Meet our amazing team!
Ms. Kelli
Owner
My name is Kelli. I graduated form Hayfield Community Schools. I attended the UMD for 2 years before transferring to RCTC where I got my degree in Child Development. After working at a center and doing childcare in my home for over 15 years I decided to expand and start this new adventure of owning & running my own child care center.
My husband, Jeff and I live in Hayfield with our three daughters and a mini labradoodle puppy & a petite sheepdoodle. Jeff owns his own Construction & Cabinet business as well as a lawn service & snow removal business. Our girls keep us busy with dance competitions, volleyball and basketball games. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, baking, & spending time at the lake in the summer.
"We are all human, it's okay to have a meltdown...just don't unpack and stay there. Cry it out and then refocus and move ahead"
Nacia
Cook
My husband & I moved to Hayfield in 1970 for his first teaching job. We were going to stay for a couple years and move on! Well, we are still here. We have 4 daughters (+son-in-laws), 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
After moving to Hayfield, I worked at Peterson's Grocery Store, owned and operated a greenhouse in Dodge Center and a flower shop in Kasson. But my greatest job was having an In-home daycare for 22 years. I was retired for about 15 years until my daughter asked me to be the cook here. I was hesitant but I am so happy I took the job as I love being with the children and I am known as "the Center Gramma"! Love It!
In my spare time I enjoy putting puzzles together, reading, playing bingo on Thursday Nights and during the summer doing yard work and spending time at Leech Lake.
Ms. Belle
Infant Aide
My name is Isabelle (Belle), and I was born and raised in Chetek, Wisconsin, which is a small lake town of about 2200 people. I have an older brother and sister and we practically grew up on the lake. During high school I began working at a childcare center and fell in love with children. I went to college for commercial architectural design and am a certified drafting technician, but ultimately decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do long-term, so went back to childcare.
I moved to Austin, MN with my boyfriend of 5 years in January 2023, and in June we purchased our first home in Rochester and are enjoying our busy life together. We have two cats and a German Shepard puppy, all of whom keep up on our toes! In addition, we are expecting out first child in February 2024 and are extremely excited.
Ms. Mallory
Lead Toddler Teacher
Hi everyone! My name is Mallory. I grew up and graduated from Kasson- Mantorville in 2006. At the end of high school, I worked at the daycare center formerly known as Amazing Kids in Byron. For many years after and until present day, I worked with several adults with developmental disabilities and the elderly, specifically patients with Alzheimers and Dementia. Direct care with people of all ages has always been my passion. I first moved to Hayfield in the summer of 2009. Shortly after finding my home in Hayfield I had my first child in the winter of 2010. I now have three amazing boys: Haven (10), Harper (7), and Harrison (3). We keep pretty busy between school activities, summer sports/swimming, and all the little things each kid has going on. We love the close-knit community of Hayfield and are glad we made the choice to call it "home".
Ms. Shaunah
Preschool Assistant Teacher
I currently live In Mankato. I have a husky puppy named Draco. I have worked in childcare for about 5 years in total with a few breaks just to try something new or because I moved to a town without children care opportunities close by.
I like to fish (both summer & winter), play card games with friends, spend time with my family. When I am not doing that, I am usually working at my second job.
I love working with kids because I love watching them grow and develop into their own person. I love to watch them have their own personalities and their own little quirks. Oh! And the goofy things they do and say always make me laugh.
Ms. Liz
Lead Prep-K Teacher
Hello I am Liz. I graduated from Stewartville High School and I am in the process trying to figure out what I want to be for the rest of my life but I know it has something to do with kids because they always seem to bring the kid out of me and they always know how to make the tough days better.
My husband (Burton) and I moved to Hayfield in 2019 with our son Caleb. During this time Burton was going to school and got a job in West Concord as a diesel mechanic. We have since then welcomed 2 more beautiful kiddos into our lives, Leo & Huxley. We also have 2 dogs Hobbs (Great Pyrenees) and Fawn (German Shepard). Some day soon, hopefully, we can move out in the country on a little hobby farm.
During my free time I love being outside enjoying all things nature, playing sports, gardening and being with my family.
"We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are."
-Max Depree
I love this because I am constantly trying to better myself.
Ms. Brianna
Float Assistant Teacher
My name is Brianna. I grew up in Elma, IA. I graduated in 2011 from Crestwood High School. I have been married for 8 years to my husband, Travis. We moved to Minnesota in 2016. Travis is a maintenance technician at Nu-Tek bioscience in Austin. We have 2 sons, Silas (4) & Zane (6 months).
In my free time I love to go to our lake home in Backus, MN, go fishing, ice fishing, hunting, and hanging out with my family.
"You're amazing just the way you are!"
Ms. Emily T.
Float Lead Teacher
Hi my name is Emily. I grew up in Blooming Prairie but live on a farm outside of Owatonna now. I attended Riverland where I began working towards an Early Childhood degree. Working with children has always been a passion of mine.
I enjoy spending my free time with my animals, family and watching Netflix or really doing anything outdoors.
Ms. Jasmine
Float Aide
COMING SOON!
Ms. Emily M.
Float Aide
COMING SOON!