Welcome! This page describes resources that may be useful to you as an existing or aspiring early care and education provider. Use the drop-down lists below to find information on topics you are looking for.
If this page does not answer your questions, or you would like to connect with a person who will help you find what you need, connect with the Child Care Wayfinder Network through Child Care Aware of Minnesota.
Another helpful resource is this Child Care and Education: Help for you at every stage guide from the Department of Human Services, which walks you through the steps of starting and building a program and points to partners who can help you at each step along the way.
Resources to Support Program Leaders – Child Care Aware also supports the specific needs of leaders in early care and education programs, such as program directors or assistant directors. Programs include Tell Talks, a monthly webinar series; an online Director Credential cohort program that meets all the director training requirements for NAEYC accreditation; and professional development opportunities tailored specifically for program leaders.
The Center for Inclusive Child Care provides free relationship-based professional development for child care providers in Minnesota. Coaching is available on many topics, including inclusion of children with special needs and/or challenging behaviors; health and safety best practices; and caring for infants and toddlers.
If you are interested in starting, sustaining, or expanding a licensed child care center or family child care program, Child Care Wayfinder is a statewide network that can help you find the information and resources you need. The website offers information and connection to resources. If you prefer to connect with a person who can support you through the process, find your local navigator.
The Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) are six regional foundations working to strengthen the communities and economies of Greater Minnesota. MIFs provide grants, business loans, programs, and donor services to their communities. One MIF program is the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, which supports communities to address the early care and education shortage. Learn more about MIFs' support for child care on this page.
Parent Aware is Minnesota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Child care programs that meet certain requirements can receive a rating on a four-star scale, which helps guide families to high-quality early care and education programs. Participating offers a variety of benefits (including financial benefits). Parent Aware Quality Coaches and Professional Development Advisors help programs through the process. The Parent Aware website also offers navigation tools and resources including vacancies shared by providers for families searching for care.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides technical assistance and financial opportunities for small businesses. SBA Resource Partners are local organizations that can provide free training and business counseling, mentorship, loans, and other resources.
The State of Minnesota offers grants to help early care and education programs start up, maintain stability, improve their facilities, and purchase needed materials and supplies.
Child Care Economic Development Grants
Child Care Economic Development Grants, a program of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), provide funding to local communities to increase access to quality child care programs. Local governments, tribal nations, and nonprofit organizations can apply; current or aspiring child care providers may partner with one of these organizations to apply. Funds can be used for child care business startups or expansions, training, facility modifications, direct subsidies or incentives to retain employees, or improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements.
Child Care Facility Revitalization Grants
Child Care Facility Revitalization Grants, available through First Children’s Finance, are open to child care centers, family child care providers, certified child care centers, and legal non-licensed providers registered with CCAP. Funds can be used to improve facilities and purchase related equipment.
Child Care Stabilization Grants
Child Care Stabilization Grants are federally-funded grants administered by the Department of Human Services to help stabilize the child care industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there are two active stabilization grant programs: Child Care Stabilization Base Grants, which are available monthly to all eligible providers, and Financial Hardship Grants, available to programs facing extreme financial hardship.
Regional Grants
Regional Grants, available through the Child Care Aware of Minnesota network, can be used for supplies, equipment, technology, and training. Grant applications are available on September 1 each year and due by September 25. To learn more, contact your local Child Care Aware District.
Start-Up Grants
Start-Up Grants help child care providers and programs purchase items or making improvements that are required by licensing or the Fire Marshall. These grants are available to providers and programs who are soon to be licensed or who have been licensed for less than six months. To learn more, contact your local Child Care Aware District.
Emergency Grants
Emergency Grants help providers or programs who have experienced an emergency that directly affects their ability to provide care. Emergencies include natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes, weather-related damage not covered by homeowners' or business insurance (such as frozen pipes or hail), increased costs related to a pandemic, and other unforeseen circumstances. To learn more, contact your local Child Care Aware District.
There are many programs to help boost pay and cover costs of training and education for early educators. For program leaders, sharing about these opportunities with your employees may help with recruitment and retention.
CDA Awards
CDA Awards help cover the costs of training, application, and renewal for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Eligible applicants must hold a current Develop Individual Membership and complete all training requirements for a CDA. Educators can apply to be reimbursed for the cost of this training.
