Minnesota child care programs are required to be licensed unless the program is license-exempt. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) licenses and monitors child care centers, while county/tribal licensing agencies monitor family child care programs.
Licensing and certification ensure that programs meet basic health and safety standards, including:
Background checks for all staff
Safe physical environments
Appropriate staff-to-child ratios
Health and safety protocols
Staff training requirements
Parent Aware is Minnesota's Quality Rating and Improvement System that helps parents find quality child care and early education programs. Programs that volunteer to participate receive a Star Rating (1-4 Stars) based on their use of research-based practices that prepare children for school and life.
Star Ratings indicate a program's commitment to:
Training and education for teachers
Use of curriculum and assessment tools
Family communication and involvement
Physical health and wellbeing practices
The Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible families pay for child care so parents can work or attend school. CCAP is administered by Minnesota counties under the direction of the Department of Human Services.
Eligibility is based on:
Income guidelines
Participation in work, job search, or education
Family size
Minnesota's Early Learning Scholarships help eligible families pay for high-quality early childhood programs to prepare their children for school. Scholarships can be used at eligible Parent Aware-rated programs.
Priority for scholarships is given to:
Children with special needs
Children in foster care
Children in families experiencing homelessness
Children from low-income families
Help Me Grow provides resources for families to understand developmental milestones and learn if there are concerns about a child's development. This free program connects families to early intervention services.
ECFE is a program for all Minnesota families with children between birth and kindergarten age. The program provides parent education to support children's learning and development through parent-child activities.
The Children's Cabinet coordinates services and policies across state agencies to support healthy development and educational achievement of Minnesota's children.
The MDH provides resources on childhood immunizations, nutrition, safety, and other health-related topics for families with young children.
CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in participating child care centers, family child care homes, and afterschool programs.
First Children's Finance helps families find and afford quality child care and early education, while also supporting child care businesses to be financially sustainable.
Child Care Aware of Minnesota helps families find child care and provides resources to support child development and parenting.
PACER Center provides assistance to families of children with disabilities, helping them navigate early intervention services and educational systems.