About the Parent Aware Rating Tool

The Parent Aware Rating Tool is built upon the understanding that providing high-quality child care and early learning are not easy tasks and the pressures placed on our providers are many. The rating tool is designed to recognize early educators for the quality of care they deliver and build on this quality by supporting their efforts at program improvement.

Bringing together the latest research on children’s learning and the current needs of our community, the Parent Aware Rating Tool will build upon the good work completed by earlier quality rating system planning efforts.

Where will the pilot program take place?

The three-year pilot of the Parent Aware Rating Tool will include licensed child care providers/early educators in five locations: Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties, the City of St. Paul, neighborhoods of North Minneapolis and the Wayzata School District.

How will the pilot program work?

Programs will receive ratings using a point system. Program features in the following areas will be recognized:

• Learning environment and curriculum
• Adult/child interaction
• Staff/provider education
• Tracking child progress
• Children’s health and safety
• Family partnerships

For more information, download:

• Best practices and scoring summary: family child care providers, child care centers.
• Quality Indicators for Full Ratings: family child care providers, child care centers
• Quality Indicators for Provisional Ratings (for both child care centers and family child care)
• List of Approved Curricula [PDF]
• List of Approved Assessments
• Assessment Review Process Form
• Child Assessment Nominations Form
• Curriculum Review Process
• Form for Submitting Curriculum
• Recognized Accreditations
• Getting Ready Checklist: famiy child care providers, child care centers [PDF]
• Provisional Rating Curriculum and Assessment Training Worksheet [PDF]
• Quality Documentation Packet family child care providers, child care centers [PDF]
• Application for Accredited Programs [PDF]

What is a provisional rating and how is it different from a full rating?

The provisional rating is a temporary rating that allows child care/early learning programs to receive a Parent Aware rating quickly, so that families receiving early learning scholarships can participate in your program sooner. The other advantages of the provisional rating are that it requires less paperwork, requires documentation of fewer indicators, and does not require onsite observation.

For more information, please visit the benefits page.

Will there be a cost to participate?

There is no cost to participate in the Parent Aware Rating Tool.

When will the pilot program begin?

Applications will be available in pilot areas beginning July of 2007. Be sure to visit the enrollment page to request an application or more information.

Why is a quality rating system needed?

A kindergarten readiness study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Education found that only 50 percent of Minnesota children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. The good news is that mounting research demonstrates that quality child care can reverse this trend and offer our youngest citizens lifelong benefits. The Parent Aware Rating Tool is designed to raise the number of Minnesota children fully prepared for learning success by empowering child care providers/early educators.

Where can I find more answers?

For more information about the Parent Aware Rating Tool and the pilot program, download our list of frequently asked questions. Be sure to check back often, as we will update the list regularly.