Infant & Toddler Childcare in Custer, SD
A nurturing, Montessori-inspired infant and toddler program in the heart of the Black Hills.
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Infant & Toddler Care in the Black Hills
Infant & Toddler Care in the Black Hills
A Nurturing Start for Growing Minds
A Nurturing Start for Growing Minds
Growing Roots is preparing to open a Montessori-inspired 0–3 childcare program for infants and toddlers in Custer, South Dakota. This program will provide a calm, nurturing environment where young children can move, explore, connect, and grow during their earliest years of development.
Our infant and toddler classroom will be designed to support:
Secure relationships with trusted caregivers
Independence and confidence
Language and movement development
Practical life skills and everyday routines
Sensory exploration and hands-on learning
Respectful, responsive care
Our goal is to create a peaceful, home-like environment where infants and toddlers feel safe, seen, and supported as they begin to discover the world around them.
Schedule & Enrollment Options
Schedule & Enrollment Options
Program Hours
Program Hours
Monday – Friday Only
We do not offer weekend care.
Full Day
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Drop-off: 7:30 – 8:00 AM
Pick-up: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Half Day Morning Childcare
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Drop-off: 7:30 – 8:00 AM
Pick-up: 12:00 PM
Enrollment Options
Enrollment Options
Choose from:
5 days per week
3 days per week
2 days per week
Specific days are determined individually with each family based on:
Parent work schedules
Program availability
What best supports the child’s experience
Note: Because infants and toddlers benefit from consistency, secure relationships, and predictable routines, available schedules may differ from those offered in our preschool program.
2026–2027 Tuition
2026–2027 Tuition
Tuition rates for the Growing Roots 0–3 program are currently being finalized.
Growing Roots will share tuition details for the 2026–2027 program year once staffing, scheduling, classroom capacity, and licensing details are confirmed.
Please note:
Enrollment capacity will be determined by classroom size, staffing, and South Dakota childcare licensing requirements.
Families pay a one-time, non-refundable $20 enrollment fee when enrollment is confirmed.
Scholarship and tuition assistance opportunities are available.
Additional enrollment information will be shared as program details are finalized.
Scholarships Available
Scholarships Available
0-3 Childcare Tuition Assistance
0-3 Childcare Tuition Assistance
Growing Roots is committed to helping make high-quality early childhood care more accessible for families in Custer and surrounding Black Hills communities.
Scholarship and tuition assistance opportunities are available for the 0–3 program. Our scholarship process is designed to be simple, respectful, and confidential.
Daily Rhythm
Daily Rhythm
Our 0–3 program will follow a calm, predictable daily rhythm designed around the developmental needs of infants and toddlers.
Young children benefit from consistency, but their individual needs do not always fit neatly into a single classroom schedule. Teachers will balance each child’s feeding, sleep, care, and developmental needs with the predictable rhythm of the classroom.
Morning Routines
Morning Routines
Mornings may include arrival and connection with caregivers, independent exploration, movement, sensory activities, outdoor time when appropriate, and practical life experiences.
Children will have opportunities to engage with developmentally appropriate Montessori-inspired materials, practice emerging skills, and build secure relationships with teachers and peers.
Meals, Bottles & Care Routines
Meals, Bottles & Care Routines
Daily care routines are an important part of the infant and toddler experience. Feeding, bottles, diapering, toileting, handwashing, dressing, and transitions are treated as meaningful opportunities for connection, language, independence, and trust.
Families and teachers will communicate closely about each child’s feeding needs, nap schedule, comfort items, routines, and changing developmental needs.
Afternoon Routines
Afternoon Routines
Afternoons may include rest, quiet play, outdoor time, music, stories, movement, and continued hands-on exploration.
Teachers will support each child’s individual needs while maintaining a peaceful and predictable classroom environment.
Nature, Movement & Outdoor Play
Nature, Movement & Outdoor Play
Outdoor time is an important part of life at Growing Roots.
Infants and toddlers will have developmentally appropriate opportunities to experience fresh air, movement, changing seasons, and the natural environment around them.
As children grow, outdoor experiences provide opportunities to move, explore, observe, build confidence, and develop a connection with the Black Hills environment.
Partnering with Families
Partnering with Families
Strong communication between home and school is especially important during the first three years of life.
Growing Roots teachers will work closely with families to understand each child’s routines, temperament, feeding and sleep needs, emerging skills, and developmental changes.
As children grow, families and teachers can work together to support consistency, secure relationships, and increasing independence both at home and at school.
Is our Montessori-Inspired 0-3 Program Right for Your Family?
Is our Montessori-Inspired 0-3 Program Right for Your Family?
Our 0–3 program is being designed for families who value respectful care, independence, connection, and a calm environment for infants and toddlers.
This program may be a strong fit for families who value:
Gentle, responsive caregiving
Consistent routines and secure relationships
Independence at each child’s developmental level
Outdoor time and connection with nature
Respectful communication with young children
Practical life skills and hands-on exploration
A peaceful, Montessori-inspired classroom environment
In a 0–3 classroom, learning happens through movement, repetition, observation, language, care routines, exploration, and meaningful connection.
Young children are not rushed. They are supported as they develop confidence, trust, and independence in their own time.
How to Enroll in the 0-3 Program
How to Enroll in the 0-3 Program
Growing Roots is currently preparing for the launch of our new infant and toddler program in Fall 2026.
Because the 0–3 classroom will have very limited capacity, enrollment details and availability will be shared as staffing, licensing, schedules, and classroom plans are finalized.
Families interested in the program are welcome to contact Growing Roots with questions about future availability.
To find out more information:
Fill out an interest form for your child.
Speak with our team about your family’s childcare needs and current availability.
Receive program details, including schedule and tuition information.
Complete required enrollment paperwork if a space is available.
Submit the one-time, non-refundable $20 enrollment fee and other required fees.
Enrollment is confirmed once paperwork, fees, and classroom availability are finalized.
Note: Contacting Growing Roots about the program does not guarantee placement. The infant and toddler classroom will have very limited availability, and enrollment will depend on classroom capacity, staffing, licensing requirements, schedules, and program availability.
2026 - 2027 School Calendar
2026 - 2027 School Calendar
Growing Roots preschool and childcare in Custer, South Dakota operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM during the school year, August through May.
We follow weather closures observed by the Custer School District. Morning preschool programs will be canceled on days with delayed starts.
First Day of Program: August 31, 2026
Last Day of Program: May 28, 2027
Scheduled Closures
September 7: Labor Day Holiday
November 25-26: Thanksgiving Break:
December 21-25: Christmas Break
January 31-1: Winter Staff Inservice
March 25-29: Spring Staff Inservice
April 16: Staff Inservice Day
New! Download the 2026-2027 Growing Roots School Calendar
Montessori-Inspired Infant & Toddler Care in Custer, South Dakota
Montessori-Inspired Infant & Toddler Care in Custer, South Dakota
Growing Roots is excited to expand early childhood care for families in Custer and surrounding Black Hills communities through our new Montessori-inspired infant and toddler program.
We are currently preparing the classroom and finalizing program details for Fall 2026.
Families interested in future 0–3 childcare are welcome to contact Growing Roots with questions about availability, enrollment, tuition, scholarships, or whether the program may be a good fit for their family.
Submit your interest form to find out more about our new 0-3 program!
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