Child Care Aware of Minnesota

10/08/2026

Are you thinking about starting a child care program? Or looking for resources to sustain or expand your existing child care program?

Child Care Wayfinder is a one-stop navigation network for starting and growing child care programs. Child Care Wayfinder can connect you with a Navigator to offer personalized support to help child care programs succeed.

Visit the ChildCareWayfinder.org to learn more!

10/07/2026

Explore these Eager-to-Learn courses for October!

Continue our Trauma-Responsive Care Series with "Supporting Babies and Toddlers on their Path to Resilience." This is the second course of this series about providing trauma-responsive care in an early learning setting. (KCF IX)
This course takes place on October 22. Register by October 16: https://app.developtoolmn.org/register.aspx?evid=461150

"Child Development: Understanding How Genes and Environment Interact" explores how genes and environment interact to influence early childhood development. (KCF I)
Register by November 2: https://app.developtoolmn.org/register.aspx?evid=461151

10/06/2026

Complete the Market Rate Survey today to help families and influence child care policy!

Every three years, the State of Minnesota is required to conduct a market rate survey and gather rate information from all child care programs. This is your opportunity to provide important information to families looking for child care and to inform reimbursement rates for the Child Care Assistance Program.

Participate today by logging in to the Provider Update Tool and completing the pop-up survey.
https://stage.worklifesystems.com/program/47

New to the Update Tool? To activate your Update Tool account, email [email protected] and include your program’s license ID or certification number, zip code, and a current email address. Our team will reply with your login information and directions to access your account. Once your account is active, you’ll have immediate access to the information displayed in your profile.

Child Care Aware of Minnesota Helping children succeed in school and life by supporting the professional growth of early childhood educators and connecting families to quality child care. Latest Blog Post Child Care Aware of Minnesota Welcomes Candace Yates as Executive Director Child Care Aware of....

10/02/2026

REETAIN Bonus applications are now open to family child care educators!

REETAIN Bonuses help supplement income for early childhood educators who demonstrate dedication to the field and their own professional development. Bonuses are competitive and awarded annually. The application will close at midnight on November 30. Technical support, including account access and password reset assistance, will close at 5 p.m. on November 30.

Visit the REETAIN Bonuses page to learn more about eligibility and the application process.

https://www.childcareawaremn.org/providers/grants-and-scholarships/reetain-bonuses/

Child Care Aware of Minnesota Helping children succeed in school and life by supporting the professional growth of early childhood educators and connecting families to quality child care. Latest Blog Post Child Care Aware of Minnesota Welcomes Candace Yates as Executive Director Child Care Aware of....

09/28/2026

The TEACH Early Childhood® Minnesota Apprenticeship Program supports early childhood educators as they expand their skills by bringing college learning straight into an early childhood classroom. Our apprentices earn an industry-recognized credential or degree while working.

Interested in joining our next group of apprentices and mentors? Visit ChildCareAwareMN.org/teach to learn more and get started! Interested employers, mentor candidates, and apprentice candidates must inquire by October 13 to start apprenticeship during the spring semester.

09/25/2026

Are you a director or leader of a child care center? Leading from the Center is an upcoming conference for center directors!

This conference is hosted by Child Care Aware of Minnesota Northeast and will take place on October 2 at Pine Technical and Community College in Pine City, MN. Explore a variety of leadership-focused breakout session topics, including communication skills, coaching, workplace culture, and managing multiple priorities.

The registration deadline for this conference has been extended to Monday. Register soon to secure your spot!

View the informational flyer to learn more and register:

https://pine.edu/wp-lib/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Leading-from-the-Center-2026.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawUjdplleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMUJlYXhmcGZXa2V2aldDZTBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEedC68C73siq3fBpoS4TwbYh-4jTWtHmsKr2xb3VQVOn3bRgbJauFQPpgme_4_aem_jZ_hXwUYNpP4sjU93Y3hIw

09/17/2026

The MNCDA combines required training with personalized support to help early educators earn the nationally recognized CDA® Credential. No matter where you are in your early childhood career, if you are interested in earning a CDA® Credential, the MNCDA may be right for you.

MNCDA training modules are offered at a low cost for a limited time! Plus, you'll receive free materials like the required CDA® Competency Standards book and flashcards to help you study. CDA Awards are available to cover the application fee.

Registration for the upcoming MNCDA trainings is open now! These trainings will fill up fast, so register right away. You can register on Develop by searching "MNCDA."
https://app.developtoolmn.org/v7/trainings/search

09/11/2026

This series is a deep dive into trauma-responsive care for infants and toddlers, with concrete strategies for incorporating these practices into your program. Organized into six sessions, this series focuses on understanding trauma and trauma-responsive care, the influence of trauma on infant/toddler development, trauma-responsive care strategies and practices, ways to support family resilience, and strategies to strengthen caregiver wellness and well-being.

The second course in this series, "Supporting Babies and Toddlers on Their Path to Resilience," takes place on October 22. Register by October 16. Learn more and register at EagertoLearn.org/find-courses

09/03/2026

Empower to Educate helps current and aspiring early childhood educators begin, advance, and sustain their careers in child care. When you join Empower to Educate, you receive financial support to help you complete the necessary training requirements. Participants receive a $300 stipend to help cover training-related expenses and a $600 bonus after working in a Minnesota child care program for six months.

To learn more or get started, reach out to your local Workforce Advisor through the interest form on the Empower to Educate webpage.

https://www.childcareawaremn.org/providers/professional-development/empower-to-educate/

08/28/2026

When candidates talk with voters, they're hearing which issues matter most to their communities. Election season is a critical opportunity to elevate the importance of accessible, affordable, high-quality child care and ensure it is a priority for elected leaders.

That's why we've created new election resources to help advocates:
🗳️ Register and prepare to vote
🤝 Learn how to engage candidates on child care issues
🛠️ Access practical tools for election season advocacy

Explore the resources and join us in making child care a priority this election season.
👉 https://hubs.li/Q04tJ67G0