Preparation for Child Care Providers

We have compiled a brief list of resources that will help you learn a little more about how to prepare for your participation in the Parent Aware rating process. If you have any questions, or would like more information about how you can participate, visit our contact us page.

How can I prepare my program?

• The Environmental Rating Scale© is a key tool used in the rating process. Becoming familiar with this tool is a great place to begin. For more information about the Environmental Rating Scale, download our F.A.Q. or visit the Environmental Rating Scale Web site.

• The Not by Chance: Child Care that Supports School Readiness trainings are designed to familiarize child care providers with three tools (including the Environmental Rating Scale) which the Minnesota Department of Human Services supports to increase quality in child care. These trainings represent a strong foundation in the indicator areas rated in the Parent Aware Rating Tool.

• Preschool classrooms in center-based child care programs will also be observed using the Classroom Assessment and Scoring System (CLASS)© tool. For more information about this tool, download our CLASS FAQ.

• Accreditation facilitation: One option for reaching the 4-star quality rating level is to become accredited. (List of Recognized Accreditations.) The Minnesota Accreditation Facilitation Project can help your program evaluate if accreditation is the best option for your program, and if you choose to pursue accreditation, can help you do it. For more information, visit http://www.mnaeyc.org/Accreditation.htm.

• Attend an Orientation
  
  Orientation Registration [PDF]

  • Family Child Care
  • Child Care Centers, School-based Pre-k and Head Start
    
    
• Review the Getting Ready Checklist [PDF]
  • family child care providers
  • child care centers

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

The provisional rating is a temporary rating available through June 30, 2009. The provisional rating allows child care/early learning programs to receive a Parent Aware rating quickly, so that families receiving early learning scholarships can participate 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.
Programs receiving provisional ratings are encouraged to apply for a full rating soon after receiving them. Benefits of a full rating include qualifying for improvement supports, marketing assistance, and valuable feedback gained through onsite observation.

Who qualifies for a provisional rating?

Programs must meet all provisional rating indicators and provide a program of at least 12 hours per week in order to qualify for a provisional rating.

Quality Indicators for Provisional Ratings
For family child care programs
For child care centers

How do I apply for a provisional rating?

If your program is preparing to apply for a provisional rating, use the quality documentation form for your type of program. You can obtain this form by clicking the appropriate link, below.  You will also need to complete a Participation Agreement and a Provisional Rating Curriculum and Assessment Training Worksheet.  (The training worksheet is the same for both family child care and centers.)

If your program is school-based, you will need to contact the Minnesota Department of Education, Early Learning Services, for more information about becoming provisionally approved. 

Provisional Quality Documentation Packet and Training Worksheet
For family child care programs
For child care centers
Provisional Rating Curriculum and Assessment Training Worksheet

Teaching Strategies & Materials
Guide to the Curriculum/approval process
Process for Submitting Curricula for Review
List of Approved Curricula

Tracking Learning
Process for Submitting Assessments for Review
List of Approved Assessments