Early Learning and Child Care
Education and child care resources for children and families.
Learn more: Finding Child Care: A Guide for Families
Online Child Care Search and Phone Support (all ages)
Use the Parent Aware online child care search or call 1-888-291-9811 to talk with a specialist that can help families find the quality child care, preschool and other early education programs their children need to succeed in school and life (multilingual services available).
Early Head Start (For ages: Birth through 2 years)
Home visiting or center-based services and programs for low-income families with infants and toddlers that support child development, parenting skills and self-sufficiency.
School District Preschool Programs (For ages: 3 and 4-year-olds)
Public preschool programs help preschool age children prepare to enter kindergarten. Search for local program options in your area. Or complete this online referral form (this form is shared with Head Start and school district programs).
Head Start (For ages: 3 through 5 years)
Services and programs that prepare low-income families with preschool children (ages 3 - 5) for their transition to public school kindergarten and to support child development, parenting skills and self-sufficiency. Complete this online referral form to get connected to your local Head Start program.
Early Childhood Family Education (For ages: birth through 5 years)
Early Childhood Family Education is a program that provides classes and services for families and their children between the ages of birth to kindergarten. Some districts also offer classes for expectant families and those with children up to third grade.
Kindergarten is available to all children who turn 5 on or by September 1 of the current school year. Enrolling children in kindergarten provides them with a safe, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment and the opportunity to receive a world-class education.
Outdoor and Nature-based Programs
Learn more about nature-based resources available in Minnesota for children and their families.
Learn more: Paying for Care Resources
County program that helps families with low income pay for child care while they go to work, look for work or attend school. Apply Online using the MN Benefits application.
Financial support to help families with the highest needs access quality early childhood programs for their children up to age four. Complete an application on-line.
This program helps low income, college students who have young children pay for child care while the student attends classes.
Minnesota’s public libraries are community hubs where people of any age can borrow or download books, use a computer, attend a class or program, meet with colleagues, study with friends, or just relax in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Checkout a free MN State Park pass at participating libraries
The Department of Natural Resources is collaborating with public libraries across the state to provide free, seven-day state park passes for checkout. Each library system has their own process for checkouts, call ahead to find out if a pass is available near you. Use your library card to get the pass, display it on your vehicle’s dashboard while in the park, and visit any state park or recreation area in Minnesota! Valid for park entry only, camping and tour fees still apply.
- Center for Inclusive Child Care
- Family, Friend and Neighbor Child Care Provider Resources
- Child Care Wayfinder (for providers)
- CCAP Child Care Provider Guide
- Outdoor Air Quality Guidance
- Developmental and Social Emotional Screening Marketing Tool Kit
Child care providers and early educators serving Minnesota families can sign up to receive a new quarterly newsletter. Subscribe to the Early Childhood Connector on the Department of Child, Youth, and Families website.
