Minneapolis Nanny

Hiring an Minneapolis Nanny or Babysitter

Networking in Minneapolis with friends, neighbors, teachers, or using a professional registered sitter agency is a good way to start. It is important to find someone that you like to watch your child. This should be a responsible, competent, trustworthy individual who actually likes being with children. Ensure that they are age-appropriate since some nannies and sitters are not comfortable with babies or very young children. Do a background check, ask for references and be sure to check them out. It would also be helpful if the sitter had some first aid or CPR training. Remember your child’s safety is your first priority.

Minneapolis Nanny Salary

The going rate in your Minneapolis neighborhood can vary depending on the sitter’s qualifications, experience, education, and the number of children to be cared for. Salaries for live-in nannies currently range from $14 to $18 an hour or $500 to $650 per week, depending on experience and the number of children. Be fair – for sitters, pay a decent rate with a minimum number of hours arranged beforehand. There are some well-established registered babysitter and nanny agencies in Minneapolis, and they will provide references and background checks on request.

Minneapolis Nanny & Babysitter Agencies

Nannies From the Heartland (763-550-0219) has been in business since 1990, a member of the Better Business Bureau, the International Nanny Association (INA), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). They do an in-home family consultation to assess individual needs, do comprehensive reference checks, background checks including driving record, ID Searchplus county and national criminal background checks. Rates for live-in nannies run at $500-$650/week, live-out nannies (45 hours per week) at $14-$18/hour depending on experience and number of children, special service nannies for hotel care, special or group events at $16/hour per nanny, and temporary nanny service for vacationing or overnight is available at $15/hour with a four hour minimum. The Nanny Place (763-560-8181) is a member of both the INA and the NAEYC, offering both full service and a referral service. Home consultation appointments are scheduled to meet clients’ needs. All candidates undergo extensive pre-screening, in-person interviews and must complete a “Nanny Questionnaire”, comprehensive reference and background checks including Social Security verification, national and country criminal search, and driving record. Once nanny matched, the family is supplied with the completed nanny questionnaire, which includes work history, education and references.

Be sure to leave a contact number where you can be reached, as well as your child’s medical information. If you are going to be unavailable, perhaps a grandparent or good neighbor in Minneapolis can be notified. Be clear to the babysitter about your expectations. This should be a good experience for your child, something and someone they can look forward to coming again.

Minneapolis Kids Activities & Things To Do with Kids

Minneapolis, also known as the “City of Lakes”, is the largest city in Minnesota, located in the southeast central part of the state on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls, adjacent to its “twin city” St. Paul. First visited by French explorer Louis Hennepin in 1683, the village of St. Anthony was settled in 1839, Minneapolis originated on the west side of the river in 1847 and was incorporated as a city in 1867 after the spread of the railroads in the 1870s and becoming the gateway to the northern great plains. Minneapolis is a banking and financial center, a major rail and industrial hub, and processing and distribution center for grain and cattle.

Minneapolis has many restaurants and pubs that offer diverse eating choices as well as after-hours live music and entertainment. Scandinavian food (like lutefisk) is popular, and its main (or hot) dishes are known as casseroles. The city’s main shopping area is a 10-block mall lined with trees and flowers with a skyway system of walkways for pedestrians, making it easy to get around. For a different way to get around the city, you can ride the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line. The trolley dating back to the turn of the 19th century once connected Minneapolis with the area’s main lakes, and now you can ride along and enjoy the natural scenery.

The Mall of America with more than 500 stores, restaurants and attractions, is a magnet for kids of all ages with something for everyone. There is a central amusement park for children, LegoLand, a 15-screen movie theater, aquarium underwater adventures with a virtual submarine tour and a shark exhibit that can be toured through an underground glass tunnel, rock-climbing walls, carousel and ferris wheel rides. As you can see, not to be missed and perhaps a good place to spend a rainy day. The Walker Art Center is a contemporary art museum that showcases a large collection of modernist works, artist talks, plays and film screening. Weekends offer interactive family programs, and classes are available for children. In addition, check out the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the largest in the nation, with some interactive sculptures for children.

The Bell Museum of Natural History presents activities for children spread throughout a simulated rainforest environment where they can see a woolly mammoth tusk, turtles and snakes, take a guided tour of diorama halls, art showcases and animal habitats. The gift shop has many unique books on Minnesota biology especially for children. Admission is free for kids under three. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts with its original building dating from 1903 showcases impressionist paintings, American and European artists, and a significant Asian collection. Admission is free. The Minnesota Children’s Museum with its seven interactive galleries is of special interest for children up to 10 years of age where they can explore and learn about science, music and history. The Weisman Art Center, located on the campus of the University of Minnesota, was designed by Frank Gehry, and with its two different facades is a major landmark in Minneapolis. This world-class museum showcases more than 20,000 works by early 20th century American and contemporary artists.

The Stone Arch Bridge, completed in 1883, is a 2100-foot long structure that stands across the Mississippi River, offering a great view of downtown Minneapolis, the river, historic old flourmills, and a spectacular view at night. Recently resurfaced, it provides a good place to walk, bike or just take in the view. Minnehaha Park and Falls provides some beautiful scenery. The Creek carves out a five-mile path along 50th Street to the Mississippi River, and you can walk, bike the trails, or drive along the scenic parkway. The 170-acre park has picnic grounds, playing fields and formal gardens, and a separate trail leads to Fort Snelling State Park. Fort Snelling was designated the first National Historic Landmark in Minneapolis in 1819. It was the hub of the upper Mississippi providing a meeting place for Native Americans, fur traders and settlers. You can hike, bike, ski, fish, canoe, or just walk in the park. The Chain of Lakes, 10 minutes from downtown, offers another great place to walk or bike with 13 miles of paths along the shore, go boating or water-ski, and you can rent a kayak or canoe. For adventurous wintertime fun, ice surfers can slide across the lake surface.

As you can see, there is lots to see and do in Minneapolis, resident and tourist alike – culture, sports, parks, lakes, winter fun, and more. Just remember to bring along a jacket and wear comfy shoes when out and about in Minneapolis.