This is a great day for Minnesota children and their families!

12/16/11: Minnesota is one of nine states that will share $500 million in grant money won in a high-profile competition intended to jump-start improvements in often-overlooked early childhood programs. The money to aid the nation's youngest learners is part of the Obama administration's cornerstone education initiative -- the "Race to the Top" grant competition -- which has states competing for federal dollars to create programs that make schools more effective.

With half of Minnesota children currently unprepared for kindergarten, Minnesota will be able to move forward to implement visionary early education reforms. This announcement shows that the nation is taking notice of Minnesota's bold early education reforms.

This grant will bring the Parent Aware Ratings statewide, to help parents find the child care providers in their community that are using best practices for preparing children for kindergarten. The ratings will empower parents in their childcare shopping, and ensure that taxpayers get a higher return on their investment in childcare assistance programs.

Tuesday, August 10, 2011, St. Paul. Governor Dayton has appointed Resources for Child Caring's Executive Director, Barbara Yates, to chair the 22-member Early Learning Council he established earlier this year. This affirms the Governor's commitment to making quality early childhood education a priority for his administration early childhood education. The Council's role will be to advise the governor on how to increase access to high quality state and federal early childhood care and education programs for all Minnesota learners - including those who are part of underrepresented and special programs.

Early Learning Council Appointees

Saint Paul Blast Off to Kindergarten!

Dedicated to making sure all children in Saint Paul are ready for kindergarten!

Check out their website for more information about getting kids ready for kindergarten: http://www.blastofftok.org

New Crib Standards Q & A from the US Consumer Product Saftey Commission

Please see attached supplemental crib standard Q & As: Click this link for USCPSC's Q & A. Just released from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Please forward to any additional child care organizations as appropriate.

Note all crib safety and crib standard guidance/publications can be found on the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov/cribs.