Lil Kernel Academy
Our Mission
Lil Kernel Academy provides high-quality care and education in a nurturing, reliable environment where children feel safe, supported, and ready to grow in Mitchell, South Dakota.
With over 24 years of experience in childcare, our foundation is built on trust, consistency, and a genuine love for helping children thrive. As the need for care in the community continues to grow, we’ve expanded into a center to serve more families while maintaining the same personal, attentive approach.
About Us
Our Core Values
1. Nurture
We believe that children reach their fullest potential through nurturing and secure developmentally appropriate learning environments with caring and attentive adults and meaningful relationships with their peers.
2. Family
We believe the family is a child’s first teacher and the experts on their child. Supporting a child to reach their full potential means partnering closely with the family.
3. Education
We believe educators are the heart and soul of the school and we are committed uplifting and celebrating our teachers’ professional growth through professional development, compensation, and other benefits.
Testimonials
Trusted by Parents.
Seriously! But don’t take our word for it, here are some things people have to say about us.
“I truly don’t have enough good things to say about this daycare. My son is learning something new every day, and he is incredibly smart – I genuinely believe that’s a result of the nurturing and educational environment they provide. One of the things I value most as parent is their open communication and open-door policy. It gives me so much peace of mind. I also love receiving daily pictures of my child participating in activities, it’s such a special touch. The staff is patient, knowledgeable, kind, and always so joyful. My son is excited every single day to walk through the doors and see them, which speaks volumes. We are so grateful to be part of such a wonderful daycare community.”
— Current Parent
“
“As a first time mom, my first daycare experience was challenging, and we ultimately chose to leave due to concerns about our child’s care. When we came to Deb, I was understandably cautious. However, it didn’t take long to see a positive change in my son, especially during drop-off and pick-up. That reassurance gave me the confidence to trust Deb and her staff with his care. Deb and her team are truly wonderful, and as we transition into the Center at Lil Kernels Academy, we would highly recommend Lil Kernels Academy to families seeking peace of mind—especially first time parents. One of my favorite parts about this daycare is the Brightwheel app, which helps me stay connected throughout the day. The updates and occasional photos truly make my heart smile.”
— Current Parent
“
“As soon as I found out I was pregnant there was no doubt in my mind who I was going to send my baby to. My daughter has gone to Deb since she was 12 weeks old. All of the staff are excellent and go above and beyond for the kids. Any time I walk through the door it’s nothing but a fun, loving, and learning environment. The staff accommodate to every single kid and their needs. They follow consistent routines which has been very beneficial to my daughter. I would choose Deb a million times over when it comes to childcare.”
— Current Parent
“
FAQs
You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers
-
Monday - Friday: 6:30 am - 6 pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED -
Check out our Classrooms page for specific ratios for each classroom.
-
We are not currently offering part-time care, but we are happy to accommodate drop-ins if we have room. Please contact us via phone or email to inquire about drop-ins.