About Us

Hugs & Hearts is a non-profit, state licensed child care center. It is governed by a Board of Directors with support from a strong Parent Advisory Board. Registration is open to any child regardless of race, religion, creed or ethnic origin. On a daily basis, the center serves 59 children ranging in age from six weeks to five years.

The purpose of Hugs & Hearts is to provide quality child care in a loving and safe environment. Teacher qualifications and class ratios are within the guidelines set by the Minnesota State Licensing Department for Child Care Centers.

Children attending Hugs & Hearts are divided by age into developmentally appropriate play groups. The purpose of each play group is to provide opportunities for children to explore their environment, to socialize, and to use manipulative materials to encourage the development of new skills. Teachers are responsible for planning activities that meet each child’s individual needs yet encompass a balance of individual, small group, and large group activities

These activities ensure that each child will grow in areas not only of psychomotor skills but also emotional, intellectual, creative and social abilities.

Teachers plan activities based on broad objectives or themes. Child directed play is stressed over adult directed activities. The role of the teacher and parent volunteer in the classroom is of guidance and assistance.

Activities are set up to encourage the child to learn to make choices, to follow through, and to develop independence. Opportunities are provided which encourage the children to develop new skills and reinforce current levels of achievement in the areas of social, cognitive, language and motor development. Small group activities are optional for each child and do not emphasize end products or academics.

Play experiences are an essential part of the program as play is one of the most important vehicles through which a young child’s learning occurs. Role-playing, music, and arts are all experiences which contribute to the learning of language development, self-esteem, and school readiness skills. Children are given opportunities to choose activities and structure the day according to their own interest as much as possible.