Growing confident learners from the very start.

Mixed-Age
Kindergarten Program
Ages 3-6

  • Children ages 3-6 ready to learn in a nurturing, mixed-age environment where curiosity, play and early academics grow together.

    The Hearts and Minds Learning Community is Ideal for learners who benefit from individualized pacing, rich language exposure and strong social connection. From emerging preschoolers to kindergarteners building confidence.

    **HMLC’s early childhood is not a childcare program and we do not have the facilities or personnel to perform diaper changes, so we ask that all learners be using the toilet reasonably reliably. Disposable training pants (such as Pull-Ups or similar) are fine.

    As part of our model of community care, for any indoor time, masks are required. All learners must reliably be able to wear an N-95 or KN-95 mask.

  • Learners must be at least three years-old to enroll.

    All learners must be reliably using the toilet (Pull-Ups and similar are okay as a back up).

    Learners must be prepared to participate from 9:30a - 3:30p, HMLC does not have a nap time.

    As part of our community care model, all learners are required to wear masks while indoors. All learners must reliably be able to wear an N-95 or KN-95 mask during their time indoors.

    All learners are required to be up-to-date on all vaccines as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health and CIDRAP, unless a medical exemption applies.

  • Outdoors-first, hands-on, play-based exploration blended with purposeful early literacy and numeracy.

    Children learn alongside older and younger peers through storytelling, guided discovery, small-group lessons, creative arts and practical life activities. The mixed-age setting encourages children to both “learn up” and mentor, building confidence, empathy and independence.

  • 10-12 kids total. Intentionally small to ensure close relationships, individualized attention and a calm, responsive classroom community where every child is known well.

  • Free play
    Circle time
    Reading readiness/writing/math concepts
    Lunch
    Free and directed play time
    Snack
    Art/science/history/social studies

    Activities can include thematic explorations, collaborative building, nature time and journaling, dramatic play, shared reading, problem-solving challenges and more.

  • Children move naturally into the mixed-age early elementary program as they demonstrate readiness in foundational skills, independence and social confidence, typically between age 5 and 6.

    Because they remain within a familiar multi-age community and learning approach, transitions are gentle, gradual, supportive and low-stress. This allows each child to move forward when they’re ready.

  • If your child has a mental or behavioral health diagnosis (or known mental or behavioral health challenges) or has a history of physically running away from adults or groups into unsafe situations outside of safety boundaries (i.e. running into the street despite being aware of safety rules and being asked to stop), we ask that families connect with HMLC administrators and educators to discuss before enrolling.

    Every child and every situation is different, so we may be able to accommodate your family safely in a way that fully supports your child.

    However, we are a very small organization and are unable to provide dedicated, one-on-one support, such as individual support specialists.

    Please discuss with us first and we can let you know if the HMLC program is a good fit for your family’s needs. ‍

Interested in learning more or enrolling in the Hearts and Minds Learning Community’s mixed-age kindergarten program? Let’s talk!

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HMLC’s Educational Approach

The Hearts and Minds Learning Community is grounded in the belief that children learn best when they are:

  • Actively engaged in hands-on experiences

  • Connected to the natural world

  • Supported socially and emotionally

  • Given time and space to explore, question and reflect

    HMLC is committed to providing a diverse learning program that honors and celebrates different cultures, lived experiences and peoples. Children are introduced to a wide range of cultural traditions, stories, languages, perspectives and histories through curriculum themes, literature, music, art, food and community engagement.

    Our customized curriculum integrates academic skill-building with experiential learning, movement, creativity and outdoor exploration.

    This approach is supported by extensive research demonstrating that nature-based education enhances academic achievement, executive functioning, emotional well-being and intrinsic motivation. These beliefs are reflected daily through hands-on lessons, outdoor inquiry, collaborative learning experiences and intentional support for each child’s social and emotional growth.

HMLC’s Curriculum

HMLC’s curriculum is aligned with Minnesota state early learning guidelines and elementary learning standards.

These standards are reflected across core developmental and academic domains, including:

  • Language and literacy development

  • Mathematics

  • Science inquiry

  • Social studies

  • Creative arts

  • Physical development

  • Social-emotional learning

    Our curriculum is:

  • Standards-aligned: Learning experiences are designed to support mastery of Minnesota state learning objectives while remaining developmentally appropriate.

  • Inquiry-based: Driven by curiosity and student questions.

  • Interdisciplinary: Integrating literacy, math, science, art, music and social studies.

  • Experiential: Emphasizing real-world, hands-on learning.

  • Screen-free: Prioritizing sensory-rich, embodied experiences.

  • Responsive: Adapted to developmental readiness and interests.

    Learning outcomes are documented through observation, documentation and formalized assessments during parent-teacher meetings. This aligns with best practices recommended by state early learning and elementary education agencies.

Community-Centered Learning

Learning at HMLC is relational and community-focused.

Research shows that children thrive in environments where they feel safe, connected, and valued. Our program emphasizes respectful relationships, shared responsibility, and collective care.

Community-centered learning at HMLC includes:

A strong commitment to inclusion, equity and cultural responsiveness.

By highlighting diverse cultures, identities, family structures and community experiences, children learn to value differences, practice empathy and develop a sense of belonging and global awareness.

HMLC is:

  • An educator-owned cooperative

  • A gender-inclusive school

  • A secular environment exploring and celebrating a wide range of faith traditions

  • An inclusive, collaborative community where children learn across differences, practice empathy and develop respect for diverse perspectives and experiences