Child Care Stabilization Grants
Child Care Stabilization Grants can help programs increase compensation for their employees. In particular, Child Care Stabilization Base Grants, which are available monthly to all eligible providers, include a requirement that 70% of the grant amount be used to increase compensation for staff regularly caring for children.
Foreign Credential Evaluation Scholarships
Foreign Credential Evaluation Scholarships are available to early educators who have completed high school and/or higher education coursework outside of the United States and who would like to have their education and professionalism recognized by Achieve – the Minnesota Center for Professional Development. Eligible applicants must be working or volunteering in a Minnesota early childhood program, and that program and the individual applicant must have current accounts in Develop.
Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship
The Minnesota Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship is a pilot program that provides scholarships of up to $10,000 per year (for students enrolled full-time) to eligible undergraduate and graduate students preparing to become teachers, including those in two-year programs for early educators. Learn more on the Office of Higher Education website.
Minnesota Freedom Together Grants
Minnesota Freedom Together Grants offer a tuition-free pathway to earn a certificate, diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree at any public institution in Minnesota in high-need career areas, including early childhood. Grants are available until 2024 or until all available funding is expended. For more information, see the Office of Higher Education website.
REETAIN Bonuses
REETAIN Bonuses are financial bonuses for early childhood educators that can pay for professional or personal expenses. Bonuses, which are available annually, range from $500-$3,000 and are available to center-based educators and family child care providers. Awardees receive half of the amount up front and half after six months.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarships
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarships help eligible early educators work toward college credits and degrees. T.E.A.C.H. scholarships will cover up to 85% of the cost of tuition and books for up to 18 credits per year, plus a travel stipend and a raise and/or bonus upon completion of 9 credits. There are also scholarships available for early childhood trainers.
The State of Minnesota offers several programs to help families pay for early care and education. As a provider, it helps to know about these programs so you can share about them with families and so you know what you need to do to accept these forms of payment.
Child Care Assistance Program
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps low-income families pay for child care while caregivers are at work, school, or training. Family qualification factors vary based on whether a family currently or recently participated in the Minnesota Family Investment Program or otherwise meets income limits. Information about participating in CCAP as a provider is available on the DHS website.
Early Learning Scholarships
Early Learning Scholarships help families who meet income eligibility requirements afford high-quality child care and early education programs. Scholarships are mainly available to families with children between the ages of three and four, with inclusion of younger children in some cases. Scholarships must be used at a program with a Parent Aware rating or one that will earn a rating within the next six months. Scholarships are managed by regional Area Administrators; to learn about the process for accepting Early Learning Scholarships as a provider, contact your local Area Administrator (PDF).
Other family supports
Several other financial aid and tax relief programs can help families afford early care and education; learn more on the Parent Aware website.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides payments for well-balanced, nutritious meals and snacks in early care and learning settings. To learn more, see detailed information about CACFP for family child care programs or for center-based programs. CACFP is a federal program administered by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Several organizations around the state offer business loans specifically for child care programs. In addition, other local organizations may offer financial resources that meet the needs of your program.
First Children's Finance
First Children’s Finance is a national nonprofit organization that offers loans and business development assistance to child care businesses. All First Children’s Finance loans include help with child care business management. To learn more about First Children’s Finance loans, see the First Children’s Finance website.
Minnesota Initiative Foundations
Each of the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations across Greater Minnesota includes an Early Childhood Initiative to support local communities’ early care and education needs. Each foundation provides different kinds of support, including financial support, to their community. To learn more about what resources are available in your area, contact your local Initiative Foundation.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides technical assistance and financial opportunities for small businesses. SBA Resource Partners are local organizations that can provide free training and business counseling, mentorship, loans, and other resources.
Women Venture
Women Venture is a nonprofit organization in Minnesota that helps women-owned businesses access the tools and resources to achieve economic success. Their Child Care Business Services program includes training and consulting for child care businesses and loans to help child care businesses launch and grow. To learn more about Women Venture loans, see the Women Venture website.
Develop is Minnesota’s Quality Improvement and Registry system for early education and school-age care professionals. The tool offers memberships for individuals and organizations. With an individual membership you can search and register for training events and track your professional development and educational achievements. Individuals can also apply to be endorsed as trainers, coaches, consultants or mentors. An organizational membership allows programs to apply for Parent Aware participation and for certain grants, track their employees’ professional development, and apply to host training events.
