Best Emergency Childcare in Minneapolis, MN

Infants

Especially for Children’s Infant Program offers a safe, nurturing environment where children learn about themselves and their feelings. They develop relationships with caring teaching staff and with other children. Our goal is to make your baby to feel safe and loved. This bond creates confidence in your child so that he or she will be ready and excited to learn new skills while in our care. In our Infant Program, The Creative Curriculum® emphasizes a classroom environment filled with responsive daily routines and meaningful, individualized experiences that nurture your child’s learning and development.

Toddlers

Especially for Children’s Toddler Program builds upon the Infant Program by introducing new activities and learning opportunities that foster the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of your child. We use the Creative Curriculum, a play-based learning curriculum, in our Toddler Classrooms. The Creative Curriculum for toddlers will help your child extend his/her communication and social skills, learn new thinking skills and practice movement through play. Teachers develop lesson plans based on the emerging skills and interests of the children in their classrooms. There is also time in the day for child-initiated play and discovery.

Infants

In this lovely classroom setting, there is plenty of floor space for children to move and explore, as they are ready. We follow a child’s natural sleeping and waking process, as well as the child’s natural hunger patterns. We invite families to spend time with us prior to enrollment so we may learn all about your baby. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.

Toddlers

This is the time when children use their bodies, senses, and emerging problem-solving skills to learn about and make sense of their world in the ways most meaningful and effective for them. Our toddler educators give your toddler responsive, individualized attention to help build their skills. Activities range from the simple to the complex, with work areas arranged by subject. Montessori materials not typically found at other schools are used, as children choose activities based on their own interests. We focus on sensory and perception; self-help; language; physical and motor skills; social and emotional growth. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.

Infant

Even in our infant care room, we foster and nurture your child’s budding independence. With plenty of floor space your child can move and explore, as they are ready.

Toddler

The long term positive impact seeds of Montessori truly begin to take root at the Toddler age.

Infant Program

In the Step By Step infant program our first and foremost goal is to provide a safe, clean and peaceful child care environment. The emphasis is on stimulation and comfort for the very young child.

Toddler Program

Our trained staff has developed a program for the 16 months to 2.5 year olds that will assist your child in developing vocabulary, social relationships and self help skills in a warm, friendly environment.

Infants

The Gardner School’s infant program provides a warm, nurturing environment where babies build trust, confidence, and early learning skills. Guided by The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, teachers foster exploration through responsive, individualized care. Nursery suites feature personalized touches like individual cribs and family photos, while small ratios, a shoe-free policy, and flexible feeding and diapering routines ensure a safe, clean, and tailored experience. We maintain strong parent communication through real-time updates, developmental assessments, and shared moments via our app. Teachers use American Sign Language to support early communication and incorporate Itsy Bitsy Yoga to promote sleep, digestion, and well-being. By honoring each infant’s unique schedule, we provide attentive care that supports growth, connection, and development from the start.

Toddlers

The Gardner School’s toddler program nurtures independence, growth, and socialization in a supportive, engaging environment. Using The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, teachers encourage exploration through play and responsive interactions. As children transition from American Sign Language to early language, communication is supported through stories, songs, puzzles, and hands-on learning. Group activities build confidence, social skills, and emotional development. Families stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and app notifications. Monthly themes introduce colors, sensory exploration, cooperative play, and self-expression. Itsy Bitsy Yoga supports sleep, digestion, and well-being. By fostering curiosity and creativity, we build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Infant Daycare

Infant program offering a physically and emotionally safe place for your baby to explore and learn about the world around them. Shoe-free policy ensures that classrooms are clean and safe for little ones to move around. Daily routine includes time outdoors, group time, and discovery baskets for sensory exploration. Trained teachers spend time cuddling, singing, and reading to your child.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers are on the go, exploring and learning new things throughout each day. Classrooms are kid-size in design, allowing children to do more things independently, building their self-confidence. Photos of the children’s families cover the walls of the classroom, creating a sense of community. Daily routine includes: outdoor play, circle time, dance & movement, reading, art, music, and free play.

Infant Daycare

Infant program offering a physically and emotionally safe place for your baby to explore and learn about the world around them. Shoe-free policy ensures that classrooms are clean and safe for little ones to move around. Daily routine includes time outdoors, group time, and discovery baskets for sensory exploration. Trained teachers spend time cuddling, singing, and reading to your child.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers are on the go, exploring and learning new things throughout each day. Classrooms are kid-size in design, allowing children to do more things independently, building their self-confidence. Photos of the children’s families cover the walls of the classroom, creating a sense of community. Daily routine includes: outdoor play, circle time, dance & movement, reading, art, music, and free play.

Infants

Your baby will be in safe, loving arms as they develop important physical, social and emotional skills. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Toddlers

This classroom provides support and encouragement to help toddlers confidently explore and develop new skills, language and ideas. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Infants

Our Infant Care Program is committed to making the first transition away from home natural and easy for both you and your child.

Toddlers

Our Toddler Program is specifically tailored to the needs of your busy toddler. We lovingly nurture your child through important early milestones, from “self-help” learning skills such as hand washing and putting away their toys, to socializing and forming first friendships.

