My name is Stefanie Berge, and I am the proud owner and operator of Tender Heart Childcare. Tender Heart Childcare is more than a business to me. It is the fulfillment of a nearly 30 year dream to positively and creatively impact the crucial developmental years in a child’s life. The seeds of this vision were first planted when I took a
My name is Stefanie Berge, and I am the proud owner and operator of Tender Heart Childcare. Tender Heart Childcare is more than a business to me. It is the fulfillment of a nearly 30 year dream to positively and creatively impact the crucial developmental years in a child’s life. The seeds of this vision were first planted when I took a CPR and childcare safety class through the Red Cross and would influence my course of study through high school and college.
Professional growth is a key component of my successful childcare business. In 2008, the MLFCCA awarded me their Childcare Provider of the Year award which can only be won by being nominated by a childcare parent and only awarded once in a lifetime. I’m also the director for the Bloomington Family Child Care Association. (BFCCA) This organization provides vital networking support for training and continued education.
The Tender Heart Childcare program and philosophy was designed with excellence in mind. I believe that every child needs to feel loved and wanted. They need to know that people near them truly care about them as unique and special children. Every child needs the security of a safe environment. Each child must trust that parents and other
The Tender Heart Childcare program and philosophy was designed with excellence in mind. I believe that every child needs to feel loved and wanted. They need to know that people near them truly care about them as unique and special children. Every child needs the security of a safe environment. Each child must trust that parents and other protective adults will be there in times of need. Children need to believe they are always accepted for themselves, not only when their behavior meets certain standards. Every child needs to be challenged to grow and develop individually. Children also have the right to know that there are limits and that they will be held to those limits by those with responsibility. Every child needs to be encouraged to try new things, to grow and find confidence in themselves and their ability to do things with growing independence. Based on these beliefs, the Tender Heart Childcare Philosophy then becomes simple. Every child needs LOVE, SECURITY, ACCEPTANCE, CONTROL, GUIDANCE and PROTECTION. I will provide this by understanding each parent’s unique set of values and by following an established plan for each child.
1. To provide each child with security and the opportunity to develop through exploration and education in a safe, therapeutic and stimulating environment.
2. To clearly understand the values important to every parent and to ensure the best possible care for each child.
3. To bring laughter, learning and love to all of our children on a
1. To provide each child with security and the opportunity to develop through exploration and education in a safe, therapeutic and stimulating environment.
2. To clearly understand the values important to every parent and to ensure the best possible care for each child.
3. To bring laughter, learning and love to all of our children on a daily basis!
As important as a clean, cheerful and efficient facility is, it is nothing without the philosophy that is the heartbeat of the program. At Tender Heart Childcare, I provide the curriculum structure of a daycare center combined with the small, loving environment of home-based care. I use the
123 Learn Curriculum because of its emphasis on theme-based learning to which I incorporate hands-on experimental learning. The children that graduate from Tender Heart score quite well on Kindergarten readiness tests and are more than adequately prepared for elementary school. This program is also easily adaptable to children with special needs.
In addition to 123 Learn Curriculum, I supplement the daily lesson plans with other educational and creative ideas. I employ a music teacher from Growing with Music to provide a weekly music lesson as well.
The families of the children are also a special and vital part of Tender Heart Childcare. Every day they are provided with a daily activity sheet as well as face-to-face verbal communication regarding the day’s activities. I write a monthly newsletter and email updates as needed. I love to involve the parents in special events like our preschool graduation that includes a full ceremony and catered dinner with cake and ice cream. We also enjoy several family fun nights throughout the year.
***LOVE*** is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Stefanie and Tender Heart Childcare. There is no In-Home or Childcare Center as great as her. We have had our 2 year old daughter with Stefanie for almost a year and we are amazed at the things she has learned. Stefanie is the most personable, professional and compassionate person I have met. She truly cares for the children as if they were her own. She has different activities planned each day with the kids that help them with spelling, counting, reading, potty training, consequences and so much more, all while having a great time. We receive monthly newsletters that inform us of what the kids will be focusing on so we are always informed. She is very special to us and is considered to be part of our family. My daughter asks every night and every morning if she is going to “Stefi’s”. I drop my daughter off every day knowing she is being loved, safe, cared for, learning, eating right and much more. I cannot say enough great things and have a friendship for life!
