Employment Opportunities Work & Play in a Natural & Creative Way
Kids Garden Core Values
Creativity at the Core
Creativity is the heart of our center and everything we do. We use art as a medium for connection and expression, believing that real learning happens through hands-on, play-based, and experiential learning.
Trust & Peace of Mind
No mom guilt here! From a clean environment with safe products to a solid staff and curriculum, both parents and children consistently feel good about coming to Kids Garden, knowing what to expect and experiencing a sense of security.
Environment as the Third Teacher
Our eco-friendly creative arts learning center is intentionally designed with sunlight, fresh plants, and natural elements, creating a magical and whimsical atmosphere that encourages experimentation and exploration.
Family & Community Growth
Our flexible childcare adapts to your family and aligns with your values, providing both stability and spontaneity. Our educators act as gardeners — we nurture seedlings, providing tailored, continuous support as they grow.
We Work & Play in a Natural & Creative Way
At Kids Garden Steamboat Springs, we’ve cultivated an eco-friendly community full of wonder, learning and growth. Parents are captivated by the flexibility and convenience, and children have the opportunity to learn and play in a natural and creative way. It’s an alternative for mindful parent, with plenty of options to fit your family’s needs, offering a safe and supportive place to allow your child to thrive, create and discover.
Whether you join us for our flexible preschool program, drop-in afternoon enrichment classes, summer camps, birthday parties or Saturday’s parents night out, we are always the same magical, whimsical place where experiments are encouraged and exploration is the constant.
What is Kids Garden? A Holistic, Child-Centered / Play-Based, Creative Arts Learning Center
Holistic
Child-Centered / Play-Based
Creative
Arts
Learning
Center
Holistic
- Eco-friendly
- Wholesome Nutrition
- Nurturing, Natural Environment
- Filled with Sunlight & Live Plants
- Organic Elements & Wooden Toys
- Sustainable Practices
Child-Centered / Play-Based
- Hands-on Play
- Exploration is Encouraged
- Screen-Free Enrichment
- Safety First Approach
- Stability
Creative
- Innovative
- Flexible
- Magical
- Whimsical
- Joyful
Arts
- Imagination
- Storytelling
- Music & Dance
- Drawing & Painting
- Variety of Materials for Artistic Expression
Learning
- Montessori & Reggio Emilia Theories
- Diverse Curriculum
- Connection & Socialization
- Growth & Development
- Stimulating & Energizing
- Abundance of Reading & Learning Materials
Center
- Built on Community
- Flexible Preschool
- Drop-in Childcare (alternative to daycare)
- Birthday Parties
- Parents' Night Out
Meet Our Team
Charlotte Harriman
Kids Garden Steamboat Springs Director / Owner
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Ms. Charlotte is Steamboat Kids Garden’s Director and Owner. Charlotte was camping with one of her best friends, Maren, shortly after her first child was born. Maren was telling her about this great Creative Arts learning center she had opened. At the time Charlotte’s husband and she had opposite work schedules, and they juggled the care of their infant son without childcare. However, there were times they needed some help and there was no drop-in child care available in Steamboat. So, as she sat talking to Maren that night they agreed we should open a Kids Garden in Steamboat. Within the next year and half the wheels were set in motion, and Steamboat became the first franchise. Charlotte’s background is in Business and Marketing. Once Kids Garden opened she returned to college for Early Childhood classes and became Director Certified. Since the doors opened January 25, 2016, the Harriman family welcomed another baby on January 25, 2017. It was a wild first year of business ownership!! Charlotte’s favorite part about being a teacher at Kids Garden, besides bringing her kids to work, is seeing the local children that come through the center grow and blossom through our program!!
Kasey Houlihan
Kids Garden Steamboat Springs Director of Junior Explorers Club / Lead Preschool Teacher
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Ms. Kasey is the Director of our NEW Junior Explorers Club, this is our school age classroom for children 6-12 years old. She has helped create our fabulous Summer Camp program. When the big kids are in school Miss Kasey is our Lead Preschool teacher. She has been part of the Kids Garden family since the first winter we were open and is a beloved part of our management team. Kasey was born in Vermont and moved to Steamboat when she was a kid. She loves children and loves watching them grow and learn. Miss Kasey is a favorite with the local kids and loves developing a relationship with the children in our program. Kids Garden has provided her a fantastic opportunity to learn and get experience while working on her College degree in Early Childhood. When she is not at Kids Garden she loves to ski. She has been skiing since she was 2 and works as a ski instructor on the weekends during the winter on the mountain.
Dayana Morales
Kids Garden Steamboat Springs Lead Teacher of Adventure Camp
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Dayana is the Lead Teacher during the summer at our Adventure Camp for children 3-5 years old. She has been part of the Kids Garden team since June, 2021 straight out of high school. Dayana is originally from Mexico but, moved to Steamboat Springs as a child. Dayana is taking College Classes and works for Steamboat Springs School district during the school year. She is bi-lingual and helps support our Hispanic families. Her own daughter is part of the Kids Garden family. This talented teacher brings fun, energy, safety and education to our Adventure Camp Program all summer long.
Sarah Ruby
Kids Garden Steamboat Springs Office Manager
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Sarah works for Kids Garden part time as our office manager and helps to keep all our paperwork in order. Sarah is a long time local and mother of 2 boys that have grown up in our center. Sarah has a background in teaching and is certified in Orton Gillingham and works as a reading tutor for Steamboat Reading. She loves to belly dance and ski.
About Kids Garden
Videos
Why Kids Garden
Kids Garden is a nurturing, natural environment flooded with sun light, living plants, textural elements, wooden structures and a consistent artistic expression. All backed by rich educational theories, green practices, diverse curriculum, creative arts and the freedom drop in to new experiences. A secure environment that stimulates minds and energizes bodies through amazing social interactions. A magical, whimsical place where experiments are encouraged and exploration is the constant.
Kids Play Garden Preschool
Kids Garden's preschool is centered around children ages 3-5 years old, where we seamlessly blend Montessori and Reggio methods to cultivate holistic growth. Through play-based learning, children develop positive socialization, fine motor skills, and effective communication techniques. Our curriculum goes beyond basics, introducing math concepts, reading comprehension, and even yoga for physical and emotional well-being. Join us in fostering a love for learning and exploration in every child!
FAQs
The qualifications vary by location, but generally, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent. A college degree is required for some positions, however we have many teachers working with us while in college! Kids Garden does require additional certifications like CPR + first aid training, and a background check.
Any experience working with children is beneficial. This could include babysitting, volunteering, or working in a daycare or preschool setting. Experience with lesson planning and child development is also helpful.
Teachers are responsible for supervising and caring for children, including teaching, facilitating, feeding, and changing diapers. Our Kids Garden team has extensive training to help a new Kids Garden Employee. Our teachers also organize activities, help children with stations/work, and ensure the safety of all children in their care.
Yes, there are opportunities for advancement in the education field with Kids Garden. With additional education and experience, you can advance to roles such as lead teacher, assistant director, or director of a Kids Garden center.
Working in a creative arts learning center can be rewarding but also challenging. It requires patience, empathy, and a genuine love for working with children. If you enjoy helping children learn and grow and are passionate about making a difference in their lives, a career in a learning center could be right for you.
