Our Story
Cultivate Childcare was built on the belief that early childhood should be a place where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them. The early years shape how children learn, interact with others, and see themselves. That's why our classrooms focus on building strong relationships, guiding children through social and emotional development, and encouraging curiosity through play. We believe children learn best when they are actively engaged, asking questions, exploring materials, and discovering new ideas alongside caring adults who support and guide them. Our goal is simple: create an environment where children feel confident, capable, and excited to learn.
What We Believe
At Cultivate, we believe strong relationships are the foundation for learning. When children feel connected to the adults around them, they develop the confidence and emotional skills needed to navigate friendships, challenges, and new experiences. Our educators guide children through meaningful play, helping them build problem-solving skills, independence, and curiosity about the world around them. Because when children feel secure and supported, learning happens naturally.
What Makes Cultivate Different
Our classrooms prioritize connection before correction. By building strong relationships with children, our teachers are able to guide behavior, support emotional development, and create an environment where children feel respected and understood. We also believe great childcare begins with great teachers. Cultivate invests in building a strong team culture where educators feel supported, respected, and empowered to grow. When teachers feel confident and supported, they are able to give children the attention, patience, and guidance they deserve.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Cultivate is led by a team committed to creating an environment where both children and educators can thrive. Together, they work to ensure every classroom reflects the values, culture, and care that define Cultivate.
Bri McCarty is the owner of Cultivate Childcare and a passionate advocate for high-quality early childhood education. After stepping away from the corporate world and beginning work in a local childcare center, Bri quickly realized she had found her calling. What started as a new career path grew into a mission to build a childcare environment where children thrive, families feel supported, and educators are empowered to grow. With a Master's degree in Business, Bri helped bring Cultivate Childcare to life alongside her husband Drew. Together, they set out to create a program that prioritizes strong relationships, play-based learning, and a supportive culture for both children and educators. Bri is deeply passionate about elevating the childcare profession and empowering others in the field. Through Cultivate, she focuses on building strong teams, supporting teachers, and creating classrooms where children can develop confidence, independence, and a love for learning. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education to continue strengthening the program and the impact it has on families. At home, Bri enjoys life with Drew, their two children Finnleigh and Griffin, and a lively house full of dogs. Whether she is mentoring educators, supporting families, or guiding the vision for Cultivate, Bri believes that when people feel supported and valued, they are able to do incredible things.
Dani Leader was born and raised in Yankton, South Dakota and has lived in the Sioux Falls/Harrisburg area for the past eight years. She and her husband Zach, a power lineman in Sioux Falls, stay busy raising their two children, Bennett and Briar. Dani has always loved working with children. After spending many years as a hairstylist, she decided to make a career change so she could spend more time with her family. Her journey into childcare began when her children attended the center where Bri worked. What started as a part-time job quickly grew into a passion for supporting children and families. Dani joined Cultivate when Bri opened the center and has continued to grow within the program. She loves coming to work each day to watch children learn, build relationships, and gain confidence. Dani is proud to be part of a team that invests deeply in both children and educators and works hard to create a supportive environment for families.
Darbi Nelson was born and raised in Winner, South Dakota and has lived in Sioux Falls for the past several years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Management from Black Hills State University. While in Spearfish, Darbi worked part-time at a local daycare and quickly discovered her passion for early childhood education. Darbi began her professional childcare career at Bright Horizons in Sioux Falls before joining Bri and Drew at the Early Learning Center. She started as an assistant infant teacher and steadily grew into leadership roles as she gained experience across multiple classrooms. Today, Darbi serves as Director at the Nursery Care location, where she supports teachers, builds strong relationships with families, and helps guide the program each day. Darbi has also earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is committed to continually growing in the field of early childhood education. She loves the relationships built with children and families and takes pride in being part of a team that works together to create a supportive, nurturing environment for every child.
Lizzie Kost is originally from Sioux City, Iowa and now calls Sioux Falls home with her husband, Ryan, and their two sons, Ben and Cooper. As a mom herself, Lizzie brings a deep understanding of how important it is for families to feel confident and supported in their childcare experience. Before joining Cultivate, Lizzie worked in higher education admissions and Human Resources, where she developed strong skills in communication, leadership, and supporting others in their growth. She earned her B.S. in Communication Studies from the University of South Dakota. At Cultivate, Lizzie combines her professional experience with her passion for working with children and families. She loves being part of a team that is committed to creating a supportive, high-quality environment where both children and educators can thrive. Lizzie feels grateful to be part of the Cultivate community and looks forward to welcoming new families as their children learn, grow, and shine.
Our Values
Accountability
We promote self-awareness and integrity by taking ownership of our choices and learn from experiences which fosters a culture of growth.
Respect
We use dialog in a transparent, respectful, and effective manner, allowing us to build deeper and stronger relationships.
Communication
We show great regard and consideration to others to help promote understanding. cooperation, and positive relationships within our culture.
Teamwork
We create a collaborative environment that promotes strength of collective efforts, encouraging us to work together to achieve unity and our mission.
Compassion
We demonstrate empathy and understanding for experiences, feelings and needs of others, offering support and care when needed.
Hear It From Our Parents:
Our son has attended since he was 11 weeks old and it first opened. As a first time parent, the app they use sends frequent updates and photos to help with the (parental) separation anxiety. He has become very attached to quite a few of their staff members, many of whom also helped open the facility. We also enjoy the family-centered events they have planned that we can attend with the staff. As a teacher, I think they have such a great program that balances both learning and play! We hope to transition to the Prep program in the future, with confidence that he will be more than ready for Kindergarten when he is old enough.
Angie