Monica Van Sumer, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
Open:
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to 15 & Schoenherr KinderCare
Welcome to 15 & Schoenherr KinderCare in Sterling Heights, Michigan! Located near 15 Mile Road, our center utilizes a hands-on learning approach that gives the students adequate time for learning and exploring. Our program offers learning activities such as building blocks and dramatic play. We aim to build a supportive environment for all students regardless of their abilities, background and experiences. We love our circle of families and meeting new friends!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Monica Van Sumer, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2001
Education: Associate Degree
Favorite Children's Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Meet Monica Van Sumer! She is the Center Director at 15 & Schoenherr KinderCare in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Monica attended Rasmussen College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been at KinderCare since 2001, and before that she was a teacher. Outside of work, Monica enjoys spending time with her family. Together they love to have family game nights. “A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart.”
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
15 & Schoenherr KinderCare Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
Before- and After-School Programs (5–12 Years)
You can count on us to provide reliable care for your school-ager while you’re at work, with safe transportation from our center to your child’s school and back! Whether your child wants to start a drama club, build a volcano, or create a comic book, they will have a place to follow their dreams. Your child will start and end the day with a whole lot of fun!
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused on fun. We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication, and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
Discovery Adventures
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
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This place is amazing! Monica and Kari make you feel so welcomed and every teacher greets you when you are walking through their classroom. You can tell that the teachers are passionate about what they do, and I am always seeing happy smiling faces when I come in.
”Kim - KinderCare Parent
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I have been very satisfied with this child care center. The teachers are very good with the children. It wasn't the first center I looked at for my daughter but when I did the tour, and saw how happy and engaged all the kids were, I knew it was a good fit.
”Shelli - KinderCare Parent
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I am writing today to express and tell everyone how wonderful the KinderCare Learning Center is at 15 and Schoenherr. We have been with the center since May 2015 and feel that this center is a great fit for our son. The directors are engaged with the children and the parents, and they are so very compassionate about the children in their care. My son absolutely adores his teacher and she is also completely engaged with the children. Her curriculum is fun and educational. It is so great to see my little one come home and out of nowhere begin counting or saying his ABC's (albeit sometimes out of order, but that will come in time). I would recommend this center to anyone that asks me. They offer additional programs throughout the year. Over the summer they offered private swimming lessons right at the facility. This was an important thing we wanted to do with our child, and having a trained and certified lifeguard to teach him could be life saving and priceless one day.
I am so happy we found KinderCare. I could go on and on about all the wonderful features of the organization. All I know is we have been with others and KinderCare is beyond them all. Thank you for taking such good care of our son.
”Michelle S. - KinderCare Parent
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I just started my three-month-old baby here last month which was incredibly hard to do but they made us feel at home. I visited the center twice before my son's first day and the staff were so friendly and warm I instantly felt comfortable knowing they would take great care of my son. My son is always happy and well cared for when I pick him up and that is the most important thing to me.
”Dorri - KinderCare Parent
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The center director, assistant director and toddler room (2-3 yrs) teacher is amazing. These ladies truly care about kids. My daughter loves this center!
”Jacquelyn - KinderCare Parent
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My daughter has been going to this KinderCare Learning Center for over 2 years and we both have nothing but great things to say about our experience! The staff is always upbeat and friendly. The center director and assistant director are very understanding and flexible. I have recommended a few people here and will continue to do so!
”Amber - KinderCare Parent
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The staff at this KinderCare has made things very easy for me and my kids. We are new to the center and the kids and I are very happy here. Thank you for being so helpful and accommodating to our family's needs. I would definitely recommend this center to family and friends.
”Matt - KinderCare Parent
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This place is amazing! I love Monica and Kari because they have made me feel so welcomed and always greet me and my child with a smile on their face. All the teachers are passionate about what they do and you can see it in their faces every day! I truly enjoy seeing the smiling faces on all the children when I am walking through, and seeing the teachers greet each child with a warm hug and smile melts my heart! This is truly the best program I have visited. They are amazing!
”Karen - KinderCare Parent
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One of my colleagues suggested that KinderCare had good standards so I signed my 20-month-old son up. He may not be able to speak properly, but the teachers always try to help him. They understand his gestures and do whatever he wants. In the beginning (three months ago), he was a little frightened, but now, he is enjoying the center and eagerly waits to meet his friends and teachers in the mornings. The teachers, director and assistant director are all very nice. I like the daily updates and the way they answer all my questions. I'm very impressed how the teachers will tell me what one thing special he did each day or what new thing he did that day. Thanks to all the teachers who wish me and my child a good morning with a smile on their face everyday.
”Satyanarayana - KinderCare Parent
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We have searched for the right preschool for our son and have visited multiple preschools throughout Southeastern Michigan. What finalized our decision on KinderCare was the welcoming at-home feeling we received from day one. The staff is well trained and outgoing. We have a very busy three-year-old boy who has a ton of energy. They not only keep up with him but keep him entertained and intrigued throughout the school day. I love when he brings home his art work and papers that show his learning is growing and on track.
The facility is very well organized and clean. I love how meals are set up as family style. This allows our son to grow and learn while even eating. The facility has an onsite chef, so there is no need to prep meals and snacks the night before.
They offer additional programs throughout the year. Over the summer they offered private swimming lessons right at the facility. This was an important thing we wanted to do with our child and having a trained and certified lifeguard to teach him could be life saving and priceless one day.
I am so happy we found KinderCare. I could go on and on with all the wonderful features about the organization. All I know is we have been with others and KinderCare is beyond them all. Thank you for taking such good care of our son.
”Theresa - KinderCare Parent
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I was not happy with the idea of going back to work. But the staff at KinderCare has me convinced I did the right thing. They take excellent care of my daughter and right from the beginning showed me that my comfort level with their facility was important to them. I wouldn't want my daughter being cared for by anyone else!!
”Linda - KinderCare Parent
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It is clean, organized, structured, and has a great staff. My son is two-years-old and is starting to become a handful. The staff and I work together to find ways to make his experience as pleasant as possible They inform me on everything he is doing on a daily basis. I receive pictures and I am just overall happy knowing when I drop him off and go to work he is being well taken care of while learning so much.
”Megan - KinderCare Parent
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The teachers are really doing a great job. All of the hard work Ms. Monica and Ms. Kari have put into getting everything (and everyone) on track, is truly paying off, and really shows. I get such a good feeling when I walk in now, and I even notice a change in the way my child looks at certain things. I may look at things a little differently than most of the parents, but I think having my history there, and now being a mom, gives me an even deeper appreciation of how good they all are at what they do.
”Kristen - KinderCare Parent
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Monica and team, we wanted to thank you for being a part of our children's lives. On a daily basis you demonstrated love, care, and compassion for them. My wife and I are fortunate to have found such an amazing learning center and staff that truly brings a safe, nurturing environment that cultivates self-esteem.
”Mark - KinderCare Parent
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I really appreciate all the excellent communication this center offers. The staff is awesome, the teachers are great. My son really enjoys coming and he doesn't cry anymore when I drop off. It is a great experience and I am so glad we found you guys!
”Mark - KinderCare Parent
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Mrs. Monica The Center Director, Mrs. Kari, the Assistant Director, and Ms. Gail, the Preschool room teacher are amazing! I have never met a care giver more caring, loving and understanding than these three ladies. I am so happy I choose to send my daughter to this location. They are truly supportive and only want the best for my family! Thank you ladies for all you do!
”Jackie - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at 15 & Schoenherr KinderCare?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at 15 & Schoenherr KinderCare?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.