Search for training and professional development opportunities
Develop’s training search page allows you to search for upcoming training and professional development opportunities. This includes in-person, virtual, and anytime learning opportunities.
Empower to Educate is a workforce development program available through Child Care Aware of Minnesota. This program is open to individuals interested in beginning a career in early care and education. Empower to Educate offers personalized advice and support, free training, help with searching for a job, and a hiring bonus.
Achieve job board
Achieve, Minnesota’s Center for Professional Development, has a job board focused on the early care and education field. Educators can search for available job openings, and programs can post open positions.
Minnesota’s early care and education career lattice outlines steps in training, education, and credentials for an early educator to advance in their career. Educators’ levels on the career lattice can help programs earn points toward Parent Aware certification.
Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Frameworks outline what early educators need to know to work effectively in the field. The framework includes what educators should know about child development and learning, developmentally appropriate learning experiences, and assessment, evaluation, and individualization. There are three versions of the framework: a framework for working with infants and toddlers (PDF), a framework for family child care (PDF), and a framework for working with preschool-age children (PDF).
The federal government has expanded benefits available to Minnesotans through MNsure through 2025. This includes an increase in the amount of tax credits MNsure enrollees will receive to help them pay for their health insurance premiums and an expansion of tax credits to middle-income Minnesotans whose household income was previously too high to qualify for financial help. For more information about these changes, please refer to this FAQ.
Income changed? You may have new coverage options through MNsure.
Lost or losing health insurance? You may be eligible for a 60-day special enrollment period. This special enrollment period is available year-round to qualifying individuals.
To apply, visit the MNsure website. The website can help you see if you qualify for low- or no-cost coverage or a tax credit. Find out more about eligibility or access the information in another language.
Navigators are available to provide free assistance to help you successfully enroll. Find assistance using MNSure’s Assister Directory.
The Child Care Insurance Directory is a listing of companies and agents that offer different types of insurance policies to family child care providers.
Children’s Dental Services
Children’s Dental Services provides exams and cleanings to children under age 26 and pregnant women of all ages. Most health insurance, including Medical Assistance, is accepted and sliding fee and free services are offered for those without insurance.
Minnesota Low-Cost Health Care Directory
The MN Low-Cost Health Care Directory is a list of low-cost or free physical, mental and dental health care clinics. This directory is compiled by Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota to help uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans find access to affordable health care.
COVID-19 Guidance for Schools and Child Care: This page from the Minnesota Department of Health outlines best practice recommendations and guidance for schools, child care, youth programs, and camps.
COVID-19 testing information and locations can be found on mn.gov/covid19. Minnesota has opened community testing sites across the state. Appointments are recommended to decrease wait times but walk-ins are welcome. Minnesota is also offering four free, at-home rapid tests to every home in Minnesota while supplies last.
Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
The state offers community vaccination sites at the Mall of America and MSP Airport. Appointments are required for children 6 months to 5 years. Find appointments at COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program. Families can all get vaccinated at the same time.
Parents can also visit mn.gov/vaxforkids for more information about vaccines for children.
Check for vaccine appointments at vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at other community locations around Minnesota.
Visit this page to learn more about COVID-19 vaccine, including recommendations for those who are fully vaccinated.
Early care and education workers and their families can refer to this Parent and Family resource guide (Hmong, Somali and Spanish) for help finding supports related to COVID-19, including economic, early care and learning, mental health, and other supports.
Materials and resources for COVID-19 response
The Minnesota Department of Health, in partnership with the Children’s Cabinet, has created communications materials and resources you can share directly with your families and staff. There is also a poster (see links below) you can post in your setting to inform families of ways they can keep your setting a safe space for children, their families, and you and your staff.
Minnesota’s Early Childhood Mental Health System is supporting licensed child care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child care sites may participate in up to 5 sessions of Mental Health Consultation, or up to 1 year for programs enrolled in Parent Aware. Mental Health Consultation focuses on how to support children’s social-emotional development. Sessions include training, supported skill building, active listening, exploration of the child care provider's/teacher's attitudes and beliefs about situations, and problem solving. More details are included on the DHS website.
