History
Our founder Jan (Erickson) Ashbaugh felt called to a future caring for children while she herself was still a child. She followed her heart and pursued an education in early-childhood development. Jan received extensive training both in the classroom and on the job as she worked in the field for six years. Eventually she realized the only way she could do for children what she thought was best was to start her own company and set the standards herself.

In 1986 Jan started an infant only program providing care for twelve infants. Our satisfied parents then asked for more. They wanted The Cradle Club to develop a toddler and preschool program so their children could continue growing with us! While Jan was an expert in children, she needed someone with expertise in business to help her take the next step. In October 1987, Jan joined forces with her brother Scott, a business graduate, to put together an expansion plan.

Expansion
In February of 1989, the Downtown Minneapolis Butler Square location opened to care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with a capacity to serve 98 children.

In September of 1989, the Edina location opened and now serves 112 children from age 6 weeks to kindergarten.

All in the Family
At the birth of her third child, Jan phased out of her full-time responsibilities at the Cradle Club to be a stay-at-home mom. And in December of 2000 Scott’s new bride Maria phased in. With an extensive background in communications as well now being a mother of three small children, Maria serves as The Cradle Club’s CEO. Maria has created a Cradle Club Code of Excellence for staff working with each age group of children and many other training tools to encourage growth and excellence in our teachers. She provides monthly leadership training for our Directors, teachers and assistant teachers and consults with our Directors on how to best meet the needs of our children and staff.

Scott continues in the role in which he began as the business expert that helps keep the business details in order so we can all focus on lots of laughter, learning and love with our amazing kids!

To top it off, our founder Jan Ashbaugh remains a part of the Cradle Club as our “on-call” expert consultant! Isn’t family great?!

Maria Erickson enjoying a good book with toddler friends!

Scott and Maria Erickson (owners)