The Dakota Learn & Play Child Care Center is operated by the Dakota School District, which helps to ensure the highest standards for your child's first school experience.  We are a state licensed facility serving children age 3-10 years. (Children must be toilet trained.)

The Dakota Learn & Play staff realizes the uniqueness and importance of each child. Through our thematic curriculum, we strive to have each child learn to express him or herself. Our preschool curriculum is based on the Illinois Early Learning Standards.  We encourage growth through group and individual activities to further each child's development physically, mentally, cognitively, emotionally, and socially. It is our goal to prepare your child for a successful school experience.

The center is located in Room 1 of the Dakota Elementary School. Programs offered include preschool, full and part time day care, and before and after school care. The center is open from 6:30AM to 5:30PM.  Preschool classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15AM to 11:00AM.

The center is open year round and enrollment is open to children of any school district. The center and all of its programs are operated with the tuition parents pay to have their children attend. We do accept state subsidized payments for eligible families. (Information about the state subsidized child care program is available from the director.)

Yearly registration is held each March, but new clients may register at any time if we are not at full capacity. Names can be put on our waiting list if openings are not available.  For more information about the Dakota Learn & Play Child Care Center, please call Sue Benters at 449-2852 ext. 271, or e-mail messages may be sent to sbenters@dakota201.com.