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OUR STORY
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Minneapolis Poppins is the newest member of the Poppins family, now serving Minneapolis and the west metro with care, heart, and years of experience behind the team.
The story began with Karine Kvam, a Minnesota native who grew up in Rochester with a deep love for children and a natural gift for connecting with families. Over the years, Karine worked in countless roles—from nanny to mental health counselor to preschool teacher—always learning how important it is to find the right person to care for children. Having personally experienced the challenge of searching for trustworthy childcare, Karine was inspired to start Rochester Poppins in 2021. Since then, Poppins has grown, with Duluth and now Minneapolis joining the family.
In Minneapolis, Claire Zimny leads the team as Location Manager. Claire has been involved in childcare her whole life—she spent a decade as a nanny and household manager and pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education. What truly sets Claire apart is that she’s also a mom, balancing the beautiful chaos of parenting alongside her professional expertise. She understands firsthand the relief and joy that come from finding someone trustworthy to care for children and is passionate about creating that experience for Minneapolis families.
Claire was chosen to lead Minneapolis Poppins not only for her extensive experience and education but also for her genuine heart and go-getter attitude. She shows up fully, listens carefully, and cares deeply—qualities that are essential to the spirit and growth of Minneapolis Poppins.
What drives the team every day is simple: childcare is more than just a service. It’s about relationships, trust, and truly understanding each family. Rather than just providing a list of candidates, Minneapolis Poppins takes the time to listen, ask questions, and learn what makes each family unique to find the best possible nanny match—not just on paper, but in everyday life.
Launching Minneapolis Poppins feels like coming home. The team is proud to be part of this community and honored to help families find peace of mind, trusted partners, and a little extra joy in the busy days of parenting.
In the Press
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WHAT WE VALUE
-Exceptional care for children that meets their developmental needs rather than simply getting them through the day.
-Integrity every step of the way.
-Strategy, precision, and positive insight in the match-making process.
-Retention and long-term matches, whenever possible.
-Empowering Nannies and families to uphold industry standards for sustainable and fulfilling partnerships.
-Opportunities for Grandnannies, Mannies, and everyone in-between.
-Parents feeling fully supported to take their place in the workforce, knowing their home is in great hands.
-Opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, faith, or orientation. We welcome everyone.
-Safety of children, families, and Nannies in all placements.
-Giving back to local community members and organizations in need.
​Poppins is committed to inclusivity and equal opportunity for all families and caregivers. Our non-discrimination policy and guidelines for working with children with special needs are available upon request.
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Our evidence-based childcare advice is something we emphasize every step of the way in our educational resources and in the Nannies that work with us.
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What is developmental psychology? Developmental psychology is a field that covers human development throughout the lifespan, from birth through death. It focuses on understanding how the human brain develops, and how previous areas of development affect future stages of life. Using developmental psychology to guide our parenting choices, we can raise kiddos who are well equipped for adulthood with a solid foundation of emotional and mental health. We empower our caregivers and families to teach kids how to navigate the world around them in a peaceful and cooperative way.
Developmental Psych-Backed Childcare Advice