Resources for Parents

Our Referral Service Helps Parents Find Child Care

• Help in locating child care that best meets your family needs.

• Referrals to family child care homes, centers, and preschool programs.

• Information on evaluating and choosing appropriate quality care.

• Information about licensing regulations in Minnesota.

• Information about special services like crisis nurseries, social service agencies, as well as referrals to child caregivers with special needs training and experience (where available in the community).

• This is a FREE service!

• For more information about choosing child care click here.

Call our toll-free referral line at 1-866-511-2244

or visit our on-line referral site at

http://www.mnchildcare.org/internetreferral.php

Types of Child Care

Family and Group Family Child Care

Family Child Care is defined as care being provided in a provider's home and is required by law, to become licensed.  Licensing for family child care is done by the county that the provider lives in.   The process includes a background check, a safety inspection of the home, and some training.  A family child care provider must be 18 years of age or older, physically able to care for children, with a physical exam within 12 months of obtaining their initial license. They are also required to take at least eight hours of additional training each year.  To view the licensing rule visit http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/9502/

To report licensing violations and/or child maltreatment please contact your local county social services 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT

 FAMILY CHILD CARE LICENSING

Family Friend & Neighbor Care

• Many child care arrangements are informal. People may be caring for the children of a friend, relative or neighbor. These folks may be providing care for free or may be receiving payment.

• In Minnesota an individual may care for the children of one unrelated family and the children of related family members without needing a child care license.

Center Based Care

• Parents may also choose care at a child care center. Child Care Centers are licensed by the State of Minnesota.

• A child care center is done at a location other than a residence and generally serves larger numbers of children. 

• Staff at a child care center are required to take on average 40 hours of training each year.

• Visit www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/9503/  for the Minnesota State Child Care Center Rule 90503

• To report licensing violations and/or child maltreatment parents may call 651-296-3971.

Help Paying for Child Care

You may qualify to participate in the Child Care Assistance program offered through the county that you live it.  Contact your county for further information:

Benton  320-986-5087

Sherburne   763-241-2600 or 800-433-5239

Stearns  320-656-6000

Wright  763-682-7417 or 800-362-3667

Great Parent Training Opportunities

Child Care Resource & Referral Trainings

Resource Training and Solutions

Complaints

Who do you call to file a formal complaint against a licensed child care provider or program?

If you have a complaint about a licensed family child care provider please contact your county licensor to file a complaint.

If you have a complaint against a child care center you can do so by calling the State of Minnesota center licensing at 651-296-3971.

Back to Top