Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center

What Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center does

Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center is a state-registered non-profit early childhood education provider operating from a single facility at 201 E. 104th St. in Bloomington, Minnesota, where it has served the Twin Cities area for over 20 years. The center operates as a ministry of Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church and is structured across three age-segmented core programs: Infant Care (Turtle Classroom 6 weeks-12 months, Penguin Classroom 12-16 months), Toddler Care (Alligators 16-24 months, Koala Bears 24-36 months), and Preschool Care (Monkey 36 months-4 years, Tiger 3.5-4.5 years, Giraffe year-before-kindergarten), supported by a seasonal Summer Camp for enrolled children up to age 7. The instructional backbone is the Creative Curriculum framework by Diane Trister Dodge, providing 38 research-based learning objectives from birth through third grade, overlaid with a daily Christ-centered component that includes Jesus time, weekly chapel, Bible stories, scripture memorization, and prayer.

The business model is direct-to-consumer tuition-based recurring subscription revenue, billed weekly with rates stratified by child age and number of attendance days; Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church members receive a 10% tuition discount, and an optional hot lunch catering add-on is offered at $2.50 per day. The center maintains low student-to-teacher ratios (1:4 infants, 1:7 toddlers, 1:10 preschoolers), holds Parent Aware Rated status from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and is annually licensed by the State of Minnesota. Distribution is entirely in-person at the single Bloomington site, with go-to-market driven by church-network referrals, parent word-of-mouth in the Bloomington community, in-person tours, and a website-based inquiry/registration flow. Co-curricular enrichment is delivered through core strategic partnerships with Soccer Shots (year-round weekly soccer for ages 3-5) and Dancercise Kids (weekly dance/movement), plus a network of minor local business community supporters including restaurants, grocery stores, and cultural venues such as the Crayola Experience and Guthrie Theater.

Name

Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center

Legal name

Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center

Website

https://openarmsecc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center is a non-profit, faith-based childcare provider in Bloomington, Minnesota, operated by Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church. It delivers the Creative Curriculum framework across infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms with daily Christ-centered programming, serving individual families in the Twin Cities area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education and Childcare Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child Care Services (624410), Child Care Services (6244)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDACAAAF

Infant-Focused Childcare Centers

Education/Early Childhood Education/Daycare & Childcare Centers

SECONDARYEDACAAAG

Toddler-Focused Childcare Centers

Education/Early Childhood Education/Daycare & Childcare Centers

SECONDARYEDACAGAA

Center-Based Infant Care (0–18 months)

Education/Early Childhood Education/Infant & Toddler Care Programs

SECONDARYEDACAGAB

Center-Based Toddler Care (18–36 months)

Education/Early Childhood Education/Infant & Toddler Care Programs

SECONDARYEDACACAK

Faith-Based Nursery & Playgroups

Education/Early Childhood Education/Nursery Schools & Playgroups

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Childcare services
• Faith-based preschool
• Infant daycare
• Toddler care program

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Childcare Fees: Full-time and part-time childcare tuition charges based on children's ages and number of days attended. Primary revenue stream for the non-profit early childhood center. Breakfast and afternoon snack provided for children over 12 months. Optional hot lunch catering available for $2.50/day.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center is a state-registered non-profit childcare and early education provider operating a single facility in Bloomington, Minnesota, where it delivers age-tiered programs (Infant Care 6 weeks–16 months, Toddler Care 16–36 months, Preschool Care 36 months–5 years) built on the Creative Curriculum framework and infused with daily Christ-centered instruction. Revenue comes from recurring weekly tuition, with Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church members receiving a 10% discount, and the core service is supplemented by an annual summer camp and partner-led co-curricular activities (Dancercise Kids, Soccer Shots).

