Tamarack Learning Center (TLC) Child Care
The Full Story
About us...
TLC is a DHS licensed child care center which opened in April 2025 by Nicole & James Elvidge in TAMARACK, MN. Nicole (Niki) & James (Jim) restored & remodeled the old school in an effort to open a new learning center & child care for the children who live in and around the surrounding areas.
This is Nicole’s 4th childcare center she has opened and officially named it "Tamarack Learning Center
Child Care" in honor of the tradition of providing an education for all children in the local area. This small town of Tamarack original Schoolhouse was built in 1913. The School officially closed in 1968.
For many years the "Tamarack Activities Club" kept this building alive & useful by holding community
based fun activities, dinners & celebrations for many families. Conveniently located off of
State Hwy 210, by a small community public park, Sam's Meat Processing, Village Pump Saloon,
Sno Flyers Club, Hanni's Plumbing, Talon Metals Corporation, & the town's own City Hall & Post Office.
TLC is licensed to care for 49 children ages 6 weeks - 12 Years old. Open year-round M-F 7am-5pm.
It took over a year & a half, with lots of obstacles to overcome (as you can image with a 100+ year old building). TLC received financial support from Lake Country Power (LCP - c/o Dan Cooper) Provided generous funding through their 2023 Rebate program. Aitkin County (c/o Mark Jeffers) who provided Grant money through their Childcare Acceleration fund offered by MN DEED. Northland Foundation (Child Care
Resources c/o Zane, Taylor, Amanda & Carol) provided additional grant money. Arrowhead Regional
Development Commission (ARDC - Chad Ricord) provided a low interest Loan, Talon Metals Corp.
(c/o Jessica Johnson) Provided the Inspiration for this endeavor & some valuable marketing
assistance & the remaining funds were provided by Niki & Jim directly.
Our Philosophy
& Mission Statement
It is our Philosophy that
“Our children are our future and
when Child Care works, everyone can work”
So our Mission is to provide a loving, high quality,
affordable program using “Best Practices” in which
all children, as unique as they are, can be healthy in
a safe, loving and nurturing environment that will
help them Learn & Grow developmentally, cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally. Taking into account their individual abilities and interests we will offer challenges and encourage their imagination and model strong language development while encouraging and stimulating critical thinking, self-sufficiency and motivation by providing access to materials and opportunities to discover themselves and practice their skills in authentic situations where they can learn to problem solve in an unbiased atmosphere, where they feel loved and can create friendships, build confidence and the self-esteem they need to enjoy life productively and be responsible and successful adults.
Standards
TLC is licensed & complies with the standards set forth by the Department of Human Services in the State of MN for high quality childcare of up to 8 infants, 14 toddlers & a combined total of 27 preschool & school age, not to exceed 49 total children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.
TLC admits children of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights generally accorded or made available to all students at the school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin in administration policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletic and other administered programs, including volunteer opportunities in any way.
TLC is fully insured according to the Department of Human Service Standards and the Director has been providing quality childcare in Minnesota for over 40 years. This Center is in the process of receiving a 4 Star rating through Parent Aware & is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Our program will meet or exceed the researched based “best practices” to provide the highest quality of care and standards in the industry.
