A website to help smooth the search for a nanny. Users can advertise for a nanny and search nanny ads in the site's nationwide Nanny Classifieds - 30 day ads start at $89.

You can also look up agencies in your area and compare fees and policies online.

Other helpful tools include sample work agreements, interview questions, an Ask the Experts forum and more.

A website to help smooth the search for a nanny. Users can advertise for a nanny and search nanny ads in the site's nationwide Nanny Classifieds - 30 day ads start at $89.

You can also look up agencies in your area and compare fees and policies online.

Other helpful tools include sample work agreements, interview questions, an Ask the Experts forum and more.

4nannies.com is an online directory of nannies seeking work that allows parents to review applicants 24 hours a day. Candidate resumes expire after 21 days.

Searching the database is free. After signing up, members can directly contact any of the listed nannies right away. It's up to families to check references; 4nannies.com only does criminal background checks - that's one reason it's much cheaper than full-service agencies.

Want to try before you buy? A 14-day guest membership is available for free. The guest membership does not offer all the benefits of paid membership, but it gives parents a good idea of what's available. Parents who commit to the 120-day membership plan receive a discount on future membership renewals.

4sitters.com is an online resource for babysitters, nannies, pet sitting providers, tutors, home daycare providers, and house sitters, anywhere in the world.

The site offers search tools; a sitter rating system; a sitter job posting and messaging service; and the ability to review the resumes of babysitters, nannies, home daycare centers, house sitters, and pet sitting providers before purchasing a membership.

The network extends to every state in the US and is available anywhere in the world.

Prospective members can register and evaluate the service for free. Follow the instructions on the website, and then verify that there are sitters in the area and review a sitter's experience and background before purchasing a membership. Resumes may include availability, pay rate, preferred age group, a photo, and references.

Membership is $6.99 a month, with a one-time setup fee of $34.99. The membership is auto-renewed for $6.99
every month thereafter; members can cancel at any time. Or purchase a lifetime, transferable membership for a one-time fee of $149.99. When you no longer need the service, your are free to transfer, sell, or give away your membership to whom ever you choose.

4sitters.com is an online resource for babysitters, nannies, pet sitting providers, tutors, home daycare providers, and house sitters, anywhere in the world.

The site offers search tools; a sitter rating system; a sitter job posting and messaging service; and the ability to review the resumes of babysitters, nannies, home daycare centers, house sitters, and pet sitting providers before purchasing a membership.

The network extends to every state in the US and is available anywhere in the world.

Prospective members can register and evaluate the service for free. Follow the instructions on the website, and then verify that there are sitters in the area and review a sitter's experience and background before purchasing a membership. Resumes may include availability, pay rate, preferred age group, a photo, and references.

Membership is $6.99 a month, with a one-time setup fee of $34.99. The membership is auto-renewed for $6.99
every month thereafter; members can cancel at any time. Or purchase a lifetime, transferable membership for a one-time fee of $149.99. When you no longer need the service, your are free to transfer, sell, or give away your membership to whom ever you choose.

In addition to offering insurance, classes, equipment, and information to its members (who are childcare providers), this resource organization offers a childcare referral service for parents in Minnesota.

Au Pair International provides families with a flexible childcare solution. Because au pairs are live-in, they have the flexibility to care for children at the times that accommodate a family's schedule. Au pairs may also assist with childcare related light housekeeping and duties.

Au pairs in the program are proficient in spoken English and must pass a screening, background, and personal interview process. All candidates have documented childcare experience and must complete a 32-hour childcare training program, which includes development stages, CPR, nutrition, infant care, safety, age appropriate activities, child illnesses, and more.

Consult the website for pricing and application information.

Au Pair USA provides families with affordable childcare and an opportunity to bring another culture into the home. Visit the website for more information.

AuPair-Options.com is an online service designed to connect families looking for childcare with candidate au pairs throughout the world. A monthly fee is required to take advantage of all of the available services.

