Child care and early education: Program overviews

These programs help make quality child care affordable for income-eligible families, and support efforts to improve the overall quality of care across Minnesota.

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers
Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers offer legal unlicensed child care to many families. FFN providers are a frequent choice of care for parents with infants and toddlers, parents in diverse cultural and ethnic communities, and parents working non-standard hour jobs. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, FFN providers have been a critical source of support for families’ child care needs. The state of Minnesota recognized the need to support FFN providers as vital contributors to the state’s early care and education infrastructure, directing $1 million in federal CARES Act funds to local agencies working with FFN providers.

Between September 2022 and June 2023, the department designed and implemented an environmental scan of FFN child care in Minnesota. The purpose of the study was to learn about FFN caregivers and families who use FFN care in Minnesota to better support and communicate with caregivers and families. This report summarizes findings and includes recommended policy actions.
Starting in July 2022, community organizations across the state will receive $2.9 million in order to provide training and support to friends, grandparents, and neighbors who provide child care for the youngest Minnesotans. To see what support is available in your area, including contact information, view the FFN Grantee Location Map below.
Reports
- Program Report: Family Friends, and Neighbor Grant Program (DHS-8497C-ENG) (PDF), published February 2024
- Family, Friend and Neighbor Providers: Supporting Minnesota's Infrastructure of Care (DHS-8257-ENG) (PDF), published April 2022
For more information, please contact: gaylene.spolarich@state.mn.us.
Parent Aware
Parent Aware is Minnesota’s quality rating and improvement system for child care and early education programs. Parent Aware recognizes and rewards child care providers for using best practices by offering a Four-Star Rating scale that is posted on ParentAware.org. Providers can learn more about this program by calling 888-291-9811 or visiting ParentAware.org, or by visiting the state's Parent Aware website.

More about Parent Aware:
- As part of the Minnesota Department of Human Services' ongoing efforts to promote equity and ensure children receive the best care, we are working with key partners to redesign the program. The Parent Aware Redesign includes multiple projects that center best practices and racial, cultural, linguistic, ability and geographic equity. This multi-year effort will be informed by significant community engagement. Sign up for email updates on the Parent Aware Redesign and email questions to dhs.child.care@state.mn.u
- Child care providers can connect with staff or attend an event to learn more about Parent Aware at Your Support Team webpage.
- Child care providers can apply online for Parent Aware at Developtoolmn.org, Minnesota's Quality Improvement and Registry Tool.
Minnesota's Professional Development System

Provides high quality professional development resources for child care and early education professionals across Minnesota. These include training, coaching, consultation and financial support to attain credentials and degrees. To register for courses visit Develop, The Minnesota Quality Improvement & Registry Tool and/or Eager-to-Learn, where online classes are offered through Child Care Aware of Minnesota.
Search for quality child care providers

Helps families find the quality care and education their children need to succeed in school and life. Parent Aware rates Minnesota programs on a scale of One- to Four-Stars, allowing families to easily identify the programs using research-based best practices for successful learners. Visit ParentAware.org for information on rated programs and earning Parent Aware ratings.
Serving children with special needs

The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, modeling and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota. A coach will partner with your program to provide support focused on the successful inclusion of children with special needs or challenging behaviors, implementing health and safety best practices and/or supporting the unique needs of infants and toddlers in your care. For more information, visit CICC's webpage, email CICC at info@inclusivechildcare.org, or call 651/603-6265 for more information.

The Child Care Assistance Program can pay a higher rate for children with special needs if children require higher levels of care for their age due to a physical, behavioral or medical disability. The disability must be documented, and the provider must explain why the child needs a higher than normal level of care, what their extra costs are and what steps they have taken to meet those needs. To ask for a special needs rate for an individual child, the parent and provider must complete the CCAP Special Needs Rate Variance Request DHS-4194 (PDF), include proof of the child's special needs due to disability and submit the form to the child's case worker.

Guide to Creating Inclusive Child Care Spaces
There are easy steps and resources child care providers and early educators can take to make their spaces more inclusive to children with disabilities. Creating Inclusive Child Care Spaces is a guide to help providers think more inclusively about children with disabilities, and provides easy to access steps and free resources to improve care for children with disabilities. Creating inclusive spaces is especially important for children with disabilities, whose families often struggle to find care who meet their needs. As an educator you can positively impact these families and grow your business by providing quality child care. Learn more by reading the guide.