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Parent Aware Standards and Indicators

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Parent Aware Standards and Indicators are the quality measures used to award Star Ratings. The new set of Standards and Indicators will begin July 1, 2026. Until then, Parent Aware will continue to use the current Standards and Indicators. 

​To learn more about the differences between the 2016 and 2026 Standards and Indicators, see our Summary of Changes (February 2026). 

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About Parent Aware and Standards and Indicators 

​Parent Aware is Minnesota’s voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Child care programs that participate in Parent Aware volunteer for extra training, coaching and professional development to go above and beyond basic licensing requirements. Programs can receive a One- to Four-Star Rating based on research-based best practices, called Standards and Indicators.  

​Standards are key features that reflect best practices. They are based on years of research that has shown these practices make a difference for children. 

​Indicators are specific activities we can observe or measure during the Rating process to determine whether a Standard has been met.