Parents seeking a sitter for a night out, a last-minute replacement, or a sitter for ongoing childcare may find the right person through BabySitters.com, a website that provides detailed babysitter profiles. Parents who sign up for the service can search for a sitter and/or post a job for a sitter.

The website also offers a "how-to" series for both parents and sitters. For parents, the series covers everything from doing a background check to how much a sitter should be paid. For sitters, the series covers topics that include certifications, training, how much to charge, how to interview, and a checklist for working with a new family.

Care.com is an online service that matches families with caregivers - including babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, dog walkers, tutors, and respite care for seniors.

Families can search Care.com by their zip code or metro area to find listings of caregivers who match their specific needs. Search results include enhanced caregiver profiles - with photos, video interviews, and references - which families can view before contacting a caregiver about a job. Plus, families can request free background checks on any caregiver as part of their monthly membership.

Child Care Aware is a non-profit organization that helps parents find child care, and provides information and resources regarding what to look for to aid in the decision-making process.

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.

College Nannies & Tutors provides one-on-one tutors for kids ages three and up, and for ACT/SAT preparation. The agency also places nannies in families with children from infants to teens. Background and reference checks are performed on prospective nannies and tutors.

In addition, the agency storefront serves as an outpost of kiddywampus, offering a small selection of the colorful toys and playthings for which the main St. Louis Park store is known.

Cultural Care Au Pair is an experienced and trusted childcare and cultural exchange program that's offered families flexible, live-in childcare with a unique international perspective since 1989.

Au pairs live in the home as a member of the family, allowing children the benefits of one-to-one, committed, and caring companionship. Au pairs are 18-26 years old, speak English, and have previous experience working with children. All are high school graduates with a sincere interest in living with an American family for a year. Childcare experience varies by candidate and may include babysitting for family, friends, and neighbors, as well as helping with playgroups or working at day care centers.

An extensive network of Cultural Care Au Pair local coordinators carefully screens au pair candidates, and supports families and au pairs throughout the year. Monthly check-ins and meetings help things go smoothly.

This parent-owned online directory of childcare options includes in-home providers, nannies, childcare centers, and babysitters, serving infants through school-age children. The website also offers links to helpful articles on parenting, state oversight agencies, and more.

The database is searchable by zip code, children's ages, and type of care required. Results include contact information; a description of the services offered; the staff, philosophy, licensing, and facilities of the provider; and hours of operation. Helpful icons beside search matches indicate which providers offer drop-in services and off-hours care; some listings include photos.

A very minimal amount of information can be gathered from a free search of the site - name of daycare, how many children of various ages are cared for by the provider, address, and phone number. To get additional information - hours of operation, website address, photos, etc. - parents must subscribe.

A note of caution: Listed providers are not screened, so while the site is a great starting point in a search for childcare, it's imperative that parents check out claims regarding licensing, staff, and facilities.

Early Intervention Central Intake's "first-step" information - referrals and support - helps Minnesota parents of children from birth to age three who have concerns about their child's development and behavior.

The service helps identify children with delays or disorders pertaining to sensory, physical, mental, or emotional development - including autism, hearing impairment, and neural muscular disorders - and facilitates screenings, evaluations, and service coordination.

The enormous Edina Community Center houses numerous community information organizations, and hosts all manner of recreational classes and programming for toddlers, seniors, and everyone in between. We dare you not to get lost the first time you wander its seemingly endless halls - might happen the second and third times, too!

Just a few of the center's offerings: reasonably-priced private and group music lessons; preschool programming, including art, science, and drama, and parent-child classes; open gym time; classes by Mad Science, Abrakadoodle, Mannerly Manners, and other organizations; and language, sports, and test preparation programs.

The Family Center offers classes for parents with elementary age kids that pick up where ECFE leaves off. SURGE, in Room 136, provides afterschool supervision for kids in grades six to nine. The Edina Resource Center provides resident and relocating parents with a wealth of information on Edina schools, childcare, youth activities, and more.

