Northwest Minnesota Child Care Collaborative
Communities across Northwest Minnesota are experiencing a child care availability crisis that is impacting businesses and employers, children and families, and community vibrancy.
We’re not afraid to ask the hard questions, involve the right players, and work as a team to connect all the dots. Because making a positive impact takes vision, bold action, and long-term commitment.
Our shared goal is to increase the availability of quality child care slots in Northwest Minnesota.
Click on the map at your right to see the current state of child care in our region. Clicking on each county will provide the data to show the numbers of available child care slots and the need that is not yet being met.
Figures shown are based off of numbers provided by First Children’s Finance in 2022.
Learn more about how to become a child care provider
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has comprehensive information on its website to assist you as you explore this career path.
If you are considering starting a licensed family child care in your home, we recommend starting with this link here that provides information and resources specific to that option.
Frequently asked questions
What financial resources are available to assist child care providers in Northwest Minnesota?
First Children’s Finance provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs.
Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota.
Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MN TRECC)
Offers grants, resources, technical
What other tools and resources are available to help me as a child care provider?
Parent Aware
$1,000 – for programs that complete 20 hours of Building Quality coaching
$2,500 – for programs that earned a 1-2-3 Star Rating
Child Care Aware
Start-Up grants: Available throughout the year. The maximum amount is $1,000 for family providers and $2,500 for centers.
Child Care Services grants: The application is available from September 1st through September 25th each year. The maximum amount is $1,000 for family providers and $2,500 for centers
Emergency grants: These are available throughout the year. There is no maximum amount; amount award is based on funding that is available.
What grants might be available?
Helping children succeed in school and life by supporting the professional growth of child care providers and connecting families to quality child.
Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MN TRECC)
The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and Families within the state of Minnesota.
The Center for Inclusive Child Care
Provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota.