A Safe Place to Grow, Learn, and Thrive
We are more than just caregivers — we’re educators, mentors, and trusted partners to the families we serve. Our dedicated team brings warmth and experience to every interaction, helping children build confidence, independence, and curiosity through play-based learning and individualized attention.
We pride ourselves on creating a home-away-from-home atmosphere where children feel safe and valued. Through open communication and strong partnerships with parents, we ensure that each child’s developmental journey is supported every step of the way.
Our Story: Where every child’s journey toward confidence and curiosity begins
At Little Bobcats Daycare, our journey began with a simple yet profound vision: to create a place where children could explore, learn, and flourish in an environment that felt as loving as home. It all started in early 2022, when our founder and director, Emily Larson, recognized a gap in Maddock’s early childhood offerings. Though there were established centers focused on basic care, Emily saw a community need for a program that nurtured the whole child—intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. As a mother herself, Emily wanted more than drop-off supervision; she dreamed of a space where her own young daughter could engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences under the guidance of compassionate professionals.
With that dream in mind, Emily spent months researching best practices in early childhood education, attending workshops on project-based learning, and meeting with child development specialists. She gathered feedback from local parents, teachers, and pediatricians to understand what families valued most: safety, warmth, and a genuine commitment to growth. In late 2022, with the support of a small group of dedicated educators—including preschool teacher Danielle Morgan and toddler specialist Mark Nguyen—Emily opened the doors of Little Bobcats Daycare at 109 Central Avenue, Maddock. What began as a modest classroom of twelve children soon blossomed into a vibrant community hub, drawing toddlers and preschoolers from across Cavalier County.
From day one, we embraced a “little to big” philosophy: start small with age-appropriate activities, then gradually stretch a child’s capabilities so they feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. Our original classroom walls were painted in calming, nature-inspired hues—soft greens and sandy tans—symbolizing growth and stability. We stocked our shelves with sensory tables, building blocks, child-sized easels, and a rotating library of bilingual storybooks. Parents noticed immediately how their children’s eyes would light up at the sight of colorful materials, and how caregivers took the time to observe each child’s interests before guiding them toward new learning opportunities.
In those early months, we hosted “Welcome Wednesdays,” inviting families to pop in for tea, meet fellow parents, and witness their children experimenting with water play, finger paint, or puzzles. This transparency fostered trust: families saw us not merely as babysitters, but as partners invested in every child’s success. By the summer of 2023, we had added an infant-and-toddler room, complete with soft nap nooks, sensory-motor play equipment, and rocking chairs for caregivers to hold and bond with our youngest bobcats. That fall, word-of-mouth led to a waitlist—a testament to the genuine need for our unique approach.
Today, Little Bobcats Daycare stands proudly as a cornerstone of the Maddock community. Every time a child masters a new skill—whether it’s tying their shoes, counting to ten, or using words to express feelings—we see the fruits of that original dream. Our walls may have expanded, and our staff grown to include assistants and specialist educators, but our founding ethos remains the same: nurture curiosity, foster confidence, and build partnerships with families so each little bobcat can step into their “big” future knowing they are supported, celebrated, and loved.
Our Core Values: Guiding Every Little Paw
At Little Bobcats Daycare, our values guide every decision, interaction, and lesson. We believe that young children thrive when nurtured in an environment built on these core principles:
Curiosity & Exploration
At Little Bobcats Daycare, we believe that every child is born with a natural desire to understand the world around them. Our classrooms and play areas are deliberately set up to spark wonder: sensory tables brimming with tactile materials, open-ended building blocks for constructing towers or imaginatively re-creating real-world scenarios, and themed exploration stations—like a “Mini Garden” corner where children can dig, plant, and observe seeds sprout. Rather than relying on rote lessons, we guide children toward asking questions, experimenting through hands-on activities, and finding answers by doing. When a toddler carefully pours water from one cup to another, or when a preschooler mixes colored paint to discover new hues, they’re not just playing—they’re learning cause-and-effect, developing problem-solving skills, and refining fine-motor control. By honoring their innate curiosity, we cultivate a love of discovery that carries into later childhood and beyond.
Compassionate Relationships
A child’s sense of security and self-worth blossoms when they feel seen, heard, and supported. That’s why, at Little Bobcats Daycare, compassionate relationships form the cornerstone of our caregiving philosophy. From the moment a little bobcat arrives, our educators use warm greetings, gentle eye contact, and responsive listening to build trust. When a young one cries during drop–off, caregivers validate the emotion—offering a soothing hug, calm words, and a transition toy—rather than dismissing tears or rushing separation. Throughout each day, staff members practice positive reinforcement: praising effort (“I see how carefully you stacked those blocks!”), modeling empathy (“I know it can be frustrating when your tower falls; let’s try again together”), and guiding conflict resolution (“Let’s use our words to share the red truck, or find another toy while we wait our turn”). These interactions teach children that their feelings matter, laying the foundation for self-regulation, kindness toward peers, and the confidence to tackle new challenges.
Family Collaboration
We recognize that parents and guardians are the child’s first and most important teachers, and their insights are invaluable. Rather than operating in a vacuum, Little Bobcats Daycare actively partners with families every step of the way. Each morning and evening, caregivers share real-time digital updates—photos of art projects, mealtime notes, nap schedules, and social highlights—so parents feel connected even when they’re apart. We host monthly “Family Circles,” inviting parents, siblings, and grandparents to join us for snack time or a read-aloud session, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. During parent–teacher conferences, we listen attentively to individual goals or concerns—whether a toddler’s picky eating habits at home or a preschooler’s fascination with dinosaurs—and adjust classroom experiences to align with each child’s interests and needs. By maintaining open lines of communication, soliciting feedback, and celebrating milestones together, we ensure consistency between home and daycare. When families and caregivers collaborate closely, children benefit from a cohesive learning environment that reinforces positive behaviors, strengthens emotional security, and accelerates developmental progress.
Why We Exist
At our core, Little Bobcats Daycare exists because we believe that the earliest years—ages 6 weeks through 5 years—are the most formative. Brain research tells us that neural connections are formed at an astonishing rate during this window. We aren’t simply “babysitters”; we are architects of possibility. By intentionally designing an environment rich in trust, exploration, and emotional support, we give each child the chance to develop a growth mindset, self-confidence, and a genuine love for learning.
When parents entrust us with their most precious treasures, it is both an honor and a responsibility we never take lightly. Our commitment goes beyond the classroom: we strive to be a steadfast resource for families, sharing milestones, challenges, and celebrations alike. We measure our success not only by school-readiness metrics or assessment scores, but by the laughter echoing down our hallways, the shy toddler’s first word, the preschooler’s proud discovery that 2 + 2 = 4, and the collective joy when little bobcats gather for group songs.
1. Commitment to Equity & Inclusion
Little Bobcats Daycare embraces diversity in all its forms. We:
Foster Cultural Awareness: Monthly “Cultural Celebrations” highlight various traditions—Diwali, Lunar New Year, Juneteenth—helping children learn respect, empathy, and appreciation for global communities.
Welcome All Families: No matter your cultural background, language spoken at home, or socioeconomic status, we make accommodations—whether that’s bilingual materials, sliding-scale tuition assistance, or sensory-sensitive play areas.
Support Children with Special Needs: We work closely with therapists, early intervention specialists, and local school districts to ensure individualized plans, accommodations, and modifications that help every child succeed.
2. Family & Community Engagement
Daily Digital Updates
Through our secure app, parents receive real-time information: diaper changes, meal reports, nap times, and photos of key learning moments. This transparency ensures parents feel connected to their child’s day.
Parent Workshops & Support Groups
Once a month, our center hosts evening workshops—topics range from “Positive Discipline Strategies” to “Strengthening Early Literacy at Home.” We invite local experts (child psychologists, speech therapists, nutritionists) to share research-based strategies and answer questions.
We collaborate with the Maddock Public Library for biweekly storytelling sessions and the local fire department for an annual “Safety Day” where children learn about fire safety, meet firefighters, and explore fire trucks firsthand.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, our vision remains clear: expand access to high-quality early childhood education throughout rural North Dakota, while preserving the intimate, family-like atmosphere that sets us apart. Plans for 2026 include:
- Opening a satellite location in nearby Cando, ND, to serve even more families.
- Establishing a scholarship fund for families facing financial hardship.
- Launching a “Little Bobcats Learning Through Music” initiative, collaborating with local musicians to integrate music education into daily routines.
Through each new step, our guiding principle remains unchanged: every child deserves a nurturing environment where curiosity thrives, confidence blossoms, and families feel supported. At Little Bobcats Daycare, our story is still being written—one small, triumphant “aha” moment at a time.