The Cradle Club
Preschool in Minneapolis, MN 55403
Our founder Jan (Erickson) Ashbaugh felt called to a future caring for children while she herself was still a child. She followed her heart and pursued an education in early-childhood development. Jan received extensive training both in the classroom and on the job as she worked in the field for six years. Eventually she realized the only way she could do for children what she thought was best was to start her own company and set the standards herself.
In 1986 Jan started an infant only program providing care for twelve infants. Our satisfied parents then asked for more. They wanted The Cradle Club to develop a toddler and preschool program so their children could continue growing with us! While Jan was an expert in children, she needed someone with expertise in business to help her take the next step. In October 1987, Jan joined forces with her brother Scott, a business graduate, to put together an expansion plan.
Expansion
In February of 1989, the Downtown Minneapolis Butler Square location opened to care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with a capacity to serve 118 children.
In September of 1989, the Edina location opened and now serves 154 children from age 6 weeks to kindergarten.
All in the Family
At the birth of her third child, Jan phased out of her full-time responsibilities at the Cradle Club to be a stay-at-home mom. And in December of 2000 Scotts new bride Maria phased in. With an extensive background in communications as well now being a mother of three small children, Maria serves as The Cradle Clubs CEO. Maria has created a Cradle Club Code of Excellence for staff working with each age group of children and many other training tools to encourage growth and excellence in our teachers. She provides monthly leadership training for our Directors, teachers and assistant teachers and consults with our Directors on how to best meet the needs of our children and staff.
Scott continues in the role in which he began as the business expert that helps keep the business details in order so we can all focus on lots of laughter, learning and love with our amazing kids!
To top it off, our founder Jan Ashbaugh remains a part of the Cradle Club as our on-call expert consultant! Isnt family great?!
- Child Ages:
- 6 weeks - 6 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- MinnesotaDepartmentofHumanServices
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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The Cradle Club, Inc. is a privately owned child care corporation designed with excellence in mind. We believe that every child needs to feel loved and wanted. They need to know that the people near them truly care about them as unique and special children. Every child needs the security of a safe environment. Each child must trust that parents and other protective adults will be there in times of need. Children need to believe they are always accepted for themselves, not only when their behavior meets certain standards. Every child needs to be challenged to grow and develop individually. Children also have the right to know that there are limits, and that they will be held to those limits by those with responsibility. Every child needs to have friendly guidance to learn to deal effectively with others.
Children need to be encouraged to try new things, to grow, and to find confidence in themselves and their ability to do things with growing independence.
Based upon these beliefs, The Cradle Clubs philosophy then becomes simple. Every child needs LOVE, SECURITY, ACCEPTANCE, CONTROL, GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION. Our staff will provide this in partnership with each childs parent so as to follow the best care and educational plan for each individual child.
Our goals are
1). To provide each child with security and the opportunity to develop through exploration and education in a loving, safe, therapeutic and stimulating environment.
2). To clearly understand the values important to every parent and to ensure the best possible care and education for each child.
3). To guarantee quality childcare services for children through the employment of only those applicants that exhibit sensitivity, maturity and an identifiable love for children.
4). To bring extravagant laughter, learning and love to all of our children on a daily basis!
