The Department of Human Services (DHS) Licensing Division has a critical role in monitoring and supporting health and safety in approximately 10,600 licensed child care programs in Minnesota. Licensure provides the necessary oversight mechanisms to ensure child care is provided in a healthy and safe environment, provided by qualified people, and can meet the developmental needs of all children in care.
Licensing requirements for child care centers help protect the health and safety of children by requiring that providers meet minimum standards for care and physical environment. The requirements are in law and published by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Licensing requirements for family child care providers help protect the health and safety of children by requiring that providers meet minimum standards for care and physical environment. The requirements are in law and published by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Legislative requirements for certified license-exempt child care centers help protect the health and safety of children by requiring that providers meet minimum standards for care and physical environment. The requirements are in law and published by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Sign up to receive communications from the Early Childhood Connector, a cross-agency effort to provide updates to child care providers and early educators in Minnesota. By signing up, you can expect to receive a quarterly newsletter highlighting resources, supports and updates on child care and early education from the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet and Departments of Education, Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families. Content will be tailored to licensed and nonlicensed child care, Head Start, and prekindergarten programs. In addition to the Early Childhood Connector newsletter, occasional updates will be sent.
The Minnesota Children’s Cabinet and the Departments of Education, Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families offer quarterly Early Childhood Connector provider calls to child care providers and early educators in Minnesota.
The purpose of Connector Calls is to answer clarifying questions related to legislation, licensing, programs, grants and more from providers and improve state communications. Calls are recorded and available on the Early Childhood Connector webpage.
Educators of all types are invited to these calls. We welcome questions from licensed programs, certified centers, exempt programs, legally nonlicensed providers, Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers, and individuals interested in starting a child care business.
The next call will be on Tuesday, April 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. Central Time. During the call, state staff will answer questions related to legislation, licensing, programs, grants and more. The purpose of the call is to answer clarifying questions that providers may have. Educators of all types, from licensed to Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers, are invited to these calls.
Early Childhood Connector Call details
Next call date: Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. Central Time
Purpose: For the state to answer clarifying questions for child care providers and early educators. The state will not address individual grievances during this time.
Please save the date and meeting link on your own calendar; the state will not send a meeting invite. The call will be recorded and temporarily available to folks who are not able to attend.
On a quarterly basis, the state is hosting Connector Calls with child care providers and early educators to answer questions related to legislation, licensing, programs, grants and more. The purpose of the calls is to answer clarifying questions that providers may have. Whether you've attended every call or none, we want to know your feedback on Connector Calls! Please fill out the short Early Childhood Connector Call survey. Your answers are anonymous and will help the state improve Early Childhood Connector communications. Your feedback is appreciated!
Child Care Regulation Modernization
In 2021, the Minnesota legislature passed legislation and allocated federal funding to support regulation modernization projects for both licensed family child care and child care centers. Visit the Child Care Regulation Modernization page to learn more about these ongoing efforts.
Child Care Systems Transformation
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has begun a child care systems transformation initiative to improve and integrate the information technology systems used for the licensing, certification, and Child Care Assistance Program registration of child care providers in Minnesota. A new system will be implemented for child care licensing and Child Care Assistance Program registration at both the state and county level. Visit the Systems Transformation Initiative page to learn more.
Alternate child care licensing models
In 2021, the Minnesota legislature directed the Department of Human Services to review child care models that are not currently allowed under state statutes and make recommendations on new model(s) that could address the state's child care needs. The Alternate Licensing Models Report outlines the department's findings and recommendations.
Below is a link to a Mandated Reporter Training that was created by the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy. Use of these training videos is optional and can be used by child care providers as part of meeting the requirements for training.
The training is a self-paced learning module designed for various professionals who must make a report if suspected or known child maltreatment has occurred. This training features videos, quizzes, and activities that can be completed through self-study.
If a child is in immediate danger, contact 911 immediately. If the child is not in immediate danger, call 651-431-6600 to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child in DHS licensed facilities. To make a report of suspected maltreatment in family child care or child foster care, call your local county child protection agency.
