, this environment is only available for a limited time during the week. The financial realities of modern life call most parents into the workforce. Apple Tree strives to create and maintain an environment as close as possible to that of the home we just described. Apple Tree considers the physical, psychological, emotional, and developmental needs of the children entrusted to its care in the design of facilities and programs as well as staffing and supervision. Excellence in child care is the goal of Apple Tree Children’s Centers Our programs are designed to support the needs of children age 4 weeks to 11 years, giving them a secure start to becoming a responsible adult.

Bus Routes

Valhalla

Harrisburg Explorer
JFK
Pettigrew

Discovery
Oscar Howe
Laura Wilder

North

Robert Bennis
Fred Assam
Anne Sullivan

Cleveland
St. Lamberts
Rosa Parks
Harvey Dunn

East

Cleveland
Rosa Parks
John Harris
Susan B. Anthony

Robert Frost
Sonia Sotmayor
Terry Redlin
Harvey Dunn
Lowell

West

Oscar Howe
Discovery
Pettigrew

JFK
Hayward
Frontier

Our Team

Lynn Peterson

Director of Apple Tree North

I have been blessed to work with Apple Tree Children’s Center since 2001. I started my passion for childcare in my early college years when I had the privilege of working with infants/toddlers at the University of South Dakota. On my free time, I enjoy camping, craft projects, and cheering on my favorite little Sioux Falls Flyer Hockey player.

April

Assistant Director

My name is April Johannsen. I grew up around the Brookings area, and graduated from Black Hills State University with Business Management and Early Childhood Education. I have worked with children for over 15 years both as a nanny and in centers. My husband Tyson and I have 2 children; Harvey and Eva and we enjoy being a part of the Sioux Falls community. We like going for walks to the parks, Canaries games, and visits to B&G! I look forward to helping your children learn and grow here at Apple Tree!