More than childcare. A community where children can flourish.
Choosing childcare is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Garden of Dreams offers a place where children receive care while developing the skills, relationships, and confidence that will support them throughout their lives.
Families choose Garden of Dreams for:
Caring and experienced educators
Play-based, developmentally appropriate learning
A safe and welcoming environment
Support for working families
Strong connections with the Battle Creek community
Affordable care and assistance options for eligible families
What started as a small seed…
Garden of Dreams started as a vision born from mission. First Congregational Church of Battle Creek gifted a memorial designated for educational purposes as seed money to begin what would become Garden of Dreams Preschool and Child Care. Its founding members knew what quality child care could offer to their Battle Creek neighbors and workers. In 2013, Garden of Dreams started in the newly renovated education wing of First Congregational Church.
…grew into a community of learning and care.
In September of 2026, Garden of Dreams was transplanted to the Valentine Center. It’s new location offers new opportunities for growth, including a new partnerships.
Garden of Dreams Community Preschool and Child Care is a nonprofit early-learning center providing safe, affordable and high-quality care to children and families in Battle Creek. Founded in 2005 as an outreach ministry of First Congregational Church, Garden of Dreams serves infants, toddlers and preschoolers and offers Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program to help prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten. Its experienced educators partner with families to nurture children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in a welcoming learning environment. Garden of Dreams is committed to strengthening children, families and the wider Battle Creek community by ensuring that excellent early-learning opportunities are accessible to all.