Early Morning
Circle TimeEach day begins with a warm welcome as children gather to build a strong sense of community and belonging.
Now Enrolling
The Leader in Early Education and Care®
Hours & Location
M-F 6:30 am-6:00 pmAccreditation
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Early Education and Care in Lake Elmo, MN
Our school is more than a daycare. Through purposeful play and nurturing guidance, we help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. We are located right off the intersection of Manning Ave and Stillwater Blvd, across (west) from the Washington County Fairgrounds and right next to the new Bridgewater Bank. Come by and see Balanced Learning® in action.
Every Moment Matters
- The components of our Balanced Learning® approach are intentionally aligned to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
- Your child will stay engaged all day with the right balance of child-initiated and teacher-guided learning experiences.
- Our students learn the foundational skills to develop Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts® that will forge a path to a brighter future.
A Day in The Life at Primrose
Mid-Morning
Noggin Joggin’Through thought-provoking discussions, children are encouraged to wonder, predict and think critically.
Late Morning
Harmony & HeartChildren discover the joy of music, melody and self-expression as they sing, dance and play instruments.
Early Afternoon
Small GroupTeachers build meaningful relationships while offering individualized support, encouragement and challenges.
Early Afternoon
Wonder TimesWonder students explore concepts through hands-on investigations, thoughtful conversations, songs and more.
Mid-Afternoon
Small Group LiteracyVenture students find their voice and express their ideas through drawing, writing, storytelling and bookmaking.
Late-Afternoon
Thumbs Up!Children build coordination, balance and body awareness while practicing teamwork and healthy habits.
Late-Afternoon
Reflections of the DayChildren come together to celebrate their learning, share discoveries and reflect on the day’s experiences.
Franchise Owners
Gina and Steve Dahlblom
Welcome to Primrose School of Lake Elmo!
We’re honored to bring high-quality preschool and child care to families in the Lake Elmo and greater Stillwater community.
Our own search for child care with our firstborn showed us how difficult it can be to find a program that offers a strong curriculum, character development, a nurturing environment, and a true partnership with parents. Although we fell in love with Primrose in a neighboring city, high demand kept us on the waitlist. As Lake Elmo and surrounding areas continued to grow, we saw the need for exceptional early education close to home—sparking our desire to bring a Primrose School to our community.
We have a long history and passion for our community as we both grew up here and graduated from Stillwater Area High School. After a short relocation to Charleston for Steve’s career, we came back to Lake Elmo to raise our family.
Steve holds a degree in Agricultural Business & Finance from the University of Minnesota and has built a career in global operations, leading international teams, building businesses and meaningful relationships across many countries and cultures. Gina graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a degree in Business Administration and has experience in corporate retail focused on planning, operations, and team leadership. She also spent meaningful years as a stay-at-home mom. Together, we also manage a small real-estate business in the St. Croix Valley. As a family, we love sports, traveling, boating on the St. Croix, golfing, and skiing.
Above all, we value long-lasting, trusting relationships—something we look forward to building with the children and families in our school. We feel grateful for the opportunity to support each child’s growth and development.
At Primrose, we believe who children become is as important as what they know. Our Balanced Learning® approach combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance to inspire curiosity, confidence, creativity, and compassion.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the Primrose family!
~ The Dahlbloms
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all staff members background-checked and CPR/first-aid certified?
Yes. Every Primrose staff member undergoes a thorough background check before joining our school. All staff are also CPR and first–aid certified, so you can feel confident your child is in safe, prepared hands every day.
What curriculum or educational philosophy do you follow?
Our school uses the proprietary Primrose Schools Balanced Learning® curriculum, which is research-informed and designed to nurture the whole child — intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. We believe in balancing teacher-guided learning with purposeful play to build a strong foundation for the future.
How do you support school readiness and the transition to kindergarten?
All of our programs are designed in age-appropriate ways to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. We focus on early literacy and numeracy as well as social-emotional skill development — so children arrive at kindergarten confident and ready to thrive. 96% of Primrose Schools Pre-K students met ASQ benchmarks for problem solving.*
What are your hours of operation?
We are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am-6:00 pm.
How do you keep parents informed about their child's day?
Connecting school to home is one of the ways we help children thrive. We use the Procare app to share daily updates and photos so you stay connected to your child’s joy, learning and special moments
