A framed photo of past students and a poem titled “A Second Home” hangs above Director Roberta Root’s desk at Today’s Life School and Child Care in Eden Prairie, MN, reflecting the everyday reality for families who walk through the doors.
We sat down with Roberta and Tamara Donsoy, the owner of Today’s Life, to talk about their program, their growth, and how support from Think Small has helped strengthen their work.
Building Consistency and Quality
With decades of experience in early childhood education, the team at Today’s Life has intentionally built a program that prioritizes consistency for both children and educators.
Years ago, each teacher created their own weekly lesson plans. But that led to uneven experiences across classrooms.
“We had strong teachers, and then if someone left, the program would go up and down,” Roberta explained. “So, we created our own curriculum to keep it consistent.”
Their curriculum, developed in 2007 and updated in 2016, provides a clear progression from infancy through pre-K and recently earned accreditation. “It allows teachers to focus on implementation instead of starting from scratch every week,” Roberta said. “That’s where the real impact happens.”
The curriculum also includes Spanish language exposure woven into the day, giving children consistent opportunities to build early language skills. Over time, the team has seen many children go on to enroll in Spanish immersion elementary programs.
A Commitment to Be “the Best of the Best”
Today’s Life first connected with Think Small through their decision to pursue Parent Aware accreditation.
“I think part of it was to make sure that we had an accredited program that was approved by the county and the state,” Roberta said. “We wanted to be able to offer families who might need a subsidy a higher rate… We wanted to be the best of the best, essentially.”
Through that process, they were paired with a Think Small coach, beginning an ongoing partnership focused on quality improvement.
Supporting Educators Through Coaching and Connection
Through coaching with Quality Coach Astra Lowery, teachers at Today’s Life receive consistent, hands-on guidance that helps refine their practices in real time.
“It’s always helpful to have that extra set of eyes,” Roberta said. “Someone who can come in, observe, and help us grow.”
Astra works closely with teachers to strengthen everyday interactions with children. One example Roberta gave was the use of open-ended questions. Instead of relying on yes/no prompts, educators ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why did you choose that?”
“It gets children thinking, talking, and problem-solving,” Roberta said. “We’ve seen an increase in teachers using open-ended questions by at least fifty percent.”
Coaching also provides practical strategies for addressing challenges as they arise. When frequent biting became a challenge in one classroom, Astra introduced a simple visual tool that helped children understand expectations.
“She always has helpful ideas,” Tamara said. “And when we implement them, we see results.”
Through Think Small, Roberta also participates in director groups with other early childhood leaders. It’s a space to share ideas, problem-solve, and learn from peers.
“The director groups are hugely helpful,” she said. “You get to hear what’s working, what’s not working, and learn from each other.”
Internally, the Today’s Life team retains staff by prioritizing strong onboarding, frequent check-ins, flexible support, and regular recognition of staff. They also dedicate three full days each year to professional development, ensuring educators continue to grow alongside the children they serve.
“Teachers need to feel valued and supported,” Roberta emphasized. “That’s what keeps them here.”
Expanding Access for Families
Through their partnership with Think Small, Today’s Life connects families to Early Learning Scholarships, opening the door for more children to benefit from high-quality care.
“Sometimes families don’t even know it’s an option,” Roberta said. “We always refer them to Think Small if they’re looking for support.”
Today, the impact is significant. Across their programs, they serve more than 25 children supported by scholarships and county assistance.
“It allows people in the community to have better opportunities than they might have otherwise,” Tamara said. “The children who really need it, this gives them access to that quality.”
The team is clear about what would happen without that support.
“It would be awful for families,” Tamara said. “The kids need a place that feels like home and a place to learn.”
Roberta added that the effects would extend to providers as well.
“You’d likely see a drop in enrollment, because families wouldn’t be able to afford care. And it would impact children getting that strong early foundation before kindergarten.”
Growing to Meet Community Needs
That commitment to access is driving Today’s Life’s expansion. A new center in Eagan is set to open in August 2026, bringing high-quality child care to a community with growing need.
Much of the timing now depends on final steps, including permits and inspections that come with opening a new facility. Even with those moving pieces, the team is entering this new chapter with strong systems already in place.
“We’re able to open at a high level right away,” Roberta said.
They plan to utilize a Minnesota Start Up Child Care Services Grant, administered by Think Small. The grant helps new programs cover costs associated with opening, such as required improvements, equipment, and licensing-related updates.
“It’s a huge benefit,” Tamara said. “It helps us make sure everything is ready and high-quality from the start.”
With experience, support, and a clear vision, their mission is continuing to grow in a way that expands access while maintaining the quality families have come to trust.
A Lasting Impact
At its core, Today’s Life is about community.
“Family, family, family—that’s what we are,” Tamara said. And that’s even more true as her daughter Natasha, who spent her early years in the program, is now working at Today’s Life. She just recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in biology.
That sense of connection lasts long after children leave. Former students return to visit, families stay in touch, and the impact continues into adulthood.
Roberta reflects…“To know you’re remembered and that you made a difference…that means everything”.
By Emily Petersen