Emergency Childcare Program

Our infant program offers a safe, caring environment with experienced, culturally diverse staff to support your baby’s early development. We provide developmental screenings and onsite therapies as needed, helping your child get a strong start in their growth and learning for future success.

Toddler Care Program

Our toddler program offers rooms for 16-23 months and 24-36 months with play-based, evidence-based environments. Children have access to developmental screenings, dental/vision/hearing check-ups and onsite therapy. Free healthy meals, parent-child activities and a library are also provided.

Emergency Childcare Program

Infant Daycare

Infant program offering a physically and emotionally safe place for your baby to explore and learn about the world around them. Shoe-free policy ensures that classrooms are clean and safe for little ones to move around. Daily routine includes time outdoors, group time, and discovery baskets for sensory exploration. Trained teachers spend time cuddling, singing, and reading to your child.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers are on the go, exploring and learning new things throughout each day. Classrooms are kid-size in design, allowing children to do more things independently, building their self-confidence. Photos of the children’s families cover the walls of the classroom, creating a sense of community. Daily routine includes: outdoor play, circle time, dance & movement, reading, art, music, and free play.

Infant Daycare

Infant program offering a physically and emotionally safe place for your baby to explore and learn about the world around them. Shoe-free policy ensures that classrooms are clean and safe for little ones to move around. Daily routine includes time outdoors, group time, and discovery baskets for sensory exploration. Trained teachers spend time cuddling, singing, and reading to your child.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers are on the go, exploring and learning new things throughout each day. Classrooms are kid-size in design, allowing children to do more things independently, building their self-confidence. Photos of the children’s families cover the walls of the classroom, creating a sense of community. Daily routine includes: outdoor play, circle time, dance & movement, reading, art, music, and free play.

Infant Daycare

Infant program offering a physically and emotionally safe place for your baby to explore and learn about the world around them. Shoe-free policy ensures that classrooms are clean and safe for little ones to move around. Daily routine includes time outdoors, group time, and discovery baskets for sensory exploration. Trained teachers spend time cuddling, singing, and reading to your child.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers are on the go, exploring and learning new things throughout each day. Classrooms are kid-size in design, allowing children to do more things independently, building their self-confidence. Photos of the children’s families cover the walls of the classroom, creating a sense of community. Daily routine includes: outdoor play, circle time, dance & movement, reading, art, music, and free play.

Infant Daycare

Infant program offering a physically and emotionally safe place for your baby to explore and learn about the world around them. Shoe-free policy ensures that classrooms are clean and safe for little ones to move around. Daily routine includes time outdoors, group time, and discovery baskets for sensory exploration. Trained teachers spend time cuddling, singing, and reading to your child.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers are on the go, exploring and learning new things throughout each day. Classrooms are kid-size in design, allowing children to do more things independently, building their self-confidence. Photos of the children’s families cover the walls of the classroom, creating a sense of community. Daily routine includes: outdoor play, circle time, dance & movement, reading, art, music, and free play.

Emergency Childcare Program

Nurturing, responsive infant care in a calm, small-group setting. Focus on secure attachment, individualized routines, and sensory exploration. Care is developmentally appropriate and tailored to each infant’s unique needs and schedule.

Toddler Care Program

Toddler care that supports growing independence through strong routines, hands-on learning, and social-emotional development. Montessori-inspired activities encourage language, confidence, and exploration. Diapering and toileting are handled respectfully and by readiness.

Emergency Childcare Program

Infants

Your baby will be in safe, loving arms as they develop important physical, social and emotional skills. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Toddlers

This classroom provides support and encouragement to help toddlers confidently explore and develop new skills, language and ideas. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Infant Program

At this age, your infant is mainly learning through observation and exploration. For example, as our Infant teachers talk and sing with your child during feeding, diaper changes and playtime, your little one is beginning to understand language and conversation. Nurturing interactions like these will fill your child’s day and can be adapted and personalized to meet their individual needs.

Toddler Program

In our Toddler program, you’ll find carefully selected equipment that our newest walkers love to climb on, crawl through and hide in while stretching their gross motor skills. Teachers also use books, toys, games and other materials to create exciting explorations into colors, shapes, science and more.

Infants

Your baby will be in safe, loving arms as they develop important physical, social and emotional skills. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Toddlers

This classroom provides support and encouragement to help toddlers confidently explore and develop new skills, language and ideas. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Emergency Childcare Program

Infants

Your baby will be in safe, loving arms as they develop important physical, social and emotional skills. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Toddlers

This classroom provides support and encouragement to help toddlers confidently explore and develop new skills, language and ideas. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Emergency Childcare Program

Debbie's Family Daycare

I enjoy caring for and helping children have new learning experiences in a loving, safe environment where they can feel good about themselves and learn important social skills. 2025 rates: $240/week for infants, $235/week for toddlers and $225/week for preschoolers. Rates increase $5/week in 2026.

Emergency Childcare Program

Emergency Childcare Program

Emergency Childcare Program

Emergency Childcare Program

Emergency Childcare Program