Childcare

Certified doula Marla Lukes, along with three staffers, offers overnight in-home post-partum care for infants to help new moms get some needed sleep. Both breast-fed and bottle-fed babies can be accommodated.

Parents can set up a tentative service schedule before the baby is born. Night Owls also tries to accommodate last-minute bookings when the need arises.

Every parent should know about Club Kid ... just in case. It provides hourly childcare - backup, last-minute, during the summer, and on school release days - whenever it's needed, 12 or more hours a day (with reduced hours on Sundays) for kids ages 16 months to 10 years. There's no reservation required, just show up and drop off. It gives parents a chance to shop, handle urgencies, or just be a little spontaneous.

Kids play in a supervised, stimulating environment. They can enjoy free video games or watch movies on their own, or join new friends in craft projects, aerobics, storytime, or one of the other scheduled activities on the packed calendar.

Every parent should know about Club Kid ... just in case. It provides hourly childcare - backup, last-minute, during the summer, and on school release days - whenever it's needed, 12 or more hours a day (with reduced hours on Sundays) for kids ages 16 months to 10 years. There's no reservation required, just show up and drop off. It gives parents a chance to shop, handle urgencies, or just be a little spontaneous.

Kids play in a supervised, stimulating environment. They can enjoy free video games or watch movies on their own, or join new friends in craft projects, aerobics, storytime, or one of the other scheduled activities on the packed calendar.

Formed when two century-old organizations - Children's Home Society and Family Services - merged in 2003, the non-profit CHSFS provides a multitude of valuable services for families and children in Minnesota.

Families can turn to CHSFS when they are in crisis, trying prevent crises, and for other needs. The organization offers adoption services, crisis nurseries, childcare, and a host of family support services, including financial counseling.

Not all services are offered at all locations. Check the website for specific programs.

CHSFS welcomes monetary donations and volunteers, and offers many opportunities for youth ages 16 and up to contribute on an ongoing basis or during special events.

Shining Star Nannies is a locally-owned online nanny placement agency.

Free 30-day memberships allow registering families to search the database and post job openings. Paid memberships allow families to obtain nanny contact information and provide access to a Family Help Guide, which includes interview questions, sample contracts, and more. Profiles for nannies and families must be updated every 30 days. Options include the ability to search for lower-cost nannies with children or nanny shares.

Background checks, taxes, and health insurance are the responsibility of the hiring family; the agency does not screen candidates.

Amy Swenson took what she learned searching for daycare for her own children a step further, and founded MoreDaycare.com, a website with comprehensive information on local providers for all Twin Cities parents.

Infinite Miracles offers fun and learning for little minds through a preschool and kindergarten readiness program that stresses education, nutrition, and safety, and homework assistance for school-age children.

Green Ninos provides Spanish language, yoga, fitness, and organic gardening instruction; environmentally-conscious programming; field trips; organic snacks and meals; and Earth-friendly products for learning, play and cleaning. Drop-in, full-time, and part-time family childcare is offered, with room for toddlers and preschoolers, and afterschool care for older children.

Teresa Anderson provides home-based licensed childcare for up to 10 children ages six weeks old to 12 years old.

Drop-in care is offered when space is available at the rate of $35/day.