By Jason Arndt
Editor
Little Wanderers daycare, which is along the prominent Milwaukee Avenue corridor in Burlington, has operated for a little over a year.
Since opening in October 2023, the establishment, which specializes in Montessori activities and early childhood education, has experienced tremendous growth and has plans to expand.
The Plan Commission on Nov. 12 issued a green light on the expansion, endorsing both an amended conditional use permit initially issued in May of last year, and a site plan application to accommodate an addition to the property, which is at 2657 Browns Lake Dr. next to AmericInn Hotel.
City Planner Andy Cross, of the Lakota Group, said the existing property is consistent with nearby commercial land uses.
“It is really quite a good location for this land use,” Cross said.
In addition to AmericInn, other nearby establishments include May’s Insurance, and the Lynch Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership.
“Business has been so good that the business needs to expand and build an addition on the north side of the structure,” Cross said.
Cross did not indicate any issues specific to the conditional use permit amendment but did say the architectural firm tasked with the expansion will look to match the existing structure’s color scheme and structural components as closely as possible.
Serving the community
Megan Kurth, of Wind Lake and owner of Little Wanderers, received the initial conditional use permit in May 2023.
The permit allowed the former Peoples Bank property to serve a new purpose as a daycare center.
Cross noted the expansion project seeks to accommodate more families based on a memorandum to the Plan Commission.
“The existing building is 1,152 square feet in area. A new addition of about 750 square feet is proposed on the north end of the building,” Cross wrote. “The additional building space will allow the daycare center to increase the number of students they can serve.”
Kurth, in brief remarks to the Plan Commission, said the existing structure has met the maximum occupancy of 18 students and needs to be expanded.
“We are maxed out at 18 kids, so the expansion would bring it to 30,” Kurth explained, adding she doesn’t plan to exceed 25 students.
Burlington Mayor Jon E. Schultz II commended Kurth’s business and sought information about the project timeline.
Kurth said she hopes to begin soon, with planned completion by mid-2025 at the latest.
“We are looking to have it completed by the end of spring, early summer,” she said.
Bill Smitz, aldermanic representative, questioned Kurth on whether the expansion would hinder business operations.
“We would still be able to operate,” Kurth said.
Montessori influence
Little Wanderers, which serves children from 1 to 6 years old, emphasizes Montessori education.
Kurth previously told Southern Lakes Newspapers she looked to focus on Montessori principles because she saw the benefits of it in her own children.
“My own children are nurtured and provided with a Montessori-influenced home life, and I see how they thrive in the environment and carry that over to real-life scenarios throughout their week,” Kurth said last year. “It’s an honor to provide that to other families and support them and their children along the way.”
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