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 Summerville, 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
Kasey Watson-Lefferts
Kids Garden Summerville Owner / Director
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Mrs. Kasey is the owner and director of Kids Garden Summerville. After moving from NY to SC in 2016, she realized the truth behind “it takes a village.” She juggled raising her children and working full time as a home health occupational therapist for years while struggling to find consistent child care. It wasn’t until she discovered Kids Garden Charleston for her son, Stratton, that she found the peace of mind that she had been looking for, for years. She knew from the first day at Kids Garden that she needed to bring this concept to the families of Summerville!
Dorothea Gerber
Kids Garden Summerville Assistant Director
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Dorothea is a mother of two children aged 10 and 6. With a bachelor’s degree in music from. Brevard College, she has been spending her last several years immersed in the arts. She is an artist, previously a children’s art teacher at Public Works Art Center and homeschooling parent of five years. Dorothea’s teaching experience also includes teaching first grade at Highlands Latin Cottage School. Her favorite part about teaching is seeing children’s eyes light up and their excitement when they “get it!” She has a special cherished file at home full of her student’s artwork and letters given to her over the years. Dorothea’s free time is spent in the outdoors either in her garden, boating, or camping.
About Kids Garden
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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 2-5 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.
