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
• Targeted training/educational opportunities
• Business training and consultation
• Curriculum and child assessment supports

Why should my program participate?

Because kids need it and parents want it.

• Up to 90 percent of a child’s brain develops between ages 0 and 5. The quality of care children receive makes a huge difference in nurturing healthy development and preparing them for school and life. Children in rated programs make strong gains. Most importantly, children in highly-rated programs showed significant gains in language and social skills. Bottom line: Ratings help improve kids’ school readiness.

• A recent poll found that 96 percent of Minnesotans believe that “parents should have access to the best available information to help them find quality places to prepare children for kindergarten.” In fact, to date about 44,000 unique visitors have visited the Parent Aware Rating Tool website, and many used the ratings tobetter inform their shopping for child care.

•  Child care providers who participated in the Parent Aware pilot found it to be beneficial as a path to improved quality. An overwhelming 92 percent of those who volunteered to be rated said that Parent Awareimproved their quality.

•  Parent Aware has changed Minnesota child care for the better. The momentum Parent Aware partners and participating child care programs have generated over the last four years has moved Minnesota closer to a supported child care system that recognizes quality.

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?

To get started, visit the contact us page and fill out the online form to have one of our staff members contact you.