Product overview

Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center offers a comprehensive early childhood education program with three core age-based programs: Infant Care (Turtles and Penguin classrooms for ages 6 weeks to 16 months), Toddler Care (Alligator and Koala Bears classrooms for ages 16-36 months), and Preschool Care (Monkey, Tiger, and Giraffe classrooms for ages 36 months to kindergarten). The center supplements its core programs with Creative Curriculum-based framework and co-curricular activities including Dancercise Kids (dance and movement), Soccer Shots (soccer for ages 3-5), and an annual summer camp program (June-August for children up to age 7). The Christ-centered program operates Monday-Friday 6:30am-6pm and is operated by Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infant Care Program Licensed childcare program providing a safe, nurturing environment for babies from 6 weeks to 16 months, with one-on-one teacher interaction, sensory-based learning, individualized care plans, daily Jesus time, sign language, and developmental milestone support across the Turtle Classroom (6 weeks–12 months) and Penguin Classroom (12–16 months).
• Toddler Care Program Development-focused program for children 16–36 months emphasizing independence, social skills, emotional growth, potty training partnership, and self-help skill development through hands-on learning and play, offered in the Alligators Classroom (16–24 months) and Koala Bears Classroom (24–36 months).
• Preschool Care Program Kindergarten preparation program for children 36 months to 5 years focused on early literacy, math skills, social interaction, Bible knowledge, and school readiness, offered in the Monkey Classroom (36 months–4 years), Tiger Classroom (3.5–4.5 years), and Giraffe Classroom (year before kindergarten).
• Summer Camp Program On-site annual summer camp program running June through August for enrolled children up to age 7, featuring activities such as a petting zoo, pony rides, professional storytellers, science experiments, and outdoor activities.
• Dancercise Kids Weekly 30-minute dance and music program teaching ballet, tap, jazz technique, tumbling, sign language, and creative movement to children enrolled at Open Arms, focused on healthy habits, manners, communication skills, and confidence.
• Soccer Shots Year-round, age-appropriate soccer introduction program for children ages 3–5 at Open Arms, delivered in 9-week sessions with once-weekly 30-minute classes focused on gross motor skills, teamwork, sharing, and basic soccer concepts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children develop relationship with Christ, knowledge of the Bible, and are beyond Kindergarten Ready upon graduation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Leeann ChinminorOthersLocal Bloomington restaurant partner. Located at 9727 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420. Community supporter of the childcare center.
• Davanni'sminorOthersLocal restaurant at 8605 Lyndale Ave S Bloomington MN 55420. Community business partner supporting the center.
• Dairy QueenminorOthersNational chain location at 9304 Lyndale Ave. S Bloomington MN 55420. Community supporter.
• Cub FoodsminorOthersGrocery store at 8421 Lyndale Ave South Bloomington, MN 55420. Community partner.
• Lunds and Byerly'sminorOthersGrocery store at 5159 West 98th Street Bloomington MN 55437. Community supporter.
• Soccer ShotscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally recognized soccer program offered year-round at Open Arms for children ages 3-5. 9-week sessions with once weekly 30-minute classes. Focus on gross motor skills, teamwork, sharing and respect. Instructors are enthusiastic about working with kids.
• Crayola ExperienceminorOthersAttraction at Mall of America, 300 South Ave. Bloomington MN 55425. Community partner providing creative experiences.
• Dancercise KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic and movement curriculum offered at Open Arms including ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, sign language, and creative movement. Teaches healthy habits, manners, communication skills, and confidence. Weekly 30-minute classes.
• Holy Emmanuel Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperating church ministry that runs Open Arms as a state-registered non-profit. Provides chapel services, pastoral leadership, and faith-based framework. Church members receive 10% tuition discount.
• Guthrie TheaterminorOthersMajor theater at 818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Cultural partner providing arts exposure for children.
• Taste of Scandinavia Bakery and CafeminorOthersLocal bakery at 401 West 98th Street Bloomington, MN 55420. Community business partner.
• Towneplace Suites by MarriottminorOthersHotel at 2500 Lindau Lane Bloomington, MN 55425. Jessica Worden is General Manager. Community supporter for families and events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Regional players

• New Horizon Academy: Minnesota-headquartered early childhood education provider with centers across the Upper Midwest. The closest regional peer given shared geography (Minnesota) and similar center-based, age-tiered programs.

Broad incumbents

• The Goddard School: Franchise system of private early childhood schools offering infant through pre-K programs with a play-based curriculum. Direct product overlap with Open Arms' three age-tiered programs.
• Primrose Schools: National franchise system of private early childhood schools offering infant care through pre-kindergarten with proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum. Comparable center-based model with branded curriculum similar to Open Arms' Creative Curriculum approach.
• Learning Care Group: Operator of multiple early childhood brands (Childtime, Tutor Time, etc.) serving infants through school-age children nationally. Same center-based, tuition-funded model as Open Arms at much larger scale.
• La Petite Academy: National daycare and preschool chain serving infants through school-age children. Same age-tiered center-based model as Open Arms, with comparable tuition-driven revenue model.
• Children of America: Private early childhood education provider with multiple centers offering infant, toddler, and preschool programs. Comparable age-tiered center model, but operates across multiple U.S. states rather than a single community.
• KinderCare Learning Centers: National for-profit chain operating thousands of early childhood centers across the U.S. Directly comparable category (center-based daycare and preschool) but vastly larger scale and secular positioning.
• Cadence Education: One of the largest private early childhood education providers in the U.S., operating more than 200 schools. Closely comparable product offering (infant care through preschool) and tuition-driven unit economics.
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions: Large public early childhood education provider serving infants through preschoolers, primarily via employer-sponsored centers. Overlapping product (infant/toddler/preschool care) but very different go-to-market and customer base.

Emerging players

• Guidepost Montessori: Growing Montessori-focused early childhood network offering infant through elementary programs. Comparable center-based delivery but differentiated by Montessori pedagogy rather than faith-based or Creative Curriculum frameworks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/open-arms-christian-early-childhood-center

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Open Arms Christian Early Childhood Center