Child care

Center for Inclusive Child Care is a comprehensive resource network for supporting inclusive care for children. The Center for Inclusive Child Care Inclusion Consultation and Support Services provide support to child care and school age care providers, enabling them to successfully include and retain children with special needs and those with challenging behaviors into their community child care programs. Services include consultation, technical assistance, resources, research and referral support, observation, and staff development in both face-to-face and online venues. The agency’s website has a helpful resource library about autism for parents and child care providers.

For more than 25 years, Child Care Aware of Minnesota has helped families find child care, supported the professional growth of child care providers, and informed our local communities on the importance of quality early education for every child 

Its services, resources, and partnerships work toward building a diverse child care system that's accessible to all Minnesota families.

Too many of Minnesota's children are not prepared for kindergarten. Parent Aware has tools and information to find the best quality child care and early education for your child. Search more than 12,000 programs by quality rating, location, schedule and more on the website. Children benefit from care and education that will prepare them for school and life. The website is presented in four different languages.

“Questions to Ask When Seeking Child Care for Children with Special Needs,” from the Center for Inclusive Child Care, helps family members when they seek an early care and education program for a child with special needs.

Additional resources help families access services and childcare to help their children grow and develop.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services administers the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps income-eligible families pay for child care and helps child care and other early learning programs improve the quality of care they offer. The department provides details about eligibility requirements for different child care options. E-mail CCAP or call 651-431-3809.

This publicly funded program offers educational programs for children ages 3 to 5. It also offers nutritional services, prenatal services, health services and parenting education to families with children under the age of 5. It is primarily for children from families with low incomes. Sometimes a child who qualifies for a preschool Special Education program may receive services in a Head Start classroom, even if the child’s family has an income exceeding the limit for Head Start.

Children with disabilities have rights in child care settings. For further information, the Rights of Children with Disabilities (PDF) can help.

Early Childhood Family Education is a program for Minnesota parents, expectant parents and relative with children from birth to kindergarten age.

Think Small provides information to help families search for child care and early childhood education programs. They also provide services, resources, and advocacy for early childhood education programs in Minnesota.