I'd like Feedback on ClubKids.

I have a friend who regularly uses the ClubKids across from Ridgedale. She loves it and has been using it for years. Her daughter is 4, and her son is 7.

Hi there,
We use ClubKid in Edina and are very happy with it. Many of my friends use it also.
I am a nanny and sometimes if I need to go to a doctor's appointment or leave for class and the parents can't get home in time, we use ClubKid.
You won't be able to go in with your child to help them adjust because everyone who goes past the door (into the children's area) has to have a background check (so just people who work there.) Even though I wanted to go in the first time, I feel very comfortable with their security procedures. Due to that, I would suggest keeping the first visit short.
If you know someone who goes there, be sure to say they referred you because then you both get a free hour. (If you don't know anyone, you can use me! :)) And if keep an eye out, you can usually find a coupon in a magazine like the Twin Cities Kids Directory.
I hope that helps.
L. Hendren

ClubKids is fine. The facilities are nice and the staffing ratio isn't all that bad, especially if you're considering keeping your child there for just a small period. That said, it'll be a while before I use the service again myself. I left my 21-month-old there not long ago when I had a job interview. By the time I got to the interview, they called me and asked me to pick my son up because he was sad and wouldn't stop crying unless he was held. While I understand that they don't want to devote one full staffer for a single child, I also know that children do cry, especially when they've grown used to being with their parents as mine had. And if that is going to be their come-get-your-kid threshold, then it is a bit too difficult to trust the service entirely. I don't know if that helps, but there you go ...

Hi L.,
I've used the club Kid location in Edina about 8 years ago. I was very happy with them then. Bloomington has a babysitting co-op so I haven't had to use them since I joined the co-op.

C.

I would not recommend ClubKid. They have high staff turn over and only allow kids 18 months and over, and the individual kids don't get a lot of attention. I have never used it with my own kids, but worked a lot with them with my job before I became a mom.