Building a foundation of love, learning, and laughter since 2009.
Little Explorers Learning Center was founded in 2009 by Jennifer Whitfield, a former kindergarten teacher and mother of three who saw a real need in Springfield for childcare that went beyond supervision. She wanted to create a place where children felt safe enough to be curious, where teachers were empowered to nurture each child's individual strengths, and where families felt like true partners in their child's growth.
What started as a small home daycare with six toddlers and a big vision has grown into a fully accredited learning center serving over 120 families. Through every stage of growth, our mission has never changed: to give every child in our care the warmest possible start to their learning journey.
Today, Little Explorers occupies a purpose-built facility on Meadow Lane with eight classrooms, an indoor gymnasium, and a half-acre outdoor play area complete with a nature garden. We remain family-owned and deeply rooted in the Springfield community.
We believe every child is a natural learner, and our job is to fan that flame of curiosity.
Our philosophy draws from the best practices in early childhood education, blending elements of the Reggio Emilia approach, Montessori principles, and the Creative Curriculum framework. We believe children learn most effectively through purposeful play, hands-on exploration, and meaningful relationships with caring adults.
Rather than rigid academic drilling, we create rich learning environments where children naturally encounter math, literacy, science, and social skills through activities they genuinely enjoy. A child building a block tower is learning physics. A group of preschoolers running a pretend restaurant is developing language, cooperation, and early math skills.
Dedicated, experienced educators who genuinely love what they do.
Founder & Director
With over 20 years in early childhood education, Jennifer holds a Master's in Education from UIS and leads our center with warmth, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Lead Infant Teacher
Maria brings 12 years of infant care experience and a degree in Child Development. Her gentle approach and keen observation skills help every baby feel secure and supported.
Lead Preschool Teacher
Tamika's classroom is a hub of creativity and laughter. She holds an Early Childhood Education degree and is known for her innovative art projects and circle-time storytelling.
Lead Pre-K Teacher
Rachel specializes in kindergarten readiness and brings 8 years of classroom experience. Her structured yet playful approach gives children the confidence they need for the big transition to elementary school.
A thoughtfully designed program that balances structured learning with the freedom to explore.
Our curriculum centers on purposeful play, where every activity is intentionally designed to build skills while keeping children engaged and joyful. Learning centers in each classroom rotate weekly to introduce new concepts in literacy, math, science, and the arts.
Starting in our Preschool program and intensifying in Pre-K, we build the foundational academic skills children need for kindergarten. This includes letter recognition, phonemic awareness, counting, basic addition, writing their name, and following multi-step directions.
We use the CSEFEL framework to teach emotional regulation, empathy, and positive social skills. Children learn to identify their feelings, use words to resolve conflicts, take turns, and build genuine friendships that make school feel like a second home.
Purpose-built for early learners with safety, comfort, and exploration in mind.
Eight spacious, sunlit classrooms with age-appropriate furniture, organized learning centers, and dedicated nap areas. Each room is designed to feel warm and inviting.
A half-acre fenced outdoor area with age-separated play zones, rubber surfacing, climbing structures, a sandbox, tricycle path, and a nature exploration garden.
Keypad-controlled entry, security cameras in all common areas, a visitor sign-in protocol, and background-checked staff ensure your child's safety at all times.
Professional cleaning every evening plus ongoing sanitization throughout the day. All toys, surfaces, and restrooms are cleaned on a strict rotating schedule.
Your child's safety is our highest priority. Here are the measures we take every single day.
Our building uses keypad-controlled doors with unique codes assigned to each family. All visitors must show ID and sign in at the front desk before entering classroom areas.
Security cameras are installed in all classrooms, hallways, and outdoor areas. Footage is monitored by administration and stored securely for 90 days.
Every staff member undergoes a comprehensive background check, fingerprinting, and reference verification before hire. All teachers maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.
We conduct monthly fire drills and quarterly severe weather drills. Every classroom has a posted evacuation plan, first aid kit, and emergency contact binder.
Held to the highest standards in early childhood education.
Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, recognizing our commitment to high-quality early learning standards and best practices.
Fully licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) with a consistent record of compliance across all inspections and reviews.
Recognized at the Gold Circle of Quality level through ExceleRate Illinois, the state's quality rating system for early childhood education programs.
The best way to experience Little Explorers is to visit. Schedule a tour and see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and ask all the questions on your mind.
Schedule a Tour