Through its website, hotline, and office, the Edina Resource Center provides parents with a wealth of information - confidentially and at no charge - on Edina school facilities and policies; childcare options; extracurricular, sports, and other youth activities; family programming; and more.

EurAupair provides families with affordable childcare and an opportunity to bring another culture into the home. Visit the website for more information.

Families searching for childcare help can practically "try before they buy" - searching for an aupair/nanny within specific criteria, choosing those favorites using a "hotlist", and sending instant notification is sent to those that seem most compatible.

Aupairs around the world await families, and their listings specify their most desirable situation. Families searching for an au pair can list their information and criteria, too.

For complete contact information, however, membership is required.

When life stresses overwhelm parents, the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is there to help prevent child abuse and neglect. The Nursery provides a safe and loving environment for kids; and dignity, overnight respite childcare, and referrals for parents at the end of their ropes. Services are provided 365 days a year for families throughout Hennepin County, in a compassionate, non-shaming atmosphere.

Free services include a 24-hour crisis hotline; crisis counseling for parents; up to 3 days of emergency residential childcare; parent education; in-home visits; and referrals.

Parent Crisis Hotline: 763.591.0100.

The organization has numerous volunteer opportunities, and welcomes donations of cash, toys, clothing, supplies.

A referral agency providing candidates for all a family's domestic needs, including nannies, babysitters, housekeepers, personal assistants, personal chefs, and more. The agency serves the entire Twin Cities metro area.

Parents can search the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network's online database - after filling out a short form for free registration - by location, hours, type of care, and children's ages. Results show a provider's name and contact information, hours, rates, and information on teacher credentials and the care environment. The website also lists information regarding childcare fees, and links to resources for families seeking financial aid. Phone assistance is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

Online interactive classes through the network's Eager-to-Learn program explore developmental issues, literacy, finding childcare, and other issues of concern to parents.

Mothers of Preschoolers is an international organization established to meet the needs of moms - urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms - with an emphasis on those with preschoolers.

MOPS is similar to MOMS Clubs, but with a Christian influence. Most local meetings take place in area churches. Little ones are typically welcome at local events. Find a local chapter by visiting the national website.

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.

Established in 1984, Nanny Professionals helps parents find live-in, live-out, summer and temporary help, including sitters.

Established in 1984, Nanny Professionals helps parents find live-in, live-out, summer and temporary help, including sitters.

Serving the seven-county metro area, Resources for Child Caring provides tools and services to strengthen parents and caregivers, including classes, a special needs program, and resources and referrals to help parents meet their childcare needs.

The center's Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Resource Library has more than 3,000 articles, books, and DVDs with information on child development and behavior, and ideas for activities.

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.

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.

Outgrown ECFE but still looking for support and guidance as your children enter their teen years? Shoulder to Shoulder shares practical, evidence-based information and offers parenting tips and classes, resource referrals, and other help for parents navigating the tricky waters of adolescence.

A website for families looking for sitters and sitters looking for work, both can meet up in this virtual neighborhood cafe.

SitterCafe.com focuses on local help for parents age 13 and older. Parents pay a small fee to gain access to the information and sitters may use the site for free.

Sittercity.com provides an Internet platform for parents and babysitters to meet and communicate with each other. Parents and sitters create personal profiles which are used to help identify possible matches.

Searches can be conducted by personal details, college, transportation capabilities, and other special qualifications. The site has articles, tips, and checklists for sitters and parents - as well as helpful information on responsible sitting and emergency care.

All information entered into the database is protected for privacy and security.

SittersSearch is designed to help parents and families find sitters in their area. Searching the site to see if sitters are available in your area is free; to contact a prospective sitter, membership is required.

St. David's - a non-profit, non-sectarian agency serving the west metro area since 1961 - offers year-round early education for children ages 16 months to five years old, including music and Spanish enrichment classes, and flexible scheduling options. Children with varying needs are welcome.

Services also include rehabilitative and mental health therapy for children and families, support services for children and young adults with special needs, and intervention services aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.