Resources
Family child care providers can find resources such as Child and Adult Care Food Program, Bill Tracker, or Family Care Orientation video modules.
Department of Human Services
Department of Human Services has forms and information that family child care providers need to obtain and maintain their licenses. Find required forms for families, program documentation logs, and updates on regulations.
Wayfinder Navigators
Wayfinder Navigators are available to help guide applicants with starting their own child care, or help experienced providers grow their business. Find personalized resources and support.
Guide to Becoming a Family Child Care Provider
Guide to Becoming a Family Child Care Provider (PDF) is a handbook designed to help guide people interested in starting a family child care program and applying for a license.
Family child care orientation video modules
Family child care orientation video modules provide an overview of the DHS licensing process for family child care providers. Learn about the licensing requirements for your home, safe care for infants, ratio and capacity limits, preparing for emergencies, and the health and safety rules.
Child Care Aware of Minnesota
Child Care Aware of Minnesota and its partner agencies support the professional growth of child care providers and programs, offer grants and scholarships, and support for Parent Aware participation. Find your Child Care Aware region or call the statewide Child Care Aware hotline at 888.291.9811.
The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC)
The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) provides free coaching and relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota. CICC offers an extensive list of resources, online courses, podcast “Inclusion Matters,” videos and tip sheets on topics around special needs and inclusion.
MN Help Me Grow
Minnesota Help Me Grow has resources about the development of young children for parents and professionals. These resources include information on developmental milestones, YouTube videos, caregiver strategies to support development, screening and evaluation, and how to talk about developmental concerns. All services are free regardless of income level or immigration status
First Children’s Finance
First Children’s Finance has a range of programs and services specifically designed for child care programs looking to start, improve or expand their business. Services include loans, grants, workshops, business cohort groups, business consulting and financial analysis for child care programs.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website. Find family child care food program sponsors including links to their websites. Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website for detailed information about this program.
Hmong Early Childhood Coalition (HECC)
Hmong Early Childhood Coalition (HECC) is a grassroots, community-based organization dedicated to sharing research and evidence-based practices on early learning. HECC partners with families and community agencies in providing education and advocacy to optimize early learning for Hmong children.
Native nation child care programs
Native nation child care programs and programs caring for Native children can contact Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MNTRECC) at 218.335.8381 or visit their website for information about MNTRECC programs and services.
Bill Tracker
Bill Tracker by Child Care Aware of Minnesota summarizes the progress of bills moving through the Minnesota Legislature. Follow along each week to track bills, committee activities and floor actions related to early care and education.
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is available for support during any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from this secure online platform. A volunteer Crisis Counselor will respond with confidential support at no cost to you.
Mental Health Minnesota
Mental Health Minnesota works to advance mental health and well-being for all, increase access to mental health treatment and services. Find screening tools, resources, referrals and support across Minnesota.
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Health provides general information about reducing lead in drinking water for child care programs. Awareness of environmental concerns and actions that can be taken to reduce adverse effects can help make a quality child care experience. Providers of child care services for Minnesota’s children value their healthy development.
Child Care Aware of Minnesota Northeast and Pine Technical College
Child Care Aware of Minnesota Northeast and Pine Technical College offer professional development training that is Develop-approved. They offer instructor-led and self-paced courses that will fulfill the family child care license training requirements.
Eager-to-Learn
Eager-to-Learn offers a wide variety of Develop-approved courses in an online format. Courses are available both as instructor-led and self-paced to fulfill family child care training requirements for licensing.
The Think Small Institute
The Think Small Institute offers a wide range of learning opportunities which include options for both live instructor-led training and self-paced eLearning courses. Subject matter experts design and deliver high-quality professional development that meets the unique requirements of educators and fulfills licensing training requirement.