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.
One source for loans and business development training and technical assistance is First Children’s Finance, a nonprofit community development financial institution.
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 programs with a Three or Four star Parent Aware Rating.
Additional information on the Early Learning Scholarships program can be found at education.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 visit 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)
Accrediting organizations can apply to have their accreditation approved by the state of Minnesota. 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 accreditation approval process Frequently asked questions DHS-6450 (PDF) document to learn more.
Technology Grants will help licensed child care businesses access technology to improve business management practices. Priority will be given to child care businesses that currently have no or limited technology resources, and particularly to those in Child Care Access Equity areas. For more information, visit the First Children’s Finance Child Care Grants webpage, email First Children’s Finance at grants@firstchildrensfinance.org, or call (612) 473-6020.
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.
The Great Start Compensation Support Payment program was signed into law in May 2023, providing Minnesota with a permanent program designed to support the child care industry and child care workers. Great Start Compensation Support Payments are available to all eligible providers on a monthly basis. Visit the Great Start Compensation Support Program website for more information.
Legal nonlicensed providers must be monitored annually for compliance with health and safety requirements. Results of those visits must be posted publicly.
Library of recent DHS Bulletins, the official communication to inform county and tribal staff, as well as other department business partners, about program changes and required actions by workers and partner agencies.
