Early Childhood Connector Article Archive

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The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families is making updates to the way Parent Aware awards Star Ratings.

March is National Nutrition Month, an annual observance that encourages everyone to adopt a healthy eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods. As a child care provider, you play a critical role in creating long-lasting healthy eating habits.

In Minnesota, newborns receive a hearing screening before they leave the hospital, and 99% receive a screening. Hearing loss (or hearing difference) is one of the most common conditions identified through newborn screening. As a caregiver, you may notice if a child seems to have hearing loss and suggest a referral. Early hearing detection and intervention is important to help support infants gain the language and communication skills they need to thrive.

We're sure many of you are tracking the news on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the federal government’s actions to freeze Minnesota’s child care payments. We recognize the alarm and questions this has raised. Here's what you need to know.

We recognize the impact that recent federal immigration enforcement efforts, federal actions, and attention on the Child Care Assistance Program is having on Minnesotans. We’re reaching out to share resources that may be helpful to you.

January is Birth Defects Awareness Month, a time to promote healthy pregnancies, highlight ways to reduce the risk of birth defects, and share resources for children living with birth defects and their families.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has created a series of toolkits to help teach about the differences related to cultures and food. 

Choosing the right early learning setting is an important step for families with young children. The Head Start and Public Preschool Referral program is a simple, statewide tool that helps families explore early learning opportunities and begin planning for their child’s education.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for child care providers to interview about our website, dcyf.mn.gov.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released the legislatively mandated Child Care Regulation Modernization Legislative Report.

The Child Care Services Division will soon release a $1.9 million Request for Proposal (RFP) for pre-design, design, construction, and renovation of early learning program facilities across the state. Facilities must be owned by a state agency or political subdivision that will also serve as the lead applicant.

As temperatures drop, it’s important to stay mindful of fire and carbon monoxide safety in our programs and homes. The DCYF Licensing Division works closely with the State Fire Marshal team to share important safety information with providers and families.

Infant Safe Sleep Week is Nov. 16-22. The Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging all infant caregivers to tune into what pediatricians are saying about the best ways to keep babies sleeping safely. 

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development welcomes Carla Vita as the Director of Child Care and Community Services, leading the Child Care and Energy Transition Offices.

Starting July 1, 2026, all child care programs that are licensed and in good standing will receive a One-Star Parent Aware Rating.

A new early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Marketing Toolkit is now available to help programs across Minnesota reach more families and promote the value of ECFE in their communities.