Anna C.
It was a happy accident that we discovered Stefanie and Tender Heart Childcare had an opening at the precise moment we were looking. After interviewing a couple other in-home daycares for our son, who was 9 months at the time, Stefanie was by far the best choice. In the 9 months since then, we've become only more grateful to have found her. We trust her implicitly to take great care of our son by keeping him safe and healthy. In addition to that most important requirement, Stefanie goes above and beyond by providing education, fun art activities, and things like weekly music class. Not only is she very knowledgeable about child development, as she attends continuing education to further her expertise, you can also tell she has a passion for what she does. I would highly recommend Tender Heart Childcare.
Chelsea T.
We have been thrilled with childcare provided by Stefanie! Outside of providing a great curriculum Stefanie truly cares for each child as an individual and is always compassionate and loving towards them. Stefanie also recognizes the importance of play alongside curriculum, a trait you won't always find in a center childcare environment. We cannot speak highly enough of how fortunate we are to have our children in Stefanie's care. We continue to be impressed more and more by her!
Casey S.
Stef has been a part of our family for many years. She was my younger brother's provider & now is our daughter's provider. Her wonderful curriculum and food programs ensure us, as parents, that we have made the right choice as to who teaches and loves our child while we are not there. We love Stef and everything that she does. Her hard work & love for kiddos is shown every day!
Tiara E.
Our twins have been with Stefanie since they were 8 months old. We couldn't be more pleased with her role in our life...but especially in the lives of our "littles." She has been incredibly intentional about nurturing their social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual development--keeping record of their "early childhood indicators of progress," celebrating their successes and offering advice in areas where they require development. At their 3-year well-check, their pediatrician was blown away by their ability to identify letters on the vision chart, and to articulate their favorite foods and activities. Importantly, Stefanie identifies the need for "kids to be kids." To that end, she creates an in-home care and learning environment that provides plenty of time for the playful-ness and silly-ness that should FILL a charmed childhood!
Becky D.
...since the early days at daycare, we've seen and heard all about the amazing things our kids have learned from Stefanie...sign language, music, how to pronounce their "t's", "please and thank-you's", how to get dressed (which is especially awesome in the winter months in Minnesota!:), "how to help"--you name it...Stefanie is unbelievable...so, let me just take this moment to say...thank you, thank you, thank you, Stefanie...for teaching our kids, for loving our kids like that...I am impressed and inspired...you're the "+1" to my wife and I, you're the best around...
Dave D.
Stefanie,
There are a lot of things you have done and continue to do every day for our kids. We could talk about the games, curriculum, the great peer group of kids, the class, the discipline, the stories, the treats, the toys, the parties, the graduation ceremonies, the music, the Stef-isms and so very much more. The most important thing, however is not what we can see or touch but what we can’t.
You give our kids undeniable, irreplaceable, unconditional love that gives them confidence to be themselves no matter what the situation. You teach them letters, sounds, numbers and colors, but you also teach them strength, perseverance, respect and kindness. You teach them to be productive, patient, healthy and worth-while children. You teach them they are valuable. Without these things, we believe, children cannot grow into productive, healthy and happy adults.
You make all the difference in the world to our children and to us. Your support is always stellar and beyond the call of duty.
Thank you for loving us and more importantly for loving our kids! We are incredibly blessed to you, not to mention work with you.
You have so much to be proud of; so many hearts and lives changes because of what you do. As your t-shirt says,” I’m a preschool teacher. What’s your super power?”
Love you!
The Spotts
If you have questions about the opportunities available to you in our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Monday - Friday: 7:00am - 4:30pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
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