Jr. Explorers - Ages 3-5

Registration accepted on a space available basis

  • School Year 2025-26 Junior Explorers registration now open.
  • Summer 2025 K-5 & Junior Explorers registration now open.
What is Junior Explorers
Junior Explorers is sponsored though Minnetonka Community Education and offers a flexible, high-quality childcare program for preschool-aged children. Our highly qualified staff ensure all activities are age-appropriate and provide a balance between structured and non-structured play. Children spend time with friends in activities such as listening to stories, creating art and science projects and playing outdoors.

Junior Explorers is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday and requires a minimum of two days of care. Please note that children must be toilet trained by age 4 to participate in Junior Explorers.

Junior Explorers for Minnetonka Preschool Students
You may choose to combine childcare with Minnetonka Preschool, or enroll your child(ren) in only Junior Explorers. Combining Minnetonka Preschool and Junior Explorers childcare is a great option for families looking for high-quality childcare and a world-class preschool program. Staff accompany children between programs and ensure they are supervised at all times.

School Year Junior Explorers Details
  • Located at the Minnetonka Community Ed Center    
  • Held September 2-June 11, Monday-Friday, before and after school. Opens at 6:30 am, closes at 6 pm. Non-school day childcare is available. Registration is required to attend.
  • Children must be enrolled on a consistent schedule, two to five days, at the same time increments each week for a minimum of four weeks
  • Registration is accepted on a space available basis.
  • A non-refundable $100 registration fee, per child, is due at the time of registration. An additional $100 deposit will be collected at registration, this will be credited toward your first monthly invoice.
Wrap Community Ed activities into your child's day
Minnetonka Community Education offers a variety of enrichment and recreational activities that can be wrapped into your child’s day at the Minnetonka Community Education Center (MCEC). Your child can attend preschool, take a dance, gymnastics, music or language class and go to Junior Explorers childcare— all between drop-off and pick-up! Our staff will accompany children between each activity to ensure a safe, supervised transition.

 

Childcare Options Schedule Notes
Before Preschool 6:30-9 am

 

  • Includes a nutritious breakfast snack
After Preschool 3-6 pm

 

 
Opposite Preschool

 

6:30 am-12:30 pm
or 11:15 am-6 pm
  • Includes a nutritious snack
  • Send a bag lunch each day.
Half Day AM 6:30 am-12:30 pm
  • Includes a breakfast snack.
  • Send a bag lunch each day.
Half Day PM

 

Noon-6 pm
  • Includes a nutritious snack.
  • Send a bag lunch each day.
Full Day 6:30 am-6 pm
  • Care for days when your child is not in preschool.
  • May be combined with other Community Ed classes or activities (i.e. Tonka Dance Academy, Music, etc.).
Summer 6:30 am-6 pm
  • Care is available when school is not in session.
  • Ages 33 months (3 by September 1) - 4 years old by September 1, 2024

 

Registration Questions

Payment Questions

Program Questions

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K-5 Explorers: Please note that there is a $100 registration fee per child, which is non-refundable.

Summer Explorers: Please note that there is a $50 registration fee per child, which is non-refundable.

Junior Explorers: Please note there is a $200 fee due at the time of registration approval. $100 of this fee is a non-refundable registration fee. The remaining $100 is a deposit for care that will be applied to your first months invoice as a credit.


Contact

Molly Bahneman
Coordinator
molly.bahneman@minnetonkaschools.org
952.401.6838
 
Kris Fasnacht
Enrollment & Billing
kristi.fasnacht@minnetonkaschools.org
952.401.6832
 

Minnetonka Community Education Center
4584 Vine Hill Road
Deephaven, MN 55331

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays

Additional Contacts by School



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