About Us
About Us
Family
Creativity
Commitment
Nurture
Love
History
Our Story
Opening a childcare center has always been a lifelong dream for owner Jamie Gillund. While attending Southwest Minnesota State University, Jamie worked at the campus childcare center, where she instantly fell in love with the atmosphere, the relationships, and the joy of working with young children. She knew right away that early childhood education was where she belonged. Being surrounded by a team who shared the same passion made it the perfect fit.
After earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, Jamie opened an in-home daycare, where she provided loving, high-quality care to families for 17 years. Even while running her successful in-home program, the dream of opening a full-scale childcare center never left her heart.
In the summer of 2020, she decided it was time to take the leap. After months of planning, preparation, and pouring her passion into the project, Little Explorers Child Care Center officially opened its doors in Ghent, Minnesota—built on the same values Jamie had carried since the beginning: a safe, loving, educational, and family-centered environment.
As the need for childcare in the area continued to grow, so did Little Explorers. With continued community support and a dedicated team, Jamie began plans to expand. In 2026, Little Explorers will open its second location in Minneota, allowing even more children and families to experience the care, warmth, and community that have defined Little Explorers since day one.
Today, Little Explorers continues to grow while staying true to its roots: providing a nurturing space where children can learn, explore, and thrive.
Mission
To provide a safe, stimulating, and caring environment for children ages six weeks to 12 years. Our focus is to provide an encouraging educational experience, promoting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Committed to the families we serve, we strive to give parents complete peace of mind, while providing a stable, secure learning environment that fosters a solid foundation for lifelong success.
Vision
At Little Explorers Child Care Center LLC we provide a safe, reliable, educational, and fun environment for your child.
Philosophy
We believe children learn best in a safe and happy place where they are free to explore their surroundings. Every child needs an environment that encourages them to learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially at their own pace.
We believe children learn through play! The role of the teacher is to be a facilitative guide to help children meet developmentally appropriate milestones through inspired learning.
Owner's Bio
Jamie Gillund was born on a small farm in Ivanhoe, Minnesota, and spent her childhood living in Arizona, Michigan, and eventually back in Minnesota, where she graduated from Marshall High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Southwest Minnesota State University.
Jamie has always had a passion for caring for young children. From carrying baby dolls everywhere as a little girl to babysitting as a teen, she always knew this was the path she was meant for. During college, she worked at the campus child care center, which strengthened her love for early education.
After graduating, Jamie opened a licensed in-home daycare in Ghent, where she spent 17 years caring for hundreds of children. Those years shaped her into the educator and caregiver she is today—and inspired her to open Little Explorers Child Care Center.
Jamie Gillund's Family
Jamie is married to Kurt and has five children, Daylin, Skyla, Kestler, Whitney and Gunner. She loves attending her children’s events, camping with the family, shopping, and eating out. Most of all, Jamie loves going to work every day and hearing the laughter, seeing the smiles, and knowing she is making a difference for so many little ones and their families!
