Child care and early education: Policies and procedures

The Child Care Assistance Program helps families with low incomes pay for child care so that parents can work or go to school, and children have more opportunities to thrive as learners. Find tips on how child care assistance works, including billing and meeting program requirements.

• Early Learning Scholarships may be available to help pay for child care. Scholarships are available to families with low incomes who have children between 3 and 4 years old. Scholarships must be used at Parent Aware programs rated with three or four stars.
• The Minnesota Department of Education has additional information on the Early Learning Scholarships program at education.state.mn.us.
• Information for Child Care Providers: How Early Learning Scholarships Work with the Child Care Assistance Program DHS-7056 (PDF) provides information on how to layer funds, document third party payments and assist families in accessing scholarships.

Legal nonlicensed providers who are reimbursed for child care costs by the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and serve at least one unrelated child must be monitored annually for compliance with health and safety requirements. Results of those visits must be posted publicly.

• Child Care Aware regional grants are available on a competitive basis, helping child care programs improve the safety and quality of their programs. For more information, visit Child Care Aware's grant program website, or contact the local grant administrator using the Child Care Aware's Local Resources website. 
• Child care providers may be eligible for higher education scholarships through the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Minnesota program. To learn more, visit Child Care Aware's T.E.A.C.H. website, or call the Child Care Aware Coordinating Office at 651-290-9704. 
• Child care providers may be eligible for scholarships to earn a Child Development Associate credential. To learn more, visit Child Care Aware's CDA Scholarship website or call the Child Care Aware Coordinating Office at 651-290-9704. 
• Financial bonuses are available through the R.E.E.T.A.I.N (Retaining Early Educators Through Attaining Incentives Now) program, aiming to keep strong, well-trained child care providers in the field. For more information, visit Child Care Aware's bonus reward website.

• Reimbursement for half of the direct cost of child care center and family child care accreditation may be available. For information on the process visit the Accreditation Fee Reimbursement Request for Child Care Program (DHS-7683) (PDF). For questions, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Development Services Unit at 651-431-3809 or email ccs.ops.dhs@state.mn.us. 

• Local Child Care Aware programs may have grants available to help with the accreditation process. Contact your local Child Care Aware agency by calling 888-291-9811 or visiting Child Care Aware.

If you hold one of the accreditations below, you may be able to receive higher rates for higher quality care when serving children receiving subsidies through the Child Care Assistance Program. In addition, your program can pursue a fast-track Parent Aware rating through the Accelerated Rating Pathway process, and apply for reimbursement of half of the direct cost of accreditation fees.

• Approved accreditations include:
  • Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE)
  • American Montessori Society (AMS) School Accreditation
  • Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Accreditation
  • Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) – Montessori School Recognition
  • Cognia Early Learning Accreditation
  • Council on Accreditation (COA) – Out of School Time (CYD-OST) 
  • Council on Accreditation (COA) - Private Out-of-School time (OST) 
  • Council on Accreditation (COA) – Early Childhood Education (CYD_ECE) 
  • Council on Accreditation (COA) – Private Early Childhood Education
  • Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services (GAACS) – Early Education Center (EEC) Accreditation
  • Green Apple Accreditation of Children's Services (GAACS) - Enrichment Program Accreditation
  • Head Start Performance Excellence and Quality Recognition Program 
  • Ignite SAC Accreditation Program
  • Lumen Accreditation from the Catholic University of America
  • Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (MNSAA)
  • National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early Care and Education Programs Accreditation
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation
  • National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Commission, Inc. (NECPA) 
  • National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)
  • National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)

Use the CCAP Quality Differential Rate Request Form DHS-4795 (PDF) to identify qualifying credentials and/or accreditations and request the higher rate.

Accrediting organizations can apply to have their accreditation approved by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The application process is open each summer, with applications due by August 15. Accrediting organizations interested in applying should send an email to dhs.ccap@state.mn.us. Read the this accreditation approval process Frequently asked questions DHS-6450 (PDF) document to learn more.

• One source for loans and business development training and technical assistance is First Children’s Finance, a nonprofit community development financial institution.
• Help is available for child care providers and early educators to grow, learn and build strong businesses. Use Child Care and Education: Help for You at Every Stage DHS-7640 (PDF) to find a summary of the supports and services in Minnesota.