Business Details
29 Years
experience
Reggio Emilia-Inspired Child Care in Olathe
Top Flight Kids Learning Center has been a trusted provider of quality child care for over 25 years, serving families in Olathe, Kansas. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach creates learning environments that extend the warmth of home, where teachers observe children at play and nurture their natural curiosity. We focus on holistic development, offering structured programs for infants through pre-kindergarten aged children, with a curriculum tailored to individual needs and interests. Our dedicated staff, many of whom have served for over a decade, prioritize strong teacher-child-family bonds through continuity of care models. We maintain rigorous safety standards while fostering creativity through literacy, science, art, music, and outdoor exploration.Parents benefit from daily communication updates and high-resolution activity photos, ensuring transparency and connection throughout the child's learning journey. Our facility features an indoor playground for inclement weather days and a professional chef preparing nutritious meals onsite. Accredited partnerships with FAA and Federal employee programs demonstrate our commitment to serving diverse family needs. Twice-yearly progress reports and parent-teacher conferences track developmental milestones, preparing children for successful kindergarten transitions. With flexible scheduling options and extended hours available, we accommodate nontraditional work schedules while maintaining a family-like atmosphere that children eagerly anticipate each day.
Services
Infant Care
Toddler Programs
Preschool Education
After-School Care
Summer Camp
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We've specialized in early childhood education since 1997 with experienced staff
- Our Reggio Emilia-inspired classrooms foster natural curiosity and creativity
- Primary caregiver model ensures strong teacher-child-family relationships
- Indoor playground maintains activity options during Kansas weather extremes
- Professional chef prepares nutritious meals onsite daily
What people say
Loves learning
Amazing teachers
Daily communication
Feels like family
Great curriculum
Services
Infant Care
Our infant classrooms provide nurturing environments where primary caregivers support developmental milestones at each child's pace. Teachers maintain consistent care groups through developmental transitions, creating secure bonds that foster emotional growth. Daily schedules adapt to individual needs while introducing foundational learning experiences through sensory play and gentle exploration.
Toddler Programs
Two dedicated toddler spaces encourage independence through structured play and cognitive development activities. Children develop communication skills, learn to verbalize needs, and receive potty training support in a patient, encouraging environment. Classrooms balance group activities with individualized attention to match toddlers' rapid growth phases.
Preschool Education
Multi-age classrooms for 3-5 year olds combine structured curriculum with child-led exploration. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach emphasizes literacy, math concepts, and creative expression while preparing children for kindergarten transitions. Individual portfolios document progress through work samples, photos, and developmental assessments.
After-School Care
Extended care program supports children beyond traditional school hours with homework assistance, enrichment activities, and supervised play. Certified staff maintain safe environments for social development while accommodating parents' scheduling needs through flexible attendance options.
Summer Camp
Themed summer activities keep children engaged through educational play, outdoor exploration, and creative projects. Certified instructors lead age-appropriate programs that maintain developmental progress while providing fun, structured experiences during school breaks.
People
John Ricklefs
Business Manager
John has led Top Flight Kids as owner and business manager for over 25 years, demonstrating leadership through example. His multi-faceted approach ensures operational excellence while maintaining the center's family-oriented culture.
Nicki Englund
Director
Director Nicki Englund holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas. With 20+ years in childcare, she combines academic expertise with practical experience to shape our educational programs.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We care for children from 6 weeks through 6 years old, offering specialized programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.
What are your operating hours?
Our center operates Monday-Friday from 6:00am-6:00pm with extended hours available for FAA employees requiring nontraditional schedules.
What educational approach do you use?
We implement a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum that emphasizes natural curiosity-driven learning through observation, exploration, and child-led projects.
How do you communicate with parents?
Parents receive daily email updates with classroom activity photos and information, plus bi-annual progress reports and scheduled parent-teacher conferences.
Are meals provided?
Yes, our professional chef prepares breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks daily using fresh ingredients in our onsite kitchen.
Do you offer after-school programs?
Our after-school care provides homework assistance, enrichment activities, and supervised play for children needing care beyond traditional school hours.
