Nature Pathways Early Learning Center opened December 1, 2025 on the former Children’s Country Day School property, a seven-acre model farm in Mendota Heights.

Nature Pathways is a nature and farm-based child care program serving children ages 16 months to 5 years. During the summer, children who have completed Kindergarten may also enroll in the Summer Camp program.

To support a smooth transition and ensure the continuation of a long-standing tradition of high-quality, licensed child care, Anna Dutke will co-own Nature Pathways with Gayle Johnson, former co-owner of Children’s Country Day School, for one year.