Jr. Explorers - Ages 3-5
Registration accepted on a space available basis
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School Year 2025-26 Junior Explorers registration now open.
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Summer 2025 K-5 & Junior Explorers registration now open.
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.
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Located at the Minnetonka Community Ed Center
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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.
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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
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Registration is accepted on a space available basis.
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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.
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
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After Preschool | 3-6 pm
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Opposite Preschool
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6:30 am-12:30 pm or 11:15 am-6 pm |
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Half Day AM | 6:30 am-12:30 pm |
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Half Day PM
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Noon-6 pm |
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Full Day | 6:30 am-6 pm |
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Summer | 6:30 am-6 pm |
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Registration Questions
- How do I register for Junior Explorers?
- Can my child attend Junior Explorers on a day not regularly scheduled (add-a-day)?
- How do I change my child’s Junior Explorers schedule?
How do I register for Junior Explorers?
Can my child attend Junior Explorers on a day not regularly scheduled (add-a-day)?
How do I change my child’s Junior Explorers schedule?
Payment Questions
- How much does Junior Explorers cost?
- Is tuition assistance available for Junior Explorers?
- How does billing work for Junior Explorers?
- How do I make a payment for Junior Explorers?
- How do I update my auto pay for Junior Explorers?
- Is there credit for illness or absence from Junior Explorers?
- How do I get copies of my invoices?
- Can I get a year-end summary of my Explorers payments?
How much does Junior Explorers cost?
Is tuition assistance available for Junior Explorers?
How does billing work for Junior Explorers?
How do I make a payment for Junior Explorers?
How do I update my auto pay for Junior Explorers?
Is there credit for illness or absence from Junior Explorers?
How do I get copies of my invoices?
Can I get a year-end summary of my Explorers payments?
Program Questions
- Where is Junior Explorers located?
- Is Junior Explorers an accredited childcare program?
- How will Junior Explorers teachers communicate with me regarding my child’s progress?
- Will the Junior Explorers children be taking naps?
- Does my child need to be toilet trained?
- How do I authorize new people to pick my child up from Explorers?
- Can my Junior Explorers child ride the bus to and from school?
- How does the lunch program work for my Junior Explorers child?
- Will my child have a snack at Junior Explorers?
- How does Junior Explorers handle children with food allergies?
- Is Junior Explorers in session on non-school days?
- What is your security system for parent/child pick-up?
- What if I am unable to pick up my child by 6 p.m.?
Where is Junior Explorers located?
Is Junior Explorers an accredited childcare program?
How will Junior Explorers teachers communicate with me regarding my child’s progress?
Will the Junior Explorers children be taking naps?
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
How do I authorize new people to pick my child up from Explorers?
Can my Junior Explorers child ride the bus to and from school?
How does the lunch program work for my Junior Explorers child?
Will my child have a snack at Junior Explorers?
How does Junior Explorers handle children with food allergies?
Is Junior Explorers in session on non-school days?
What is your security system for parent/child pick-up?
What if I am unable to pick up my child by 6 p.m.?

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
Minnetonka Community Education Center
4584 Vine Hill Road
Deephaven, MN 55331
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays
