Roots & Wings Early Learning Center

Rob and Krista Sjostrand had a vision for what they wanted in an early childhood center. 

It should serve the needs of the Grand Rapids area, which like many communities around Greater Minnesota, have a childcare shortage. That was an easy box to check. 

Next they wanted it to be rooted in the values of nature, education and nondenominational Christianity. As the idea unfolded on paper and a few dozen acres were purchased, the $4.2 million, 10,000 square-foot facility came to life over five years. 

In April, the first children made their way into Roots & Wings Early Learning Center in Coleraine, which the Sjostrands hope will open doors to a “second home” for the families attending. The building has capacity to hold 120 kids and enrollment sat around 30 this month, with future commitments at nearly 70%.

“The idea here was not to put iPads in a kid's hands and have them staring at a screen,” Rob said. “They spend most of their time outside. That was the promise to the parents. That’s what we’re planning.”

From a sky view, the building is designed in the shape of a cross, with the entrance and doors leading to the outdoor playground making up the cross bar. Inside, each age group room has a different touch of care ranging from low-to-the-ground toilets and sinks for the training-aged kids to wall-mounted changing tables that maximize space in the infant room. 

Their second home plan will feature a functioning kitchen on site with “Chef Jessica” making homemade meals delivered to the classrooms, so everyone can eat their lunch family style. The culinary side also includes ways to involve the kids in making breads or other items, Rob said, reminding himself that food can be fun when teaching about it.

The outside space at Roots & Wings is where the Sjostrands vision really comes to life. Beyond the playground equipment is a walking trail that goes partially through the 25-plus acres extending past the fence.

A preschool class has already started to learn maple tree tapping, which will fill bags that Rob or Krista can haul back to the building on a tractor to process. The future could lead to a series of yurts for kids to stop and sit in during their winter walks. 

“We've talked about it so much, like, the building's great but what's going to sell the program and make people actually want to be here is the staff,” Krista said. “They're so dedicated and this was a huge leap of faith to do this.”