Additional state guidance on prioritizing the health, safety, and security of yourself, your staff, and the children and families in your care is below.
Minnesota Unemployment Insurance: Visit this page for information about how to apply for unemployment insurance if you have become unemployed or had your hours greatly reduced.
Certain early care and education settings are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of the Inspector General. Licensure creates oversight to ensure child care is provided in a healthy and safe environment, by qualified people, and in a way that meets the developmental needs of all children. Licensed settings include:
Licensed child care centers – Licensed centers are usually located outside the provider’s or caregiver’s home, with larger numbers of children being cared for, and requirements for staff qualifications and training. Centers are licensed and monitored through DHS or a tribal licensing agency. Most Head Start programs in Minnesota are also licensed through DHS.
Licensed family child care - Family child care (FCC) providers usually care for children in their homes. Some family child care programs are located in commercial spaces or places of worship. FCC programs are licensed through DHS and monitored by the county or tribal licensing agency with delegated authority from the Commissioner of Human Services.
Some child care settings are not required to be licensed. This includes people providing care to their own relatives or members of one unrelated family, certain recreation and extracurricular activities, and some programs that operate for limited hours per day or a limited number of days per year. For full details of programs not required to be licensed, see Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.03, subdivision 2.
While licensing qualifies programs to receive payments from Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), in some cases license-exempt providers can also participate in CCAP by meeting certain requirements. CCAP provides financial assistance to help families with low income pay for child care. License-exempt care settings that may participate in CCAP by registering or becoming certified include:
Family, Friend and Neighbor Care - Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) is license-exempt care that an individual provides to their family members or to children from one unrelated family (often friends or neighbors). For more information on FFN care in Minnesota, see this report.
Family, Friend, and neighbor care providers can receive CCAP payments by registering as legal non-licensed providers. To become legally non-licensed, a provider must register with their local county or tribal CCAP agency. Here are some useful resources for legal non-licensed providers:
Certified Child Care Centers - Some license-exempt centers, such as out-of-school-time programs operated in schools, YMCAs, YWCAs, JCCs, and similar settings, may become certified to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). DHS regulates and monitors certified license-exempt child care centers. For the state requirements for certified child care centers around minimum health and safety standards, see Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245H.
For information on background studies, see DHS's Background studies page
For more information about health and safety requirements in licensed and certified settings—including information on becoming licensed or certified, monitoring and inspections, and correction orders and sanctions—see the DHS licensing and child care page.
Public schools, including charter schools, may offer many early childhood education options. These programs are administered by independent school districts with support and resources offered by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Programs include:
Early Childhood Family Education – Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a parenting education program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to kindergarten entrance. Learning opportunities through ECFE may occur in families’ homes, district or community sites, or online, and often include parents/caregivers and children. Check with your local school district to find out what ECFE programs are available in your area.
Early Childhood Special Education – Local school districts offer early childhood special education services for children birth through age 5 who need extra help to learn and grow. More information about developmental milestones, encouraging healthy development, available resources and screening, and how to connect with support are available through Help Me Grow.
School Readiness: Programming is offered by Community Education to children ages 3 to kindergarten entry to prepare children for school success. Children with an identified risk factor such as experiencing homelessness, being on an IEP, being a multilingual learner, or other factors that could impact learning are prioritized for enrollment. Those without an identified risk factor are able to participate on a sliding fee basis.
School Readiness Plus: School readiness plus (SRP) prepares children for success as they enter kindergarten the next year. Through an annual application process, districts and charter schools request to renew or expand seats. SRP offers free programming to children with the same risk factors listed for School Readiness, plus children in foster care. Children who do not have one of the risk factors can attend on a sliding fee basis.
Voluntary Prekindergarten: Voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) prepares children for success as they enter kindergarten the next year. Through an annual application process, districts and charter schools request to renew or expand seats. State law gives priority to schools with higher concentrations of students receiving free and reduced lunch. Children attend free of charge.
About this information
The information provided here reflects the coordinated efforts of the Governor's Children's Cabinet, the Department of Education, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, Minnesota Management and Budget, and other agencies' expertise. Coordinated efforts are ongoing and information will continue to be updated to reflect changes.
Welcome! This page describes resources that may be useful to you as an existing or aspiring early care and education provider. Use the drop-down lists below to find information on topics you are looking for.