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Parent Aware

Intro

Parent Aware offers free tools and resources for families and child care and early education programs. It can help you find child care, options for affording care, and tools and tips to find the right program for your child. Additionally, Parent Aware helps programs continuously improve their quality through Star Ratings and resources. 

Services/Topics
Eligibility

Eligibility

Minnesota families and child care and early education programs, including family child care programs and child care centers licensed by the Department of Human Services or Tribal Nations, certified and uncertified license-exempt public school prekindergarten programs and charter school early learning programs, Early Head Start and Head Start programs. 

Benefits

Benefits

Free tools and resources for families and child care and early education programs. 

Resources
Featured Image
Group of kids playing with cars toys sitting on floor at kindergarten.
More Information

Information for families

Looking for child care in your area? Want tips and resources for finding the right program for your child? Parent Aware can help. It provides: 

  • A search tool to find child care programs near you 
  • Information on how to afford child care 
  • Star Ratings to help you identify programs that use research-based practices 
  • Guides and other tips to find the right program for your child
  • Resources on early childhood growth and development, financial assistance, medical programs, nutrition and housing.

Information for programs 

When a child care or early education program participates in Parent Aware, they volunteer for extra training, coaching and professional development to go above and beyond basic health and safety licensing requirements. Learn more about becoming Star Rated by visiting the Parent Aware website below. 

News, updates and upcoming engagements 

Check out the latest news, updates and engagement opportunities for Parent Aware here.  

Parent Aware Ratings 

Parent Aware programs can earn a One-, Two-, Three-, or Four-Star Rating. Parent Aware Ratings are based on demonstrated use of research-based practices. Each Rating level builds on the previous one, helping families easily identify which practices the program is using.

Parent Aware Redesign 

As part of the state's ongoing efforts to promote equity and ensure children receive the best care, we are working with key partners to redesign the program. The Parent Aware Redesign includes multiple projects that center best practices and racial, cultural, linguistic, ability and geographic equity. This multi-year effort will be informed by significant community engagement. 

More about Parent Aware 

Parent Aware is Minnesota’s voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Local Child Care Aware agencies, comprising Minnesota’s child care resource and referral system, provide support for Parent Aware in all counties and Tribal Nations in Minnesota. Parent Aware offers tools and resources to help families find quality child care and early education, help programs improve their practices, and help children benefit from care and education that will prepare them for school and life. The state is directed to provide a quality rating and improvement system under Sec. 124D.142 MN Statutes. 

For more information or to use our free online search tool visit ParentAware.org. Personalized help is available by calling 888.291.9811 or by using the website’s chat feature.