Welcome to the Squiggles & Giggles Family Daycare information site. 

Are you looking for a safe, fun, educational and loving environment to care for your child?  As a parent myself, I want nothing less than the best for my child.  No one knows your child like you do, but when you can't be available to care for them, you want someone whom you trust and has the same values in raising children as you.

I'd like to introduce myself.  My name is Jennifer (Jen) Barnes and my life-long dream has been to open an in-home daycare.  I graduated from Metropolitan State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis on Child Development, Prevention of Abuse & Neglect and Family Relationships.  I have a very large family, consisting of 50 first cousins all younger than myself.  I have experience working in daycare centers, babysitting for twenty years, being a full-time nanny, and have one child of my own.  Children have always been my way of life, and I have reached my dream of opening an in-home daycare. 

As a parent and caregiver, I believe many things to be important when caring for children.  I am licensed by Wright County as a Class A In-Home Childcare Provider; certified in Pediatric CPR & First Aid, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Shaken Baby Sydrome training; and I have a degree focusing on Child Development.  I believe teaching children through fun, hands-on experiences and positive reinforcement are key in order to build "the love of learning" to help excel academically in the later years.  Discipline should be handled with patience, simple explanations, eye-level communication, choices and eye contact.  All To be done with a calm, understanding voice, while taking the time to teach respect, boundaries, and the importance behind apologizing and forgiveness.  Every child can learn from their mistakes, and I feel it's important they are given the direction and explanation in a positive manner to build independence, character, self-esteem, respect, manners, and problem-solving skills.

I have many values, but the most important to me are honesty, trust, respect and communication.  I want a home where children feel safe and enjoy coming to; a place they can make friends and build a strong foundation for their future both emotionally and academically.  For the parent(s), I want a place they can send their child knowing they are in good hands.  I have an open-door policy, you are welcome to call or stop by anytime; I just ask that if possible, to avoid Nap/Rest Time for the curteosy of the children.  My program is structured; educating children through books, art, music, dance, numbers and letters.  For children over the age of two, I offer a Preschool Curriculum at no additional cost.  Time will be spent in both individual play (i.e. reading books, art) and group play (song, dance, story time).  Individual time teaches independence, builds confidence, and gives them personal space.  Group interaction encourages sharing, communication, and the ability to build strong relationships which benefits the child emotionally.

Additional comments:
Non-smoker, no pets, safe residential area.  Park within walking distance (another coming soon across the street), finished third level dedicated to in-home daycare.