Benefits for Child Care Providers/Early Educators

Increased Quality
Marketing Opportunities
Marketing Toolkit (including press materials, banners, and certificates of honor)
Community Recognition
Media Attention
Attention of New Families
Access to Scholarship Programs -- Families in your area may be awarded scholarship dollars which can only be used with quality rated programs.
Mentoring/consultation services
Targeted training/educational opportunities
Business Training and Consultation
Curriculum and child assessment supports

Why should my program participate?

Eighty-seven percent of parents surveyed say they would find a quality rating system helpful and would, in fact, use it. Getting your program in on the “ground floor” as the system is developed allows you to demonstrate proudly that you are delivering the best in care or are on the road to reaching this excellence. Low-income families in your area may receive early childhood scholarship dollars or allowances which can only be used with approved programs. Additional improvement supports and resources will be made available to all participating programs working toward increased quality.

We are here to help you begin this exciting process and applaud you for your commitment to quality!

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.

However, programs that opt for the shorter provisional rating process are encouraged to upgrade to a full rating as soon as possible. If a provider does not upgrade from the temporary provisional rating to a full rating, they will not qualify for improvement supports, marketing assistance, and valuable feedback gained through onsite observation. Provisional ratings will expire on June 30, 2009.

What can the Parent Aware Rating Tool do for me if my program is full?

Quality rating is a national trend that is gaining momentum in Minnesota. To let parents and families in your community know that you are fully committed to preparing their children for school, and that the children in your program are receiving the best care available is well worth the effort. Additional improvement supports and resources will be made available to all participating programs working toward increased quality.

How can I become involved?

Child care providers/early educators in the pilot areas may volunteer to participate in the program. A provider resource specialist will be assigned to help you through the process. To get started, visit the enrollment page and fill out the online form to have one of our staff members contact you.

Attend an Orientation